Research FAQ

CouchSurfing is frequently contacted by academic researchers interested in learning from our unique community. CouchSurfing is proud of the innovations of its members and, in the spirit of sharing knowledge and insight, is happy to work with these researchers when their goals align with our own non-profit, charitable vision.

Curious? Please read through this FAQ to see if your question has already been answered. If this information isn't what you're looking for, contact us.


Click on a question to see the response. [Show / Hide all responses]

  1. Why does CouchSurfing work with researchers?
    2. Research helps us to serve our mission as research findings can ultimately lead to more inspiring experiences for our members worldwide.
  2. What kind of researchers and schools will CS work with?
    3. We are happy to work with enthusiastic scholars, at the doctorate or post-doctorate level, from non-profit research or academic institutions
  3. What kinds of researchers has CS worked with in the past?
    4. We have worked with undergraduate students, graduate students, and professors from a variety of countries (including Austria, the Netherlands, and the United States), resulting in academic theses and published manuscripts. Please note that we now work only with researchers at the doctorate or post-doctorate level.
  4. What specific research has been done in the past?
    5. Many projects have focused on themes of trust, tourism, and hospitality. Our community offers insight on these topics within the context of changing societies, virtual communities, and novel ways of traveling. Check out this message board to learn more about past projects.
  5. Can I get a copy of the data or conclusions from research done in the past?
    6. You are welcome to contact researchers directly if you are interested in their findings. This message board has a wealth of information on past projects and contact information for their researchers.
  6. What kinds of information do I need to submit in order to do research with CS?

    7. Researchers are required to submit a detailed research proposal to research@couchsurfing.org. Please use this template to make your proposal.

    Additionally, please include the following:

    • A letter from university/course professor (can be an email or a scan of actual letter).
    • Letter of agreement that CouchSurfing will have access & ability to utilize the findings report.
    • Signed Confidentiality Agreement - Please print and then send a scan of the signed agreement by email.

    We will review your proposal and contact you for a discussion.

  7. How does CouchSurfing protect the privacy of its members?

    8. We highly value our members' right to privacy, and all research must follow a strict protocol. We never provide any non-public data without amalgamating and anonymizing it so that it can never be associated with any individual member. Additionally, all identifiable member information is strictly omitted from shared data.

    Please understand that as a general rule, the greater the variety of private data points for each member that CS shares, the more difficult it becomes to ensure the anonymity of CS members. Therefore, CS will not share any member's public data, private data, or activity logs in their entirety. CS will only share a narrow set of data points for each member.

    Read our privacy policy to find out more.

  8. What specific data can CS provide to researchers?
    9. Depending on your data needs, we can provide anonymized quantitative data such as amalgamated content from profiles, public and private trust ratings, and logs of member activity. We may also be able to connect you with people willing to provide qualitative interviews.
  9. Will CS share private member messages or CouchRequests?
    10. CS will not share the full or redacted text of members' private messages or CouchRequests. This is our policy even when we believe that it is possible to ensure the anonymity of those members. CS may be able to share related numeric data, such as word frequency within the aggregated text of messages between many members.
  10. I have a survey I would like CouchSurfers to take. How can I do this?

    11. CouchSurfing offers an internal survey tool which is available only to CS approved researchers. As well as being our preferred method for researchers to contact the community, it is also the only way to reach a representative sample of members. To use this tool for your survey, please submit a research proposal (as described above).

    Most researchers we have worked with have been respectful of our community's posting etiquette. Some, though, have gotten negative reactions by posting links to their surveys in the discussion groups. Please remember that there is a thin line between a survey and unwanted spam.

    CouchSurfing may remove a post of this nature if you decide to use this method. If you still intend to post your survey via the groups, please read these tips in order to avoid accidental spamming. If you contact individual members, please do so respectfully and with individual, personalized messages. Copy-paste messages may be flagged as spam.

  11. How do I find interview partners for a case study?

    12. To interview CouchSurfing members for a case study, you must be representing a non-profit or academic institution. To reach out to members, please contact them individually using a personalized and respectful message. Copy-paste messages or mass group postings may be flagged as spam or removed. When contacting members that you would like to interview, please direct them to this FAQ permalink.

    Any attempts to interview members outside of this protocol will be treated as an abuse of our system and a breach of our Terms of Use.

  12. How can I find official interview partners from the CouchSurfing organization?
    13. Please contact us with your request; you will be directed to the appropriate team depending on the nature of your request.
  13. After I receive my data from CS, what does CS require me to do with my conclusions?
    14. We ask that you provide a summary of your findings so that we can use it to improve the CouchSurfing community and share it with our members or other researchers.
  14. I have done or am doing research about CouchSurfing but never had any contact with the CS organization about it. Are you interested in my work?
    15. Yes, we are very interested in knowing more about your work and results. Please contact us, selecting "Academic Research Requests" as the category. If you would also like to share your work with other researchers, you may do so by posting information about your research on this message board. This is also the best place to network with other researchers.
  15. How can I communicate with the CS organization about academic research?
    16. For all questions concerning external research please contact us, selecting "Academic Research Requests" as the category. Your question will go directly to CouchSurfing's External Research Team.

    As soon as you have compiled a research proposal, you may email it to the CS External Research Team at research@couchsurfing.org

  16. I would like to vounteer for Couchsurfing's External Research Team. How can I apply?
    17. As academic research about CS is growing fast, the External Research Team is continually searching for qualified team members. If you are an experienced researcher and would like to volunteer for this team, please send your application through Couchsurfing's careers page.

Still have a question that this FAQ doesn't answer?
Contact us, selecting "Academic Research Requests" as the category.