What GMO Research does

GMO Research & AI, Inc. (GMOリサーチ&AI株式会社) is a Japan-headquartered, publicly traded internet market research firm founded in 2002 and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers Market since October 2014 as part of the GMO Internet Group. The company operates Japan's largest-scale consumer panel, JAPAN Cloud Panel (~30 million monitors via 50+ media-company partnerships), and Asia's largest cross-border panel, ASIA Cloud Panel (~60 million monitors across 16 countries/regions), enabling it to deliver large-scale and niche-target consumer research in markets including Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, India, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Australia, Myanmar, the UAE, and the USA. Six wholly-owned regional subsidiaries (Singapore, India, China, Malaysia, Taiwan, USA) anchor local sales and panel operations alongside the Tokyo headquarters.

The product portfolio spans three layers: (1) a panel network layer (JAPAN Cloud Panel, ASIA Cloud Panel, Z.com Research self-operated panels); (2) a self-service platform layer (GMO Market Observer for traditional DIY research, and GMO Ask — a Google Forms-integrated consumer-survey platform starting at ¥10/response); and (3) a qualitative and consulting layer (MO Insights byGMO for online quantitative/qualitative research, MO Liteインタビュー for packaged 1-on-1 interviews, and Z.com Engagement Lab as a JV-based EaaS offering). AI capabilities are layered on top: ChatGPT API powers survey-form drafting and report generation, while proprietary systems including the Accurate Prediction Engine (Hadoop-based response-rate modeling), Ghost Completes fraud detection, and the beta GMO Digital Twin Chat (AI-driven virtual consumer modeling) provide differentiation.

The business model mixes project-based full-service contracts for enterprise research, usage-based DIY pricing (¥10/response plus add-on AI features), monthly subscriptions (Market Observer at ¥100K/month), licensing of panel network access to other research firms, and JV-based consulting. Customers span enterprises and mid-market firms conducting consumer behavior and brand tracking research, SMBs and individual researchers using self-service tools, and APAC-expanding corporates seeking multi-country consumer insight. The company is ISO/IEC 27001-certified (JIS Q 27001:2023) and Privacy Mark-licensed, and underwent a holding-company restructuring effective October 1, 2025, transitioning to a structure where GMO Product Platform Corporation holds the operating GMO Research & AI subsidiary.

Name

GMO Research

Legal name

GMOリサーチ&AI株式会社

Website

https://gmo-research.ai

Company type

Public

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

GMO Research & AI operates Japan's and Asia's largest consumer panel networks — ~30M monitors in Japan and ~60M across 16 countries — providing full-service internet research, DIY self-service survey platforms (GMO Ask, GMO Market Observer), AI-powered analysis tools, and online qualitative research for enterprises, SMBs, and APAC-expanding corporates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Market Research & Consumer Insights

NAICS

Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling (541910)

akta.pro primary industry

Survey, Panel & Fieldwork Services (BPAHALAJ)

Keywords

• Online market research
• Consumer panel network
• DIY survey platform
• Internet research services
• Marketing insights SaaS

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Internet Research / Full-Service Survey: Full-service internet research where GMO Research manages the complete survey lifecycle including questionnaire design, panel delivery, data collection, and reporting. Revenue is project-based, with pricing varying by survey complexity, sample size, geography, and number of questions.
2. GMO Ask - DIY Survey Platform: Self-service survey platform enabling clients to create, distribute and analyze surveys online. Revenue primarily from per-question, per-response unit pricing (1問1回答10円～), with minimum order amounts and optional voucher plans. Additional revenue from optional AI add-on features.
3. MO Lite Interview - Online Interview Service: Package-based 1-on-1 online interview service with base fee plus per-sample pricing. Also offered via voucher plans for repeat users. Targets businesses requiring qualitative consumer insights.
4. DIY Research Platform (GMO Market Observer): Monthly subscription-based DIY research system offering panel access, survey creation, and aggregation tools. Provides tiered pricing including flat monthly (10万円～) and per-response (60円/1回答) models.
5. Panel Network Access (B2B): License panel network access to other research companies, consulting firms, and corporate clients for conducting their own surveys using GMO's Asia Cloud Panel and Japan Cloud Panel infrastructure.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

GMO Research & AI operates Asia's largest consumer panel network (60M+ monitors across 16 countries/regions) and sells internet-based market research services and DIY/self-service survey software platforms. The company provides both full-service research (questionnaire design, panel delivery, data collection, and reporting) and self-serve SaaS tools (GMO Ask, GMO Market Observer, MO Insights) enabling enterprises, SMBs, and researchers to conduct consumer insights studies. AI-powered features (ChatGPT-driven survey generation, report writing, and digital twin consumer modeling) are integrated across the platform stack.

