Marketplace Updates: Changes to Upwork Application Prices

[50768745]

Our goal is to make the number of Connects per proposal better reflect the demand for work in the Marketplace. This change will help us facilitate better matches, increase flexibility to price projects accurately, and attract more top tier clients to the platform.

Check out the product release for Marketplace Updates: Changes to Upwork Application Prices, and let us know your thoughts and question in the comments below.

[48f850a0]

The thing is even if upwork makes applications 30 connects from the current 16.... Freelancers that take upwork as their means of livelihood will still keep applying.... It's just it, the high connects won't stop applications, it only benefits Upwork tbh

[sourceprouk]

 Are you saying they're not raising the connects enough? 

I am clearly saying I do not think it is the way to do it by overchargning us.

[mpedziwiatr]

It was explained a while ago here:

https://community.upwork.com/t5/Freelancers/16-connects-to-apply-for-a-job-has-the-connects-required...

Taking that in mind, I don't feel it's in accordance to match the job value to ask 16 bids for a $5.00-$8.00 job. Haha. I get it it's Upwork's business to earn more, but that's nothing more than being greedy ;).

[yofazza]

I don't think it's greed when they (almost) never made a profit, for almost a decade. So let us all think carefully on what to do next.

Btw I think they should focus on getting more investors instead, maybe it's not yet the time to start thinking about profit.

[the-right-writer]

Why is anyone applying for $5.00 jobs???

[fred-derf]

Just a few thoughts on the increase.

My work is in video post-production. 

Yes, I was disappoointed at this. I had been very busy with other projects [Upwork and others] for two years. Since things slowed down I needed to look again. That connect increase is disappointing, but not as much as the scam-type proposals that permeate my Job Feed.

It did not take long for me to figure out the proposals that have 'SCAM' written all over them.

Ridiculous budget ranges. One had $5-100/hr. I don't pay into the membership to see bid ranges anymore so it is hard to tell how many went lowball or top.

Many invitations. I never bid on a proposal with any invitations. Some show 36, 40 or more invites. Just fishing lures they are.

Exact same proposals. It is not uncommon to see the identical text on several proposals in a one-day scroll through. Funny because one will have 'Spain' another 'Phiiippines' and yet another 'Sweden or United Kingdom.' I flag these. They might go away for a time but return.

Please share your ideas on scam-detection.

Of course, my thought is Upwork should be charging to submit 'help wanted 'proposals. 

Why not? In the real world employers to pay to search for talent.

[2ef54d61]

I have seen zero change in my field and in fact I'm probably making less on Upwork now than I was a few months ago. 

[1e9b7854]

I just want to apply for a medium-level job that needs at least 12 connects or 16 what is wrong with Upwork?

[prince-mark]

unverified payment clients require 12 connects , which was previosus1-4 connects, why is the connects to apply so rediculously high?

[nurulamin19]

At the very beginning, we used to get 25 connects every week free of cost. Then one proposal could be submitted for one connect. When oDesk turned into Upwork, we could see 2, 4 or 6 connects were required to submit a proposal. After that Upwork began to sell connects. We had to buy connects for submitting proposals. Yet we were advancing with hard struggles. Then Upwork upgraded connect limits to 4, 6, 8 and also began to charge connets for profile visibility (7 connects a week). It became harder for us. But recently we can see Upwork is advancing more and more. It is now charging 8, 12, 16 connects for submitting a proposal. How is it possible for us to continue?

[smyeas12]

We are also depressed about it. Upwork didn't hear anything we said. They even didn't care what is our problem. Also if they charge the connect that way I would appreciate it. But there are many fake jobs and Many jobs clients didn't hire anyone. So If they can modify their system a little bit that would be great. So IDK what to say or do about it but is not so cool. 

[sandymall]

Honestly, this is just one more wrong decision, which is no surprise after boosted connects, i don't understand how Upwork management not see whats happening on the portal with boosted connects, people are bidding with 150 connects, and it will outbid most the genuine freelancers to big web agencies and its reducing the quality of platform, honestly this step again bad for freelancers, who is already suffering from bad decision making in recent years, i hope its not start of decline of upwork.

[filip_knezevic]

@Stan, please don't lie. It's OK to say you are greedy and you wand more and more money. It's not a shame to admit.
So bidding 12 connects for 20 USD fixed price reflects the demand for work or whatever crap you just fed us with? Keep up with good work guys.

