Boosting Proposals Is Now Limited

[celgins]

I'm seeing a lot of freelancers who can no longer boost their proposals. On 26 January 2024, Upwork made a change:

See the announcement here: Boosted Proposals Are Now Limited to Eligible Freelancers

My guess is, Upwork's matching algorithm determines your eligibility to boost by analyzing your profile, JSS, skills and other data, and matching those with specific job criteria. The reason I'm guessing is because I'm not finding a full explanation for how this works.

[andriyofarts]

I wonder if this is a measure to stop boosting spam from throwaway accounts with free initial 50 connects.

[celgins]

It could be.

I'm still analyzing this move, but it could be a good thing. It could mean that unqualified freelancers whose profiles, work histories, JSS, etc., are too weak for a specific job--as determined by the algorithm--will no longer have the opportunity to boost their proposals.

[andriyofarts]

Execution might be "off" so far though.

The article linked in your post says:

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Boosted Proposals are available to freelancers meeting specific job criteria to help you rise to the top of the client’s list. To promote a quality match with the client, the boost table appears if you are a relevant match for the job.

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Just opened most recent job post and tried to apply.

At the very top it shows this:

Yet boosting option is still there:

I don't meet preferred qualifications but I can still boost. Okay. Must be due to "recency" of this feature.

ps: loved it when after some website update Upwork started to show exact number of proposals submitted to each job. It was good while it lasted 🙂

[atreglia]

Andriy, so you were able to boost for something you did not meet preferred qualifications.  Ironically, I'm unable to boost for a job I meet every qualification for.  This is crazy nuts.  I wonder if this is somehow their way of keeping boosted proposals out of the "Other" pile as was mentioned elsewhere.  It's so exhausting keeping up with a broken system.  

[celgins]

This is where I think the new feature will create problems. If the algorithm is determining a freelancer's qualifications as it relates to a specific job, the algorithm won't get it right every time. That means, you're shut off from boost--even when you are qualified to boost.

[wlyonsatl]

It'll still be worth submitting an unboosted proposal,if you're a perfect fit.

[celgins]

Yes--I believe it's always best for freelancers to submit to jobs where they're highly qualified.

For those who choose to boost, it seems the algorithms now evaluate you twice: 1) the "boosting algorithm" (or whatever it's called) determines if you're allowed to boost; and 2) when your proposal is submitted, the ranking algorithm decides where your proposal fits in the organic results.

In a perfect world, this recent change might be a good indicator of suitability. If the algorithm doesn’t allow a freelancer to boost, they might want to reconsider submitting a proposal and wasting Connects. The algorithm is essentially giving you a “hint” before you submit your proposal: “You’re not allowed to boost because you’re not a great fit. But you can still submit if you want."

That's only in a perfect world. Like Douglas Michael stated, the algorithms have been dreadful at times, and I haven't seen much improvement. It's still up to freelancers to determine if they're a perfect fit for a job and whether they should submit a proposal.

[feed_my_eyes]

---

 wrote:

It'll still be worth submitting an unboosted proposal,if you're a perfect fit.

---

On the contrary, if Upwork's deeply flawed algorithms think that you're a bad match for a project, your proposal will be hidden in the "other" pile, where it's unlikely to be seen by clients. I think that if the system doesn't allow you to boost, then you probably shouldn't waste your connects by bidding at all. 

This new policy is bound to negatively impact Upwork's revenue from connects, so I can't imagine that it'll last long.

[wlyonsatl]

That may be true, Christine. But so few of my unsolicited proposals are not opened anyway I'll take a chance now and then if I think I'm a perfect fit. There is zero doubt in my mind that I know more about matching my skills and a project's requirements than any of Upwork's algorithms.

[parasgraphic]

Being a regular freelancer here on upwork since last seven years with a good fortune, I must say that this system is not as organic as it was before.

As the profile is going stronger the lesser response from clients. 5-7 invitations per month are dropped to 1-2 invitations a year. Seriously?

Out of 30 proposals I just get one alert that "Your proposal has been viewed", how good the proposal is, its a secondary thing. 

[researchediting]

Unfortunately, we know all too well how dreadful Upwork matching algorithms have been, historically. The CEO even admitted as much to investors a few years back, and promised to address the deficiency. Frankly, I've seen only weak and indirect evidence of any improvement.

[celgins]

I agree. I can't say I've seen significant improvements over the years.

[the-right-writer]

Improvement? I have no evidence of such.

Yes, I do not trust Upwork to get anything correct. I do have evidence for this statement.

And for heaven's sake, why doesn't the management get someone to help them look at something more than a couple of weeks or months ahead? You don't need a crystal ball to see the obvious repercussions of some actions.

[atreglia]

Clark, you got that right!  I just now tried a few pages of jobs and can do very little boosting.  It cracks me up because I don't do "design" or "websites" but I can boost for that.  Just about the only thing I do here anymore is photoshop, and I can't boost.  I mean, I really don't care because I abhor boosting anyway, but the fact that I am unable to boost indicates to me that I shouldn't bother applying at all because my proposal will go straight to trash - connects and all, bam.  Some investment.

[celgins]

It cracks me up because I don't do "design" or "websites" but I can boost for that.

Wow! This is terrible because the "boosting algorithm" is getting it wrong. I guess we should expect it make errors because the ranking algorithm often gets it wrong too.

Like Will mentioned, I'm certain that freelancers who are experts in their fields will know more about matching their skills with a project's requirements than Upwork's algorithms. The problem is, we no longer make that decision with regards to boosting.

I also abhor boosting, but I might do an experiment just to see how absurd this proposal boosting algorithm is.

[atreglia]

---

Wow! This is terrible because the "boosting algorithm" is getting it wrong. I guess we should expect it make errors because the ranking algorithm often gets it wrong too.I also abhor boosting, but I might do an experiment just to see how absurd this proposal boosting algorithm is.

---

Yea man, aint that some crappiola?  To spare you the agony of finding the last screenshoot I shared, I’m posting it again below.  Now, for that photoshop job, I:

• Live in the US
• Met all skills and expertise requirements (all of them are in my profile)
• The vast majority of my jobs and earnings are photoshop
• Have long-term photoshop clients
• Am top-rated

So someone, anyone, please inform me why I was unable to boost for that.  If I’m unable to boost for something that is screaming my name, I don’t see any reason to apply to it at all, because we all know my proposal and connects would go straight to the trash—and of course I’d never be informed of that because Upwork doesn’t tell you when/why they’ve kept your money but trashed the proposal you just paid for.

This is what happens when there are too many secrets; it encourages and perpetuates unaccountability.  Shame on them.

I would, however, be interested in the results of your boosting experiment!

 

[rekasesh]

What if; boosting is the new way to keep them profitable? 

Assuming that they realise the need for both clients and quality freelancers, boosting could become the new norm for applying to jobs in addition to proposal connects. 

If they have stopped giving away free connects to bots, I am thinking that soon proposals will end in the "Other" pile when you don't boost.

You apply to a job for which you're a good/great/perfect fit, and the boosting algo concurs, but if you don't spend extra money, the rating algo pushes you out of the visibility line and directly into the "Ignored/Forgotten" folder.  

Whether you get the job or not, Upwork makes twice the money upfront.

It's still a casino of sorts given the competition in most niches, but you have the consolation of being booted out by an equally talented freelancer. 

The more things change, the more they remain the same. 

[celgins]

You apply to a job for which you're a good/great/perfect fit, and the boosting algo concurs, but if you don't spend extra money, the rating algo pushes you out of the visibility line and directly into the "Ignored/Forgotten" folder.

Yes--this is a terrible scenario.

When I first learned of this new feature, I almost couldn't believe Upwork chose to reduce the number of boosted Connects being thrown at jobs. But then I thought about the distinct possibility that it means Upwork intends to hike prices somewhere else; reduce the effectiveness of an existing feature; or force freelancers to pay for something in the hopes of winning more jobs.

[rekasesh]

I hope my fears don't come to pass.

[celgins]

Andriy,

I think I've seen this message before. I can't remember it being displayed so prominently because I rarely submit proposals these days.

My suspicion is that some preferred qualifications (i.e., location, English level) will still allow a freelancer to boost, while other qualifications (i.e., JSS, skill categories) will not. Just speculation--I really have no idea.