Product overview

GMO Research operates a comprehensive marketing research and AI platform spanning three core layers: (1) a panel network layer — the Japan-largest JAPAN Cloud Panel (~30M members, 50+ network partners) and the Asia-largest ASIA Cloud Panel (16 countries/regions, ~60M members) — providing the respondent foundation; (2) a technology layer — the DIY research platform GMO Market Observer and the fully self-service survey tool GMO Ask (integrated with Google Forms®) — enabling independent survey creation, distribution, and analysis; and (3) a qualitative/consulting layer — MO Insights byGMO (online quantitative and qualitative research), MO Liteインタビュー byGMO (1-on-1 online interviews), and Z.com Engagement Lab (Asia-focused marketing consulting) — for deeper consumer insights. AI capabilities include ChatGPT-powered report generation (AI Report機能) and questionnaire drafting (調査票AIサポート) within GMO Ask, AI-driven research operations, predictive response-rate modeling (APE engine), Ghost Completes fraud detection, and digital twin consumer modeling (GMO Digital Twin Chat). Ancillary services include customer satisfaction rankings (GMO顧客満足度ランキング), Tableau-powered data visualization, PlayAds video verification, and the post-Cookie advertising targeting product co-developed with Intimate Merger.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GMO Ask: Fully DIY survey platform integrating with Google Forms for online survey creation and distribution
• JAPAN Cloud Panel (ジャパンクラウドパネル)
• ASIA Cloud Panel (アジアクラウドパネル)
• MO Insights
• MO Lite
• AI Report功能 (AI Report Feature)
• Z.com Research
• Z.com Engagement Lab

Products and services

• GMO Market Observer DIY (self-service) research platform providing a unified interface for panel sampling, survey creation and distribution, and data aggregation. Supports both GMO's proprietary panels and clients' own panel sources for end-to-end internet research, with optional APE predictive engine.
• GMO Ask Fully self-service survey platform integrated with Google Forms® and backed by JAPAN Cloud Panel, enabling order-to-completion online surveys with credit-card payment, 24-hour review, and pricing from ¥10/response for SMBs, startups, and individual researchers.
• JAPAN Cloud Panel Japan's largest-scale multi-source survey panel network combining GMO's own infoQ panel with 50+ partner networks, totaling 30M+ panelists with 200+ targeting attributes for large-scale and niche-target survey delivery.
• ASIA Cloud Panel Asia's largest-scale cross-country panel network spanning 16 countries and regions with 60M+ monitors through partnerships with regional panel providers, supporting Ghost Completes detection for quality assurance.
• MO Insights byGMO Cloud-based solution for completing both quantitative (survey) and qualitative (interview) research entirely online. Enables online group interviews, individual interviews, diary studies, and business interview panels without in-person meetings.
• MO Lite Interview byGMO Package online interview service handling 1-on-1 interview recruiting, scheduling, and delivery with voucher plans and 30/60/90/120-minute session options, starting at ¥30,000 base fee plus ¥10,000 per sample.
• Z.com Engagement Lab Asia-focused marketing service offering 4 solutions: Insights (industry reports), Advisory (custom research consulting), Test (test marketing), and Outreach (opinion leader community monitoring) through a joint venture with EK2A and InsightXplorer.
• Internet Research (Full-Service) Full-service internet research service where GMO Research manages the entire survey lifecycle including questionnaire design, panel delivery, data collection, and reporting. Revenue is project-based with pricing varying by survey complexity, sample size, geography, and number of questions.
• Global Research (Asia-Pacific Multi-Country Research) Full-service consumer research across 16 Asian countries/regions including Asia-Oceania surveys, foreign visitor surveys, and surveys of foreign residents in Japan, supported by ASIA Cloud Panel.
• GMO Digital Twin Chat AI-powered virtual consumer modeling service using real consumer data and AI to create digital twin avatars that closely resemble real consumers, generating new consumer insights through AI × data fusion.
• GMO Ask for 調査リリース AI-powered survey press release creation service for PR and marketing teams that designs surveys, collects data, and uses AI to generate a data-driven press release grounded in proprietary survey findings.
• PlayAds byGMO Video ad verification tool supporting corporate marketing video creative production and validation, enabling video ad testing prior to media deployment.
• Tableau Data Visualization Service Data visualization service powered by Tableau platform, enabling clients to view longitudinal survey data as interactive dashboards and graphs rather than tables, with GT and cross-tabulation analysis. Pricing: ¥160,000 setup + ¥50,000/month.
• GMO Customer Satisfaction Ranking (GMO顧客満足度ランキング) Ranking platform publishing GMO-branded customer satisfaction rankings across product categories (cashless payment apps, car loans, rental cars, etc.), producing and publishing proprietary survey-based rankings for PR and marketing use.
• MO Lite Survey byGMO DIY survey distribution service connecting external survey creation tools (Google Forms, SurveyMonkey, CREATIVE SURVEY) to JAPAN Cloud Panel and ASIA Cloud Panel for automated panel-based survey delivery starting from ¥5,000.

