These words are often used interchangeably, but they mean different things:

• Anonymous: No one, including you, can connect a response to a family.
• Confidential: Responses can be connected to a family, but that information is protected and not shared.

Many survey tools are not anonymous by default. If a survey collects email addresses, uses personalized links, requires a login, or runs through your family app, you can likely see who responded. That makes the survey confidential at best.

Either approach can work. Anonymous surveys generally produce more candid feedback. Confidential surveys let you follow up with a family about a specific concern. What matters is telling families accurately which one they are getting. Families often notice when a survey labeled “anonymous” asked for their email address, and once they notice, they are more guarded in every survey after. If you choose anonymous, check your tool’s settings and turn off email and account tracking.