[ifrah64]

Upwork was always recommended over other freelancing markets because of its fairness. Few weeks back, that has ended. 

I started on Upwork (it was 2022) after having a terrible experience with Fiverr (which used to be a fair game when I started on it in 2018 and then it tilted in favour of clients and newcomers were discouraged to start). 

Many people I know from the Global South started on this platform and made money based on their sheer talent and effort. Upwork was a leveller and equaliser for us as it gave us equal opportunity to everyone. 

Well, all good stories end eventually. Upwork's prime is receding. It finally is becoming Fiverr its with wrong policies, it is discouraging newcomers. Although fiverr just did it secretively by changing the algorithms and during conflict resolution biases, upwork did it openly and brazenly. It increased the connects requirement but kept the monthly renewal constant. This is honestly RIDICULOUS!

I guess we need another new freelancing platform where our rights as a freelancer are also protected. 

[e13c7896]

Hi,

We are rather new and a bit serious for blogging and HR. Recently we found that for  projects, Upwork asking for connect fom 04 to 16 connects? Earlier, it was 02 to 06 or so. Why such huge gap? Is it that bloggers today are more reacher?  Otherwise, say you have 100 connects then they are allowing to apply for 10 to 15 jobs only.  Is this is fair? May anyone explain us?

[ibrahimmetwally]

Dear Staff

Greetings

I have noticed that most of jobs and tasks require many  numbers of connects. I don't have enough quantity to add my proposals. Please, tell me How do I overcome this problem in any way other than buying connects. 

[c0c6de28]

Have the people at Upwork lost their minds??

A year ago, I was sending proposals for $750 jobs for 6 connects, and now it costs 12 connects for a $65 job? No, that wasn't a typo—$65 job. AND they want us to spend more to boost?

I used to be able to send quite a few proposals with 40 connects, and now I can only send 3. And there's no guarantee that anyone is even going to see it. I am a Top Rated Plus freelancer on Upwork who usually doesn't even have to send proposals or buy connects. The literal thousands of dollars that they've taken off the top of all of my contracts these past couple of years plus everything I've spent on connects isn't enough? And that's just one person.

The greed here is getting absolutely out of control. Boosting is the most ridiculous thing they could've introduced to this process. Let's just call it what it is: punishing freelancers who aren't willing (or able) to spend more money by burying their proposals.

Then they fill clients' heads with ridiculous things like this:

When a freelancer boosts a proposal, it means that they’re really interested in working together. High interest is a great sign that the freelancer is dedicated to helping you get the results you’re looking for.

I can't speak for the client side of this, but if I were a client, I would be looking for the proposals of the people most qualified to do the job rather than those who are just spending extra money so their proposals rise to the top.

more money spent ≠ more interest ≠ best choice

[luce-neidert]

Yes, let's discuss the theme of how expensive sending an offer has become.

First, I can say that I expect this to be temporary. I've been using Upwork for about 7 years, and the connect policy is regularly changed.

I'm curious to see what the results of the current change will be. Shall we get rid of the masses of would be freelancers who try to be on Upwork without understanding what it really means in terms of efforts?

Shall we get rid of the clients who expect to get all kind of jobs to be done for $5?

In the meantime, I'm adapting. I'm only sending offers to jobs I'm really interested in, which is a good discipline.

I agree with you, boosting is ridiculous. I guess it only works because people are ridiculous. If freelancers are too naive to see that for themselves, tough luck - let Upwork charge them extra money!

[c0c6de28]

Yes, that's what I've always done: only sent proposals to jobs I'm really interested in. I didn't care about the "masses of freelancers" before when it was a fair process that didn't depend on whether someone else was spending more money than I was. But now, "masses of freelancers" are able to spend more money than I am to get their proposals seen. And that gives the people who are giving more money to Upwork the advantage.

At least it was a fair(ish) system before. Now Upwork is very obviously favoring certain freelancers. I'm not saying it's a shock for corporations to favor people who bring more profit in, but it completely destroys any semblance of fairness amongst people who use their services.

We don't need boosts to make it "like an auction," as Upwork has worded it. It already IS like an auction. We put our best foot forward, give the proposed budget, and they choose whether they want us or not.

Before I had to try to give the best price possible while not losing my shirt. Now I have to consider the added cost of connects and boosting into the mix, and that changes my proposed budget. Clients don't see how much we're spending to propose and boost. All they see is someone who is charging more for their services. 