Quantifiable outcome

• Survey turnaround reduced to as few as 5 business days with AI-powered report generation
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

AI capability7 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Ore (オレ)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 October 2024Business partnership in the recruitment DX (recruitment digital transformation) domain. Utilizes Ore's resume database of over 30 million students and working professionals nationwide to support effective job advertising and recruitment site production.
• SpreadyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 October 2024Business partnership in the new business development domain. Provides one-stop user research and user interview services to support new venture and new service development initiatives.
• ETE HOLDINGScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 August 2024Capital and business partnership for AI/digital twin technology utilization. Aims to develop innovative marketing services through the fusion of data and AI technology, creating virtual consumer models that closely resemble real consumers.
• CCCMK Holdings - T-MallcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 August 2023Integration of CCCMK Holdings' T-Mall (T-point shopping mall) into JAPAN Cloud Panel. T-Mall users join the panel, expanding panel diversity. T-Mall users earn T-points for completing surveys. Grows panel to 2,394万+ monitors.
• Intimate Merger (インティメート・マージャー)coreTechnology or Integration · 26 July 2023Joint development of 'Post-Cookie Survey Promotion' advertising service and audience ID integration between JAPAN Cloud Panel and Intimate Merger's IM-DMP (with ~470M monthly unique browsers). Enables precise ad targeting and measurement without third-party cookies, addressing privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA.
• N/A (IM-DMP Integration)coreTechnology or Integration · 26 July 2023Audience ID integration between JAPAN Cloud Panel and Intimate Merger's IM-DMP (470M+ monthly unique browsers), enabling post-Cookie ad measurement and precision targeting using GMO Research's panel attributes combined with IM-DMP's behavioral data.
• IS (アイズ) - Trammy PlatformminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 June 2023Business partnership for mutual service provision. GMO Research gains access to Trammy's word-of-mouth marketing platform members for survey delivery; IS gains ability to offer GMO Research panel access to their clients. Expands coverage for word-of-mouth and review evaluation surveys.
• NRI Singapore (野村総合研究所)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2023Joint autonomous survey 'ASEAN Urban Life Survey 2023' conducted across 6 ASEAN countries (Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam) with 709 respondents. NRI Singapore publishes the detailed report. Jointly develops ASEAN consumer lifestyle insights for Japanese companies.
• PlaytestCloud GmbHcoreTechnology or Integration · 23 May 2023Partnership enables ASIA Cloud Panel members to conduct smartphone app user testing via PlaytestCloud's online testing platform. Expands GMO Research panel reach into gaming and app testing market across Asia's 16 countries and ~5,506 million monitors. PlaytestCloud is used by 45+ of top 100 games on Apple App Store globally.
• Toshiba Data (東芝データ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 November 2021Partnership to link purchase data from Toshiba Data's Smart Receipt service with GMO Research's survey panel, enabling more precise product purchase trend analysis. Jointly exploring business and technical solutions for data integration. GMO Research customers gain access to purchase behavior data; Toshiba Data gains ability to conduct purchase-motivated surveys.
• LupeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 January 2021Co-development partnership for online interview services specialized in new business development research. Combines Lupe's research design expertise and online interview operations with GMO Research's DIY platform Market Observer for end-to-end qualitative research support.
• Easy Key 2 Asia / Z.com Engagement Lab ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2020Three-way joint venture for Z.com Engagement Lab marketing service in Asia. Provides 'Engagement as a Service (EaaS)' combining GMO Research's ASIA Cloud Panel with Easy Key 2 Asia's consulting and InsightXplorer's research capabilities. Services include industry reports, consulting, test marketing, and PR support.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Dynata: One of the world's largest first-party data and panel providers. Directly competes in B2B panel access and online survey distribution, with greater global scale but less Asia specialization than GMO Research.
• Toluna: Global online panel and survey technology company. Directly competes with GMO Research in panel-based consumer research across multiple Asian markets with established global footprint and automated insights platform.
• Intage Inc. Japan's largest traditional market research firm offering consumer panels, qualitative research, and consulting. Directly competes with GMO Research in Japanese enterprise market research with broader service portfolio including healthcare and B2B research.
• Macromill: Japanese internet-based market research firm with global panel operations across Asia. Most directly comparable peer to GMO Research given similar business model combining owned panels, DIY platforms, and full-service research in Japanese and Asian markets.
• Rakuten Insight: Subsidiary of Rakuten Group operating large consumer panels across Asia. Directly competes in Asian online panel research, leveraging Rakuten's e-commerce user base for panel recruitment - similar distribution strategy to GMO's media partnerships.
• Cross Marketing Inc. Japanese online market research firm operating across Asia with comparable panel-based and DIY survey offerings. Directly competes in Japanese internet research with overlapping client base in consumer goods and technology sectors.

Broad incumbents

• Ipsos: Global market research and consumer insight firm. Overlaps with GMO Research in enterprise consumer research but operates at significantly larger scale with broader portfolio spanning qualitative, healthcare, public affairs, and corporate research.
• Kantar: Global data, insights, and consulting company. Competes broadly in consumer research with much larger scale, established enterprise client base across Asia-Pacific, and adjacent capabilities in retail measurement and brand strategy.
• NielsenIQ: Global consumer intelligence firm with established panels and retail measurement. Larger incumbent that overlaps with GMO Research in consumer insights but with deeper enterprise relationships, broader retail data assets, and global brand.

Emerging players

• Prolific: Online participant recruitment platform for academic and commercial research. Emerging alternative to traditional panels with focus on high-quality participant vetting; represents competitive threat in academic and SMB research segments where GMO Ask also competes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gmoresearch

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about GMO Research