Temporary restrictions are short-term blocks that prevent you from accessing studies. They're designed to help you improve your participation quality without risking a permanent ban, giving you a warning and time to adjust before anything more serious happens.
How do I know if my account is temporarily restricted?
A notification banner on your Prolific dashboard shows you:
What triggered the restriction
Whether you're currently warned or blocked
How long any block will last
What happens next
You can also check your Account page to verify your current status. You'll always be explicitly told if a restriction is in place.
Why would my account be temporarily restricted?
Temporary restrictions happen when our automated systems detect quality issues with your participation, most commonly completing studies much faster than expected. These checks protect researchers' data quality and help ensure fair payment for everyone.
Common reasons include:
Exceptionally fast submissions — Completing studies much faster than expected
Other quality concerns coming soon — Behavior suggesting responses aren't thoughtful or genuine
Genuine fast completions, like being screened out, having a study returned, or dynamic-payment studies, are automatically excluded and won't count against you as speeding
Is a temporary restriction the same as a permanent ban?
No, quite the opposite. Temporary restrictions exist to prevent permanent bans. In the past, consistent quality issues might have led straight to a suspension. Now, you get a warning and a short cooldown period first, giving you the chance to reset and adjust before anything more serious follows.
What happens when my account is restricted?
Stage 1: Warning
You'll get an on-screen banner explaining the issue. You can still access studies normally, nothing is noted or flagged on your account, and a warning alone never leads to a ban. This is your chance to adjust.
Stage 2: Temporary Block
If the same issue happens again after a warning, you'll be blocked from accessing new studies for one hour, the standard duration. You can't start or reserve studies during this time.
Stage 3: Automatic Reactivation
Once the restriction ends, your account returns to normal automatically. No action needed, just wait for the timer to run out.
Stage 4: Escalation Risk
Continued quality issues after reactivation may lead to longer restriction periods or permanent suspension.
How long do restrictions last?
Violation Type | Duration |
Standard restriction | 1 hour |
Repeated violations | May be extended at Prolific's discretion |
The exact duration is always shown in your notification banner
How do I avoid temporary restrictions?
Best Practices
Read carefully — Take time to understand each question
Respond thoughtfully — Provide genuine, considered answers
Pay attention — Watch for attention checks and quality questions
Pace yourself — Speeding is the #1 trigger for restrictions. Take a breath and let your natural reading speed guide you; this ensures your work is approved and paid
Avoid automation — Don't use auto-fill or automated response tools
Use the feedback form — if you run into an issue with a study, such as being screened out or a technical problem, select this in the feedback form at the end of the study. This can help ensure you are not incorrectly restricted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I appeal a restriction?
No. Temporary restrictions lift automatically, so no appeal is needed.
Will I still get paid for studies I completed?
Yes. Temporary restrictions don't affect payment for studies you've already submitted.
Do restrictions affect my ability to cash out?
No. You can still withdraw your earnings during a restriction.
What if my study was incorrectly flagged for speeding?
The restriction is temporary, and you will be able to continue with studies once it has lifted. In future studies, make sure to fill out the feedback form at the end of the study if you experience an issue, such as being screened out or a technical issue. This will be taken into account if your study appears to have been completed too quickly, which helps ensure your account is not incorrectly restricted.
Does receiving a speeding warning mean something has been flagged on my account?
No. A warning is just that — a warning. Nothing is noted or flagged on your account as a result of it, and a warning on its own will not put you at risk of a ban. Only if the same behaviour continues after a warning (triggering a Stage 2 block) could further action follow.
For more guidance on submitting a study successfully, see: