Abstract Aims The experiment tested the effects of a Web-Push survey research protocol, compared with the standard mailed paper and pencil protocol, among young adults aged 19 to 30 in the ?Monitoring the Future? (MTF) longitudinal study. Design, Setting this was significantly better than the standard MTF response rate of 35.12% (95% CI=33.964, 36.285). After adjusting for covariates, the Web-Push condition was associated with a 19% increase in the odds of responding compared with standard MTF (AOR=1.188; 95% CI=1.096, 1.287). Substance use prevalence estimates were very similar and differences became negligible when using attrition weights and controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. Conclusions The Web-Push protocol produced a higher response rate than the mailed pencil and paper protocol in the Monitoring the Future (MTF) panel study, without substantially affecting estimates of substance use once attrition weights and sociodemographic variables were factored in.