[simrankaur1997]

Yes, you are absolutely correct not only top rated or old freelancers facing this but also it becomes much more difficult for new freelancers to stand on and who do not have earnings yet and wanted to earn money and seeking for oppurtunities to become successful in this field, we have to invest a lot for sending proposals which is not yet sure you will get projects or not, there's no guarantee after spending that much extra money you're going to make it or not. It's the worst thing they've done.

[c0c6de28]

On top of it, we're supposed to get our connects back if we send a proposal for a job and the client never hires someone. But how often does that even get registered? I can't tell you how many times that I've seen a proposal I sent a month or two ago still there, the job posting is still up, but no one has been hired. If the job posting isn't closed, we don't get our connects back. It's a ridiculous system.

[0bead0da]

I'm on a monthly Upwork Pluss plan for $14.99, with connections left over.

Do I accumulate the number of connections for the next month? 
Thank you 

[ruthchille]

Hello Nguyen! Thanks for reaching out. Yes, the Connects will be carried over to the following months until they expire after a year of issue. We no longer have a Connects limit so you can purchase and roll over unlimited Connects each month.

[0dea62aa]

Hi,

The connects are getting expensive with every job post, they have like mandated the connect to a minimum of 8 for all the jobs.

In the last 1 month, I had bought more the 600+ connects in order to apply for the jobs (No expensive bids applied). The major concern is there is no reward and the client doesn't even cancel the job if they are not hiring. 50+ proposals and all our wasting the connects on such jobs and no reply at all. This is frustrating that they are putting more burden and creating competition for the new comers.

P.S I haven't received a single reply from any client in the last 1 month.

[5be0faa4]

Hello Upwork Team and all freelancer.

Thank you for Upwork for taking my point here. 

My self if Anuradha. I am a Hindi Tranciptionist or Data Entry Operator. I am from India. Upwork has gave great opprotunity to all freelancers in the world. Now a day I am facing lot of problem to get a new job. In this month I had already spend almost $20 for buying fresh connects and all used but not getting a job. Also I have to seen total 60 views on my profile. First of all 16 connects for applying a job is too high. I have to be request to Upwork Team to please think about this. Agree to pay 16 connects for applying a job but I requested to Upwork Team it might be return to a freelancer if his/her not getting that job. Upwork need to be think about this.

Thank You.

Anuradha Raturi

[williamtcooper]

Anuradha,

There are 5 times more freelancers than clients, therefore if anything, the connects need to be higher.

[sourceprouk]

?

[saima_faisal]

What's this major change that has happened here? All freelancers must be observing but no one saying anything?

Now there's nothing available for 2 or 6 connects. Only unverified jobs for 4 connects and rest are all 8, 12 or 16 connects 🤐🙄

As a freelancer in the Basic Plan gets only 10 connects per month, so how many jobs can one apply to? I mean, I can only apply to one job of 8 connects in a month and that's it? No other chances except that I have to buy connects. That's so unfair. When I am not earning anything here, how can I keep spending on making purchases? Rant over

[the-right-writer]

Oh, plenty of people are talking. Look through some of the forum threads screaming about how unfair it is for Upwork to charge for job access they provide. I see jobs for less than 12 connects, but I don't look at small jobs, which often carry more connects. Still, connects are cheap and should be the smallest part of business expenses.

As a freelancer in the Basic Plan gets only 10 connects per month, so how many jobs can one apply to? I mean, I can only apply to one job of 8 connects in a month and that's it? No other chances except that I have to buy connects. That's so unfair. When I am not earning anything here, how can I keep spending on making purchases?

Freelancing means being responsible for everything you do. No one is guaranteed a job in freelancing, no matter how good the sales pitch to new ones. You are talking about employment when you think work will be given to you. No, in freelancing, you pay for everything, and there are no guarantees. When I make an appointment, craft a proposal and an in-depth portfolio specific to the clientele, go to the appointment, paying for everything, including any education, subscriptions, journal fees, printing, binders, gas... there are no guarantees and no one pays me for everything, even if I am hired.

"Unfair" is meaningless here. This is freelancing, work, and there is no fair or unfair. "Fair" is a subjective term, with no use in business. No business cares about "fair." You have to decide if the money you put into work, pays you enough to continue your path.

If you can't afford the cheapest part of freelancing, you will fail. I'm not being mean; I'm being honest. Freelancing takes real, marketable skills, money to pay for everything, including connects (job access), time, patience, and, again, real marketable skills. If you are relying on 10 free connects a month, freelancing will be hard, and impossible for many.

