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 typically placed on hold when our automated systems flag inconsistencies in your account information, or if there has been a violation of Prolific's Participant Terms & Conditions. Some common reasons include:
Failing an identity check
Being physically located in a different country from the one listed on your account
Using a VPN or other tools to misrepresent your location
Receiving a high number of rejected study submissions
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
Account activity that does not meet our platform terms
We do not provide specific details about why an account was placed on hold, but if you believe this action was made in error, you can appeal this decision by getting in touch with our Support Team.
How can I remove the hold status on my account?
Contact our Support Team using the Support icon in the bottom right-hand corner, and fill out an Account Appeals ticket. Please ensure that all information in your appeal is accurate and honest. Incomplete or misleading submissions may delay the review or affect the outcome.
Please note: Submitting an appeal does not guarantee your account will be reinstated. It ensures your case is reviewed thoroughly and fairly.
How long will it take for my appeal to be reviewed?
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 four weeks to receive a decision, although it can sometimes take longer than this. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee an exact timeframe for review.
How will I know the outcome of my appeal?
If we determine that your account should not be on hold, the hold will be removed, and your account will be reinstated.
If we determine that your account was correctly placed on hold, this decision is final, and no further appeals or reinstatement will be considered.
In both instances, we will email you to notify you, and you'll receive updates via the Support icon located in the bottom right-hand corner.
💡For more details about our on-hold process—including when an account may be placed on hold, steps to resolve it, and ways to prevent it—as well as guidance on relevant policies and procedures, click here.
You can also read more about data quality, trustworthiness, and account bans on our blog: