How do I know if my account is on hold?

Accounts can sometimes be placed 'On-hold' on Prolific, meaning you can't participate in studies. A banner will appear to notify you if your account has been placed on hold. You can also check this status on your Account page.

Why would my account be on hold?

Accounts are usually placed on hold due to inconsistencies flagged by our automated checks or breaches of our Participant Terms & Conditions. Some common reasons include:

  • Being physically located in a different country from the one listed on your account
  • Using a VPN or other tools to misrepresent your location
  • Creating multiple accounts or sharing an account with another person(s)
  • Providing false information about your identity, location, or experience
  • Misrepresenting your demographic information to access studies you aren’t eligible for
  • Completing studies using large language models (LLMs) or other forms of automation (unless permitted)
  • Selling or purchasing Prolific accounts
  • Manipulating or exploiting the platform, tools, or instructions to gain an unfair advantage or inflate pay

What happens once my account has been put on hold?

Step 1:

A banner will appear to notify you of this action. You'll also be able see this on your Account page.

Step 2:

You'll need to get in touch with us via one of our contact routes:

  • Appeals Form
  • Contact form
  • Chatbot (found on our website & via the blue button in the bottom right corner of the help center)

Step 3:

After You Submit an Appeal

Once submitted, your appeal and account history will be reviewed by a member of Prolific’s Support Team. Given the complexity of these investigations, it may take up to two weeks to receive a decision.

Please note: Submitting an appeal does not guarantee your account will be reinstated. It ensures your case is reviewed thoroughly and fairly.

Step 4:

If Your Appeal Is Successful

If we determine that your account was incorrectly placed on hold, your account access will be reinstated, and we will let you know via email.

If Your Appeal Is Unsuccessful

If we determine that your account was correctly placed on hold, this decision is final, and no further appeals or reinstatement will be considered. We will confirm this in writing via email.

You can also read more about data quality, trustworthiness, and account bans on our blog:

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