Participant recruitment for UX research and usability testing
For UX teams, product owners and research agencies who need people that actually use a product the way the study assumes – and who are technically and substantively ready for the session.
What this service is for
Moderated usability tests, prototype tests, contextual interviews, diary and usage studies and accessibility tests – remotely via video call or in a lab or on site. In every case, what matters is that the behaviour under study genuinely occurs among the participants.
What we need in the briefing
- Research question and format (moderated/unmoderated, remote/on site, duration)
- Product or usage context: which features, how often, since when, on which device
- Required devices, operating systems, browsers or assistive technologies
- Exclusions, e.g. industry, competitor usage, recent study participation
- Desired mix (experienced vs. new users, age ranges, regions) and time slots
- Requirements for consent, recording and confidentiality
What we look for in selection
- Actual usage instead of self-assessment: we ask about concrete, recent situations – what was done last, when and with what.
- Device and environment fit the study: device, operating system and browser match the study’s specified requirements – which may deliberately include older devices if that is the usage being studied – plus a stable connection and a quiet place.
- Accessibility where relevant: if people using assistive technologies should take part, we clarify the tools and needs they actually use in advance – respectfully and without assumptions.
- Readiness for screen sharing and recording is clarified beforehand, not in the session.
- No coaching: we explain the process and the technology, never which answers or click paths are ‘expected’.
Process
- Sharpen the briefing and agree a project-specific screener
- Outreach via our own contacts and suitable channels
- Manual review of every screener response
- Personal phone call: re-check criteria, ask about concrete usage, discuss the tech check
- Scheduling, confirmation and reminders; backups as agreed
- Early notice if individual profiles are hard to reach
What you receive
- Participant overview with the agreed characteristics relevant to the study – data-minimised
- Schedule including a contact route for short-notice questions
- Status updates on progress and transparent notice of any deviations
What drives effort and timing
How common the usage is, how narrow the criteria are, whether special devices or assistive technologies are needed, session length and format, scheduling and lead time. We do not quote flat prices without project context. The project assessment gives a non-binding first orientation; a binding offer follows after personal review.
Reach and team
We recruit across Germany – in major cities as well as smaller towns and rural regions – for remote sessions and on-site appointments. Insight Fox is run by the WMM GmbH team, which has worked in qualitative fieldwork since 2004. Insight Fox was launched in 2026 as its specialised participant recruitment brand.
Frequently asked questions
Can you recruit users of a specific product?
Yes, provided usage can be plausibly verified without a customer list. We ask about concrete usage situations and re-check them by phone. We only use client-provided lists where the legal basis is clarified.
Do you run a tech check beforehand?
We clarify device, connection, environment and willingness to share screens during the phone call. Whether a separate tech test also takes place is agreed per project.
Do you prepare participants for the tasks?
No. We explain the process, technology and logistics – not the content or expected solutions. Otherwise the test would measure how well someone had been prepared instead of examining actual use.