> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.pulsevoices.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.pulsevoices.ai/profile-and-settings.md).

# Profile and Settings

Your profile does two jobs: it makes sure you can **get paid**, and it makes you **discoverable** for studies. Research teams search the panel for participants with specific demographics, devices, household situations, and AI usage — if a field is empty, you won't show up in those searches.

Open **Profile Settings** from the left navigation. It's organized into two groups: **General** (your account, payment, and personal details) and **Study Information** (the fields that match you to studies).

## Profile

The Profile section holds your account details:

* **Profile photo** — Upload a photo of yourself.
* **Legal name** — Required for payment and administrative compliance. This can be different from a display name.
* **Email address** — All invitations, task notifications, and **payment links** arrive by email. If you signed up with Google, your email comes from your Google account.
* **Delete account** — Also lives here, if you ever need it.

## Payment Info

Payments are currently sent **by email** as Tremendous reward links — you do not need to set up anything in the app to get paid. See [Payments](/payments.md) for how and when payments arrive.

## Personal Info

Fill out the basic demographics section. These fields drive study matching:

* Location
* Birthday
* Gender
* Race and ethnicity
* Languages — you can add more than one
* Education
* Income
* Employment status

## Study Information

These sections make you searchable for studies with specific requirements — for example, a study that needs smart-speaker owners, parents of young children, or daily AI users.

* **Devices** — Add any relevant devices you own or use (phones, computers, smart home devices, wearables, and so on).
* **Children** — Details about children in your household, if applicable.
* **Vehicles** — Vehicle information, when relevant.
* **AI Usage** — How often you use AI tools (for example, multiple times per day).

{% hint style="info" %}
There's no penalty for leaving optional fields blank, but every completed field gives research teams another way to find you. Participants with complete profiles qualify for more projects.
{% endhint %}

## Keeping your profile current

* **Update when things change** — a new phone, a new car, a move to a new city. Stale data can cause mismatches, and inaccurate answers can affect your eligibility for studies.
* **Be accurate.** Profile answers may be cross-checked against screener responses.

## Frequently asked questions

<details>

<summary>Do I have to fill out every field?</summary>

No — there's no penalty for leaving optional fields blank. But research teams find participants by searching profile fields, so every completed field is another way to match you with a study. Participants with complete profiles qualify for more projects.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Why am I not qualifying for studies?</summary>

The most common reason is an incomplete profile — matching depends on your demographics, devices, household, and AI-usage fields. Fill out more of your profile, keep it current, and answer screeners accurately and consistently.

</details>

<details>

<summary>What is my legal name used for?</summary>

Payment and administrative compliance. It can be different from the name you display elsewhere, but it must be accurate so we can pay you.

</details>