The short version
When you share a Survio survey via a link, QR code, or website embed, responses are anonymous by default. You see the answers — not who gave them. No names, no emails, no IP addresses are stored.
Two exceptions break that anonymity: email invitations (where Survio links each response to the invitee's email address) and URL parameters (where you attach custom data — like a customer ID — to each unique link).
What "anonymous" actually means in Survio
Send a survey link to 500 people and you'll collect 500 responses. You'll see every answer — but none of them will say who submitted it. There's no way to trace a response back to a specific person, unless you asked for their name or email directly inside the survey.
This is the default. You don't need to configure anything — it's how Survio works out of the box whenever you use a shareable link.
Which sharing method gives you what?
Direct link, QR code, website embed, social media → Anonymous. Responses cannot be linked back to the respondent in any way.
Email invitation (Standard+ plan) → Identified. Survio automatically records which email address submitted which response. You can see individual response status per invitee.
URL parameters (PRO Business) → Identified. You attach custom data (customer ID, region, order number) to each unique link. That data appears in every response from that link.
When to use each
Use an anonymous survey when:
You're running market research or a public survey and don't need to know who answered
You're collecting employee or HR feedback — people speak more honestly when they know it's safe
You're gathering event feedback quickly, without a contact list
You're embedding feedback on your website or app for general visitors
Use an identified survey when:
You need to follow up personally with unhappy respondents
You want to filter or segment results by customer tier, region, or account
You're running a lifecycle campaign tied to specific accounts (renewals, onboarding, NPS)
You need to track who on your contact list has responded and who hasn't
One important note
Even with an anonymous link survey, you can still collect a respondent's identity — just ask for it directly in the survey (e.g. "What is your name?" or "What is your email address?"). That's a deliberate choice you make as the survey creator, not something Survio does automatically.
Similarly, if you use email invitations or URL parameters, it's good practice (and GDPR-required) to inform respondents that their response will be linked to their identity.
Quick reference
Sharing method | Anonymity | Plan |
Direct link | 🔒 Anonymous | All plans |
QR code | 🔒 Anonymous | All plans |
Website embed | 🔒 Anonymous | All plans |
Social media | 🔒 Anonymous | All plans |
Email invitation | 👤 Identified | Standard+ |
URL parameters | 👤 Identified | PRO Business |
Related articles: Email invitation campaigns · URL parameters / link variables