Apple initiating "Customer Pulse" market research focus group

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Apple has quietly begun a campaign called "Apple Customer Pulse" to gather market research from select customers through periodic surveys.

AppleInsider reader Brian reports that he received an email from Apple's Market Research department inviting him to fill out a survey on Apple products he owns. After completing the survey, he was invited to become a member of the "Apple Customer Pulse" group.

"Apple values your opinion and invites you to participate in a survey about your Apple products," the email read. "Your responses will remain completely confidential, and results will be viewed only in aggregate. The survey should take five minutes or less to complete."

According to Apple's new website for the Apple Customer Pulse panel, the program will be "an online community of Apple product users who provide input on a variety of subjects and issues concerning Apple." Participating customers will reportedly receive up to two surveys a month.

The AppleCustomerPulse.com domain is owned by MarkMonitor, a brand protection company that Apple has used in the past to manage domain names, while Apple IT manager Kenneth Eddings is listed as the admin contact. MacRumors reports that the site is currently hosted by Socratic Technologies, a San Francisco-based market research firm.

Apple has been known to regularly conduct market research, but the Pulse panel appears to be more extensive than past campaigns, which often consisted of a single survey.

💬 18 Comments

cwfrederick

said about 11 years ago

i got one of those invites. after some demographic questions, the survey asked something along the lines of 'what one thing would you want to change at apple?' FWIW, my reply was:

I love how well designed the products are (especially the aesthetics), and that I don't have to worry that I am going to be suckered by gimmicks.

I would like to see apple be more proactive in conveying the tremendous value that the products present, without any ostentation. Yes, I believe apple products, in their beauty and synergy, do have a magical quality, but they have a very practical quality as well, in the increased quality of life that they afford. As a customer, an apple fan, and a stockholder, this is the direction I think would most benefit apple in how they portray the apple brand to the public. As an apple fan, I appreciate and share the enthusiasm of owning apple products that I see in the commercials. However, those that are new to apple need a more down to earth introduction. Thank you for considering my comments.

suddenly newton

said about 11 years ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwfrederick

Nicely put.
Awaiting my invitation... any day now...

newbee

said about 11 years ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suddenly Newton

Nicely put.
Awaiting my invitation... any day now...

Perhaps your invitation ... and mine ... both got "lost in the mail" ? ... just an oversight, I'm sure.

supremedesigner

said about 11 years ago

Looks fake to me. When I click this link "Would like to join?" and it took me to error page: http://survey.sotech.com/xxxxxx/start.asp?s=1 which it looks like this: http://cl.ly/0F2J1C0S2f2R0y3L3O47

elastic reason

said about 11 years ago

I got an invitation on Saturday night. I have often wondered -- as a 20 year Mac user, and purchaser of every conceivable Apple product with the exception of the mac mini -- if Apple would seek out the feedback of longtime users like myself.

Frankly I was thrilled be asked. My feedback:
Further simplify the syncing of contact objects, calendars and mail, across multiple devices, wireless file transfer and updates.
Don't abandon iWeb give us a Pro version.
Back to my mac has persistent intermittent connectivity issues.
Make bluetooth mouse and keyboard automatic "favorites" so that when i change the battery it doesn't take 20 minutes to be recognized.
Facetime click option from within address book.
Add the ability to send live video to iwork.com for presentations.
Business version of Facetime. The ichat service was neat, but I what really needed a business version.
Apple branded powerful online database tools a'la intuit's quickbase.
More tools for all small business -- not just creative offices.