*Creating a Safe Space for Clients and New Talent on Upwork*

[#1]

Hey Upwork Community,

Let’s face it, many clients are hesitant to work with new freelancers, often due to bad experiences with unreliable providers. This fear doesn’t just hurt clients—it also blocks talented, trustworthy newcomers from sharing fresh ideas and innovative solutions.

If we want to change this, it’s up to us to raise the bar. Honest profiles, reliable communication, and delivering quality work will help clients feel safe enough to give new freelancers a chance. Together, let’s make Upwork a platform that clients can trust and that gives all skilled freelancers a fair shot.

What do you think? What other steps could help create a scam-free, trust-driven Upwork?

[#2]

Upwork is stuck with an organic process. Clients come aboard, find they've been swindled, never come back. Freelancers sign on. Many get scammed. They don't stick around.

This is an overly simplified slant on how Upwork works. It's a global sesspool. Or it's a global talent pool. People have called for filters for a long time, but the truest, most open filter is trial and error. Part of me wants Upwork to be selective about clients and freelancers ... but part of me is thrilled that this is just the way it's supposed to work. Nobody guards the door. Come on in and fight it out amongst yourselves. May the best man win.

I have reviewed hundreds or thousands of profiles. A few newcomers are clearly way over their heads. They think signing up for Upwork makes them a freelancer -- that's what it says on the brochure.

Like gun control, the option for Upwork filters came and went long ago. There are 18 million freelancers on Upwork last I heard. Do you want Upwork to review 18 million profiles and how would they decide who stays and who leaves?

If that number 18 million scares you, take heart. There are only 850,000 active members on Upwork. That's the organic filter system at work. I think that's as far as Upwork wants to take it. 

[#3]

Interesting take!

I think you nailed it—it’s the “wild west” of freelancing, where the real filter is endurance. Those who genuinely add value tend to stick around, while others fall off over time. I get the frustration around lack of gatekeeping; Upwork’s sheer scale makes effective filtering almost impossible without stifling the openness that defines it.

Sure, many new freelancers may be out of their depth, but that's also where Upwork’s trial-and-error system plays its role. If you're serious and skilled, you rise above the noise. The platform’s organic filter may not be perfect, but it forces freelancers to build resilience, adaptability, and reputation—all of which clients can actually trust.

[#4]

Cheryl,

It certainly is not perfect ... but except in theory or on paper. In reality, there are many flaws.

[#5]

I'm curious, where did you find this statistic? It is the same number as the clients. I know the number for freelancers is not a one-to-one match. The number of freelancers is much higher, while the number of clients is around 850,000. I will see if I can find the official announcement. I believe it was in the third quarter.

[#6]

Ah, well, on the Internet. I poked around quite a bit. I was looking for a number that is, apparently, a state secret. Almost impossible to find ... and, since it seems to be that protected, I think, under the new order, I'll be quiet about it.

But, the answer to your question is a web site called DemandSage.  Check -- If I am off on the numbers, let me know what you got. Took me a while to get the numbers I was looking for ... I don't want to trip over the details. 

I just revisited the site. I rounded up. They say there are 827,000 active freelancers on Upwork. And over 5 million clients. 

[#7]

Wow! By Upwork's own numbers, the freelancers are in the 20 million range, and the clients are less than 900,000. But wait! I did some more research, and now Upwork is peddling that there are "only 850,00 active freelancers." That is a fabrication from Upwork. If the numbers were that low, we would all be overworked. However, Upwork counts every single posting. The no hires, the bots, the scams, the window shoppers... The majority of the jobs in the feeds are no hires or scams.

Five million clients? That is a total fabrication. Maybe if they count all the ones from the past. If they count jobs, sure. If they count active, paying clients, perhaps there are 800,000 left. I guess Upwork can find all sorts of creative ways to make it look like the shares aren't falling.

[#8]

I'm not so sure 850,000 active members is such a total fabrication ... but I am very suspicious of 5 million clients. If there were that many clients, job postings would come raining in like crazy. That's not a very scientific approach "raining in like crazy," but I never claimed to be a statistician. 

There are other numbers that back up the 850,000 active freelancers number. That would be earnings. That was the number I was initially interested in.

Also, I have done profile reviews for a couple of years now. There has been a total shift in demographics here. DemandSage says 26 percent of Upwork freelancers are American. The next number is from India, then UK and one or two others. Then the category of "other" is 34 percent, roughly.

OK, I decided to count profile reviews and country of origin. This is also not scientific. There could be some reason foreigners ask for profile reviews, while Americans do not. But I counted back 200 reviews and found four American -- 2 percent, not 26 percent.

I have no qualms with that either way, but I'm just saying things are changing dramatically around here and this reflects on different stats. For example, foreign freelancers living in different economies and those who are never done freelance work before tend to post lower hourly rates than Americans.  You say there are "perhaps ... 800,000" active clients on the platform ... but you said there are that many "left," as in clients are leaving the site. I am not actively looking for reasons -- I don't need 800,000 clients to find work. But it's a curious state of flux going on, that's for sure.

[#9]

Also interesting that you say, "the majority of jobs in the feeds are no-hires or scams." 

