Hi Atif,
There are two ways how you can get Connects: either you buy them or earn them. While we can’t share all the details of when Connects are given out (we don’t want dishonest people to “game” the system), here’s what we can share:
- You’ll receive 40 free Connects when you register for Upwork for the first time
- You’ll receive 30 free Connects if you earn a Rising Talent badge
- You’ll receive free Connects (the number can vary) when you win an interview with an established client on Upwork. (To prevent gaming, we aren’t sharing all the details of what we consider “established.” In general, it’s a client who has hired and spent on Upwork in the past.)
- You’ll get a one-time Connects bonus if you complete an Upwork Skill Certification
Please check this article for more information.
~ AJ
Hi Waqar,
We announced more about it here. I have moved your post to the discussion thread where you can share your feedback about the adjusted cost of Connects per job.
~ Avery
Vladyslav Z wrote:
I thought I was imagining it yesterday, or it was some kind of bug. But no, this is a real problem. And, for example, until you click on submit a proposal, there are 2 connections. When you open it, there are already 4. Similarly, for submit a proposal with 4 ends, there are now 6 ends, for submit a proposal with 6 ends, there are now 8 ends. Is this a glitch or an innovation? I ask the Upwork team to explain this and sort it out. Thank you
Hi Vladyslav,
Feel free to check out the product update linked to the original post here for more information about the changes.
As for the issue you're referring to where different amounts of Connects were showing in job search and on the job post page, it has already been fixed.
You do not want even to give newcomers a chance to make a proposal !!
Each month you get a FREE 10 connects, that was something helping newcomers with sending like 4 or 5 proposals, now they are worth nothing as you can use them in 2 proposals or 3 at maximum even if they provide good work and are professionals, it won't help at the end.
So the advantage of this system will always lean in favor of the freelancers with the bigger budgets, not the professionals. You have to PAY in order to get the chance to compete with the guys with the big budgets! Hope you get the point.
About the things, you said at the beginning it won't be a LOGIC and fair unless you create a new system like :
Divide the site into 3 segments: "Entry level, Intermediate Level, and Expert level", for Entry level as a sample ( All jobs provided by clients allocated under the "entry-level" item go directly to the newcomers and maybe profiles under 1000$ income) to send proposals with maximum of 6-8 connects for bidding.
and the Intermediate level goes directly to the profiles with maybe 1000$-5000$ to send their proposals maximum of 12-14 connects for bidding.
And the Expert Level goes directly to the profiles which achieved more than 5000$ or more than 10000$ for a maximum of 18-20 connects for bidding. "AS YOU WANT"
This system will be "fairer" as the "client" is the one who determines the degree of efficiency of the freelancer who will carry out his work and the proper amount of connects for each level.
