Terac Glossary
Definitions of key terms used on Terac.
This glossary explains the terminology you'll encounter on Terac.
A
AI Moderator
Terac's automated interview system. The AI Moderator asks questions, listens to responses, and evaluates answers during voice interviews. It provides a consistent interview experience for all participants.
Approval
When a researcher or our quality system accepts your submission. Approved submissions result in earnings being added to your balance.
Attestation
A verified badge on your profile that proves you meet specific criteria. Types include Government ID, LinkedIn, and Phone. Attestations unlock access to more opportunities.
Auto-Approval
The automatic approval of a submission that a researcher hasn't reviewed within 7 days. When this happens, your earnings are released with no action needed from you.
B
Bonus
An additional payment a researcher can add on top of a study's base reward, often for multi-part or longitudinal studies or exceptional contributions. Bonuses appear in your transaction history.
C
Cash Out
The action of withdrawing your available balance. When you cash out, you request a payout through Virtual Incentives.
Commission
The percentage you earn from referrals. Currently set at 20% of your referral's earnings, up to $1,000 per person.
E
Expert
A verified participant on Terac who completes research opportunities. Also called a panelist.
Earnings
Money you've earned from approved submissions, available in your balance for withdrawal.
G
Government ID
An attestation earned by verifying your identity with a passport, driver's license, or national ID through Persona.
Good Standing
The default state of an account that follows Terac's terms. An account in good standing can browse, apply, complete studies, and cash out normally.
I
Interview
A voice conversation conducted by the AI Moderator. Interviews can be standalone tasks or part of larger submissions.
L
An attestation earned by connecting your LinkedIn profile. Helps verify your professional background.
LiveKit
The audio/video platform that powers Terac interviews. You'll use LiveKit when participating in AI-moderated interviews.
O
Onboarding
The process of setting up your expert profile after creating an account. Includes providing basic info, verifying phone, connecting profiles, and completing ID verification.
Opportunity
A research study available on Terac that you can apply to participate in. Each opportunity has specific requirements, compensation, and tasks.
P
Panelist
Another term for an expert. A verified participant on Terac who completes research opportunities.
Payout
Money transferred to you after cashing out. Payouts are processed through Virtual Incentives.
Persona
The third-party service used for Government ID verification. Persona securely processes your ID document and selfie. Terac does not store images of your ID.
Phone
An attestation earned by verifying your phone number via SMS code during onboarding.
Profile
Your expert profile containing your information, background, skills, and attestations. A complete profile helps match you with opportunities.
Q
Quality Check
Automated review of submissions to ensure completeness and quality before approval.
R
Referral
A new user who signed up using your referral link. You earn commission when referrals complete approved submissions.
Rejection
When a submission is not accepted. Can occur during screening or final review.
Returned
A submission you chose to return before finishing. Returning forfeits that study's reward but carries no penalty to your account.
S
Screener
Qualification questions asked early in the application process. Screeners determine if you're eligible for a study.
Screened Out
When you don't meet the screening criteria for a study. This is common and not a reflection on you personally.
Persona
The third-party service used for Government ID verification. Persona securely processes your ID documents and selfie. Terac does not store images of your ID.
Submission
Your application and work for a specific opportunity. A submission tracks your progress from application through payment.
T
Task
A specific piece of work within a submission. Types include surveys, interviews, and file uploads.
V
Virtual Incentives
The payment provider used for Terac payouts. When you cash out, Virtual Incentives sends you an email with a link to choose your payment method. US participants can choose from PayPal, Venmo, a prepaid Visa card, or direct cashout. Participants in other supported countries receive PayPal.
Quick Reference
| Term | Short Definition |
|---|---|
| Attestation | Verified badge (Gov ID, LinkedIn, Phone) |
| Cash Out | Withdraw your balance |
| Expert/Panelist | Verified participant |
| Opportunity | Research study to apply for |
| Screener | Qualification questions |
| Submission | Your application + work |
| Task | Individual activity (survey, interview, upload) |
| Persona | ID verification provider |
| Virtual Incentives | Payment provider for cashouts |
Missing a Term?
If you encounter a term that's not defined here, let us know and we'll add it.