So perhaps, theoretically, they are trying to increase the average HIT payment amount. That would benefit Amazon financially, I imagine. (No personal experience of being a requester or the charges involved). Would that sound likely?
I think Amazon gets 10% regardless of whether or not they offer 10,000 2 cent HITs or 1000 20 cent HITs or 100 2 dollar HITs, so I can't see what the difference for them is, financially. However, they may be trying to bring in more high-quality, higher-paying customers, which means they need to have a high-quality workforce ready for that work. That might mean they need a balance more towards people with good-quality English language skills; people who speak English as their primary language. (Please note that this statement does not mean that there are not foreign workers who also have good-quality English skills.)
Yes well your last paragraph there contains the rub for me. The system no doubt assumes that I am a Dutch speaker since my country is Netherlands when in reality I am British with excellent English skills. There should be a way to specify a profile of our skills. IMO.
Probably the best way for this to happen would be for MTurk to broaden the number of qualifications to include tests like an English language qualification. Not necessarily a writing test like write.com has, but something demonstrating that you are proficient in Standard English and can understand most of its subtler nuances and quirks. (I've been told that English is a tough language to master, and I can believe it.)
Those shitty HITs are exactly what is wrong with mTurk. New requesters come in and see these crap HITs that pay 50c/hour and think how awesome it is that they will be able to charge that little. They don't realize that those HITs are sitting there because no one wants to do them. The well-priced HITs get eaten up like a chicken leg in a shark tank. Amazon doesn't want penny HITs. They get 1/2 a cent for penny HITs. They want requesters to spend more which means they have to have the workpool to satisfy those requesters.
If I remember correctly, Amazon's original vision for MTurk would be that it would be a place for people like stay-at-home mothers and retirees to do some quick work and make a few extra bucks. Instead, it's become a virtual clearinghouse for the overseas outsourcing of the scutwork of IT and the Internet to people who are willing to sit for 10, 12, and 14 hours making 40, 50, and 60 cents an hour, because their other option is to starve. It may well be that Amazon doesn't want to run a virtual sweatshop and is trying to figure out how to move back towards its original vision. If so, more power to them.
Sites like Odesk has an English language test. I have used their services before for a job I needed done. (Though never been a requester on mturk, and work I needed done (website type work) would not work as a hit) You can see their score from verbal to written English. Plus many many other qualifiers for almost anything and prior ratings from other people that have hired them.
no, not as far as i know just keep your work standards (and approval rating) high, work for reliable requesters, don't get blocks.
Yeah, it is confirmed. My brother tried to register with Mturk last week through different internet connection, therefore different IP address than the one I am using. All he got was a mail stating: "Greetings from Amazon Mechanical Turk, We have completed our review of your Amazon Mechanical Turk Worker Account. We regret to inform you that you will not be permitted to work on Mechanical Turk. Thank you for your interest in Mechanical Turk. Sincerely, Amazon Mechanical Turk https://www.mturk.com 410 Terry Avenue North SEATTLE, WA 98109-5210 USA" It is confirmed that they have stopped accepting Indian workers.
What do u thnk cud probably be the reason for this ? Multiple account usage from same IP adress or they are just done with hiring the new ones ?
To raise the prices of HITs ? So why would they stop new ones entering into this ? May they wanna limit their workforce from India or any other non-US nation ?!?
Because(I'm generalizing here no offense to anyone) non US-workers will typically do the cheap hits that US workers won't do because of low pay. By severely limiting the non american Turker population, They are hoping to see a drop of these workers (As they stop, get banned for what ever reason etc etc) As that population decreases requesters will need to raise their prices to attract the HITS that US workers wouldn't touch. This has the added benefit of lining Amazon's bottom line as well such they will get a larger fee from each hit. This is entirely my speculation and I could very well be wrong but it's the only logical reason I can think of.
If that is the actual happening then i have reasons to be happy with the case that i"ll be able to do HITs with a higher price than i usually do it now(Though sad my wanna be member folks cant register) In short my earning wud just see another heights whch is so good for me and all hus been doing this till now.Anyone whose turking wud appreciate that coming along to be a truth.I would really wish to hear from Amazon and Mturk on this matter !!
LOL...whch part of the globe r u from ? dont tell me u r from United States..If were uo least try wud have kicked me in the front