How do I make an anonymous survey?
Use a tool that doesn’t collect identifying information, avoid personal questions and communicate clearly that responses will remain confidential.
An anonymous survey encourages honest feedback by assuring participants that their identities won’t be revealed. To design one, choose a survey platform that allows you to disable respondent tracking. Avoid requiring sign‑ins or collecting email addresses unless you truly need them—and if you do, make those fields optional. When crafting questions, steer clear of anything that could indirectly identify individuals, such as specific job titles in small teams.
In your introduction, explain that the survey is anonymous and describe how responses will be used. Transparency builds trust. For internal surveys, you may want to use a third‑party provider that aggregates responses before sharing them with administrators. If you’re using Google Forms, see our guide on How do I make an anonymous Google Form?. If you’re surveying employees, read Are employee surveys really anonymous? to learn about data thresholds and privacy measures.
Finally, communicate results back to respondents. When people see that their feedback leads to action, they’re more likely to participate in the future. Anonymity isn’t just a technical setting—it’s a commitment to listen without judgement.