How to restrict respondents by ZIP code?

Some surveys require you to restrict respondents to specific geographic areas. Depending on your respondent source, you can either have our team manage this targeting or set up the screening logic yourself.

1. Predefined panels

Predefined panels are the best option if you want a hands-off approach. Our team handles the heavy lifting, from ZIP code restrictions to complex demographic screening.

• How it works: You provide us with your list of ZIP codes and any additional screening criteria; we will assess feasibility and provide a quote.
• Benefit: Our team manages the entire fieldwork process, including manual quality checks, saving you time and ensuring accuracy.
• Timeline: Please allow at least one business day after clicking Launch for our team to set up the screening logic.

2. Self-serve or external respondents

If you are using a self-serve sample or your own respondents, you can restrict respondents by ZIP code using a calculated variable:

1. Create a ZIP code question: Insert a regular expression question (e.g., Q1) so that respondents must enter their ZIP code in a valid format:

   Please enter your 5-digit ZIP code

   Set the answer regexp to ^[0-9]{5}$, which accepts exactly five digits and nothing else.

   Use a regular expression question rather than a number question so that ZIP codes with leading zeros (such as 02108) are preserved exactly. Anchoring the pattern with ^ and $ also rejects any leading or trailing spaces, so the entered value matches the formula in the next step exactly. This pattern accepts 5-digit ZIP codes only; ZIP+4 values (such as 12345-6789) are intentionally not accepted, which is why the prompt asks respondents for their 5-digit code.*

2. Add a calculated variable: Set up a calculated variable (e.g., Q2) using a formula like this:

   answer(Q1) @ ["90210", "10001", "60601"]
   

   Replace the numbers in quotes with the ZIP codes you are targeting.

3. Add screenout logic: Add a survey flow control of type Screen out. Edit the logic so that the condition is based on answers to previous questions:

   • Question: Q2: Calculated variable
   • Condition: Equal
   • Value: 0

Use the Screen out control type here, not Flag as low quality. A respondent from outside your target area is not a low-quality respondent; they simply do not qualify for the study, so this is a true screenout. Reserve the Flag as low quality control (and the low-quality response filters) for genuine data quality issues.

Best practices

Verify location with geofencing

Because the ZIP code question is self-reported, respondents who are motivated to qualify can simply type in an eligible ZIP code. Do not rely on the ZIP code screenout on its own to keep out respondents from the wrong location.

For a stronger safeguard, also enable geofencing and use the Only allow respondents from within a certain geographic rectangle option. This verifies each respondent’s actual device or IP location, which is much harder to fake than a typed-in ZIP code.

Thorough testing

When using self-serve sample or your own respondents, always test your survey before launching. Verify that a “valid” ZIP code allows entry and an “invalid” one triggers the screenout.

Enable quality checks

To ensure data quality, especially when using external sources, we highly recommend turning on quality checks in your Advanced Settings. This prevents paying for fraudulent or low-effort responses.