That would be very startling. I have no way of verifying that, but my intuition tells me ... well, let's put it this way: Even if you are a bit off on that, that is a real reality check one way or another.

[#10]

I stopped counting at 5000 jobs. Enough research for me.

[#11]

Wow Jeane, that's a lot beans, coffee beans if your into that sort of thing.

[#12]

Hi Cheryl,

Thank you for your proactive and positive posts encouraging community engagement.

"What do you think? What other steps could help create a scam-free, trust-driven Upwork?"

I think Upwork would do well to invest more in human resources and cleaning up dud posts and profiles swifter and more affectively.

Better transparency and earlier notice from Upwork on changes and updates would help market confidence, and also help close soft target gaps in security.

More open dialogue and constructive interactions in the community I think would also help a lot.

Thanks again Cheryl, enjoying reading your threads. Best regards.

[#13]

Sein M

Some clients would benefit from a free audit of their problem , not offering free work but setting the stage for expert advice to show the client you know what you are talking about. that might help

[#14]

Hi Cheryl,

Thank you that's an interesting idea and I think I know what you mean but could you explain what you mean by "free audit" please? The definition I relate to audit is: an examination of the financial statements of a company.

Yes, we must communicate clearly our expertise in solving a client's problem. Yes, we shouldn't ever give the impression our time can be leveraged into giving free work, so care has to be taken in our approach.

Properly assessing what is required for a project during an interview and before settling a contract is a good time to assure the clients confidence (and to do our own vetting to confirm a good match) in our ability to achieve the best outcomes. This approach helps foster and maintain a robust and safe marketplace in line with how Upworks platform and TOS is designed.

Do you have any thoughts on this?

[#15]

Hi Sein,

Great question! When I mentioned a "free audit," I was referring to a brief, high-level assessment to help the client pinpoint key issues or opportunities in their project, rather than a detailed, in-depth review. The goal isn’t to offer free work, but to give clients a glimpse of how we approach problem-solving and build their confidence in our expertise.

I completely agree that maintaining clear boundaries is essential, and an initial audit can serve as a foundation for understanding the project's scope, confirming compatibility, and setting realistic expectations. Thanks for your insights on this—I think we’re on the same page about creating a secure, value-driven experience for clients on Upwork. Would love to hear if you have other thoughts on balancing this approach!

[#16]

Thanks Cheryl. Yes we are on the same page, it is a good approach I feel. Understanding and defining the scope serves the client and ourselves in setting up a best out come contract.

Thanks so much for your engagement and threads here. It's very productive.

I look forward to further discussions and reading more of your threads.

Thanks,

Best regards.

[#17]

Thanks Happy freelancing 🤗

[#18]

Thanks Cheryl for sharing, so onpoint! My two cents advise is that verifying your profile helps in boosting confidence in your profile

[#19]

thanks Sindy, that really helps  

[#20]

Great discussion here, Cheryl and everyone contributing. It’s true that Upwork’s current revenue model, presumably largely driven by site traffic and transaction fees, may not always create an immediate push for rigorous quality control measures. However, I believe there’s room for Upwork to consider trust-building as a cornerstone for long-term sustainability.

One potential solution could be incentivising high-value interactions. For example, Upwork could invest in more robust vetting tools that benefit both clients and freelancers. By aligning incentives with trust-building measures, the platform could maintain its openness while boosting user confidence and engagement.

What other practical steps do you all think could help bridge this gap between short-term traffic goals and long-term trust?

[#21]

Hi Neema.

"I believe there’s room for Upwork to consider trust-building as a cornerstone for long-term sustainability.

One potential solution could be incentivising high-value interactions. For example, Upwork could invest in more robust vetting tools that benefit both clients and freelancers."

Excellent points, I agree 100%. I believe there is much room for improvement by Upwork in these areas, and also applying a similar strategy to job and forum posts with better moderatation through an investment in better human resources to filter out dud and unsafe posts would strengthen the market and increase confidence in the marketplace.

[#22]

I love it thanks

[#23]

Sein, I agree that filtering out the 'dud' content would enhance the user experience. In an ideal world, the platform would be profitable for Upwork while meeting client and freelancer requirements, indefinitely.

Speaking of profit...is anyone else looking at Upwork's stock performance since it listed?

[#24]

Yes, 28 million dollars profit for Q3, while cutting 21% staff.. And an important announcement yesterday, the Forums and Academy permanently closing next month.

I've enjoyed very much the open and constructive discussions here. It's a pitty to see it go. Bit concerned what the next announcements might be given the trend of changes, but it's been looking odd for a while.

[#25]

Say less.

I 'heard' about the announcement. What unfolds next will largely depend on what Upwork’s decision-makers view as their key profit drivers versus necessary costs. If user experience improvements are seen as essential for long-term growth and client retention, we could see some of those resources channeled into addressing the user concerns we’ve all highlighted.

However, if immediate profit margins are the priority, enhancements to user experience may take a backseat. Only time will tell how Upwork will balance financial statements and community (some might read that as head and heart). Let’s hope their strategy keeps user satisfaction in mind as part of their plans for sustainable success.

Side note: I too will miss the unofficial water cooler banter.