Survey panel integration usually comes down to three things: getting the right links set up, passing a respondent ID back so the provider knows who finished what, and sometimes carrying information in through the link itself. None of it requires anything unusual on the panel provider’s side, just a few fields configured correctly.
The Basic Handshake: Enabling Panel Links
In the Survey tab, under Export, there’s a Panel links option. Enabling it generates the survey links you’ll send to the panel provider, one per language the survey form uses.
The panel provider replaces [ID] in that link with their own internal panelist ID. Each time the link is used, a new response gets created.
There’s also a test link, which can be reused as many times as needed. Test link answers are stored but blocked by default, so they won’t show up in reports or exports.
The provider gives back two redirect URLs in return: one for Completes, one for Screen outs.
Passing the Respondent ID Back
Panel providers usually need to know which of their panelists completed the survey, which means the ID they sent in has to come back out in the redirect.
That’s done by using the code {XQID} in the redirect link from the panel provider, in place of whatever placeholder they use (like [SomeID] or XYZ). This returns whatever value was originally sent in as [ID].
Pre-Answering Questions With Link Parameters
Sometimes a respondent shouldn’t have to answer something that’s already known. If someone bought a specific flavor of a product and the survey link is about that purchase, there’s no need to ask which flavor, it can just be pre-filled from the link itself.
This works through XQ-variables. Any custom variable name prefixed with XQ, like XQ41=2, can be added to a survey link, and its value gets saved with the response automatically. No need to define it anywhere in the survey setup beforehand.
From there, that value can populate a hidden question directly, or control which questions a respondent sees at all, which is how a single survey link can effectively run two different surveys depending on what came in through the link.
FAQ
How do I set up survey panel integration with an external provider?
Enable panel links from Survey → Export, share the generated links with the provider, and enter the two redirect URLs they send back (Complete and Screen out) into Survey texts.
How is the respondent ID passed back to a panel provider?
By placing SLWEB_INCLUDES{( XQID )} in the redirect URL. It automatically returns whatever ID the provider originally sent in.
Can a survey link pre-answer specific questions?
Yes, using XQ-variables added to the link. Their values save with the response and can populate a hidden question or control which questions are shown.
Do XQ-variable values need to follow a specific format?
Numerical values are required if the variable will be used in a condition or filter. Alphanumeric values work for displaying text only.
Want to see how link parameters and hidden questions fit together in a real survey? Check out our features page.