Most freelancers have to put int dozens if not a hundred proposals before being hired, and that's if they have good skills. Even after getting the first job, it's not easy.

You can't have had your current success here without spending some money. It's your responsibility to decide is your investment isn't worth it.

I'm telling you this because it is cruel to tell someone to spend their last bit of money if they will lose it.

[shibajyoti]

3 + years on Upwork here, and have seen the transition over the years.

Dont play the victim game always. Its boring.

You arer trying to prove the comunity wrong who is actually putting money for your business.

You didnt even stop onbrading new freelancers. when other platforms did. you thought new freelancers will come and start spending millions rightaway ?

How are the old freelancers here repsonsible  for your unwise business expectations ?

When was the last time you spent your meony without any surity of acquiring or acheivng something in the real world  scenario  ?

Dont try to preach just because your organization is struggling with its business. 

[dannykundzinsh]

Top Rated plus here with over 100k in revenue on upwork, plus enterprise projects under my belt.
The increase seems unethical to me, If I get 80 connects for my $15 a-month subscription that is $3 per job application! and I can apply for 5 jobs?! assuming each job is 16 connects to apply, which in 90% of the cases it is. what on earth upwork?

The 10% increase is not enough? it's already a huge chunk out of freelancer's money, now we all have to pay a fortune to apply for jobs that 99% of them we don't ever hear from?

I always keep my projects on upwork, the 10% cut you take should be more than enough to pay for all the expenses and make you a nice profit, if it's not then there are management issues in the company and the solution is not squeeze more money out of us.

And I don't want to get started on how many scams are on this site which don't seem to get any better and are just sliding under the radar.
Very disappointed by this unfair increase, this is not how you treat your freelancers which are the backbone of your business.

[the-right-writer]

I'm always amazed at successful freelancers who think connects are too much to pay for the job access they have enjoyed getting to top rated plus. If you worked in the physical world or other platforms, they charge, too. With your amount of success here, and you don't think you should pay a pittance for access that's made you top rated plus? Where do you think you would have found those clients? You would have never found a single one.

If your ROI is so awful with connects, then you should find other sources for jobs.

[93eafed7]

This dude works for upwork.

[the-right-writer]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

Wow, you must not read many of my posts!

Thank you for the laugh.  Seriously, I needed that!

[da48367a]

Like... Do you get... She is everywhere

[jessalou14]

One question for you. Do you not think connects should be refunded for jobs that are left open with no activity from the client whatsoever? 

[the-right-writer]

No, I do not. When I contact a client in the physical world, there is no guarantee of a job. Everything I do to prepare for the job, including a nice presentation of my CV, proposal, portfolio, and any other relevant content, is my financial burden. Then there is everything I do as a freelancer, including Internet, subscriptions access to medical and science libraries, plagiarism detectors, then the cost of transportation... and on and on. There is no guarantee of a job when you apply as a self-employed freelancer. Too many people think of Upwork as employment, where you are guaranteed a job. Nope, it's all on you, just like it is everywhere else.

Why would you get connects back? If a prospective client doesn't get back to me, I don't get to charge them for my costs.

Just think about this for a moment. Upwork's biggest problem is too many people with little to no skills clogging the client feeds and making them mad because most are garbage. Everyone is complaining about not getting jobs. Do you really believe that even more connects floating around, allowing even more people to apply, is going to help you in any way? You want more competition, and more clients becoming disgusted because free connects spend easy?

When you freelance, you apply, and don't look back.

[jessalou14]

The comparison to a real world job application is not an apples to apples comparison. Upwork is a marketplace which means Upwork acts as an arbiter of some sort whereas in the real world, there is none. You are making it seem like the reason clients do not hire is solely because of freelancers not having the required skills, which isn't even remotely true. There are tons of job postings that clients leave open without any activity whatsoever. To ignore this is is ignoring reality. Good faith must be present when making a job posting and when someone is applying. The problem is, these Upwork employees don't even do the most basic of things such as automatically flagging fake job postings. So if they just did their jobs, it wouldn't be difficult to notice the pattern of some clients who post tons of jobs, only to totally ignore them. 

[the-right-writer]

Yes, the comparison is valid. You have to pay for everything as a freelancer. Upwork does not do any vetting of jobs.

[jessalou14]

At least you are admitting Upwork doesn't even screen the job postings, thus the fake job postings. So why then are we paying for more without getting any additional value like the Trust and Safety team not even doing their work?