[spectralua]

Strange decisions. First they stopped giving bots 50 free connections. Now this. Did the upwork management really realize what faults they had done?

[celgins]

One can only hope Upwork management are reaching conclusions that favor competent, skilled freelancers.

[the-right-writer]

If they are going to keep this change, it has nothing to do with the skilled freelancers. Clients have been screaming about the boosting since it began, and many clients left. Of course, we have been telling them from the beginning that this was causing clients to flee the platform. If this remains, it is because the connects are lucrative, but they still need clients.

I have seen many proposals, and if I were a client and received similar, I would have left too, certain that there were no quality people here, and it was just a boosting game.

[e65392d2]

I  write the proposals and trying to boost them but there is no option available for boosting the proposal. The same issue occuring in multiple jobs. 

[the-right-writer]

Mykola, I wouldn't go that far! We do not know what amazing new and special to Upwork changes will appear!

[yofazza]

I didn't know if they really stopped giving free connects to new accounts, so I didn't respond to this earlier.

But I read some recent threads where mods said they are still giving it, 50 connects.

So, my comment about this 'limited boosting' is:

A quick solution to block the botted new accounts that annoy the clients (and don't give Upwork profits anyway), where they might lose some profits from preys real freelancers who got blocked by the algo.

Bot creators can adapt to this, unless they block the entire newbies accounts from boosting.

[spectralua]

Formally they do but many newbies create topics “no free connects!” As soon as this "malfunction" began I noticed that there were no more "50+ people willing" jobs. Bots are experiencing difficulties and there are almost no alive newcomers left. Jobs collecting an 5-10 proposals only within 3 hours.

It is clearly visible that all these "people" were bots. All this illusory activity on the site is a dummy. This is for a section from my area of expertise. I don't know about the rest.

[wlyonsatl]

How can you tell "no more than 50+ people willing to do each job"?

The plus sign indicates a minimum of 50, not an upper limit.

If new freelancers, or freelancers without a JSS, are not allowed to boost their proposals then that should have a significant effect on "freelancers" who are gaming the boosting system. Upwork wouldn't need to apply any other of its "algorithms" to determine whether any particuliar freelancer can boost his/her proposal on a new job posting.

[yofazza]

I think Mykola is talking about 'the time' to reach 50+, which is now slowed down a bit, at least in some niches. I felt the same way, although still much more than what it used to be, where getting views/interviews was easy.

If new freelancers, or freelancers without a JSS, are not allowed to boost their proposals then that should have a significant effect on "freelancers" who are gaming the boosting system. Upwork wouldn't need to apply any other of its "algorithms" to determine whether any particuliar freelancer can boost his/her proposal on a new job posting.

Yes but they still need to apply their 'unreliable' algo, to still allow some of their 'prey' to spend connects isn't it?

I agree with what Douglas said above, "weak and indirect evidence of any improvement".

[spectralua]

"50+" counter do not reaching anymore. 5-10 average.

My english not so good.

[the-right-writer]

Mykola, we all have miscommunications and misunderstandings, even amongst people who all speak the same language from birth.

[wlyonsatl]

Very interesting.

I expect this was necessary to answer complaints from clients (who found many boosted proposals were irrelevant to the work that needed doing) and from freelancers (who were being outbid by desperate/greedy/clueless/low-skill other freelancers who boosted their bids beyond what was reasonable compared to the value of the job).

If this new approach works, it is possible the modest 6% average increase in success rate for boosted proposals could improve, if a higher percentage of boosted proposals are from relevant freelancers.

But I still don't expect to be boosting proposals. I still get many/most of my new work through invitations for proposals, which need no boosting.

[52e6412b]

The thing is that our agency has great devs profiles. And no one can boost any job, even if it is the best match for their job history and skills. It's harder and harder to work on the Upwork each year.

[celgins]

Since Upwork is going full steam ahead with generative AI and using its machine learning algorithms for almost everything, why don't they add a voice prompt to this new boosting algorithm so we can interact with it?

Me: “I’m submitting a proposal to a job I find interesting and I would like to boost my proposal.”

Boosting Algorithm: “Neither your proposal nor your profile is a great fit for this job. I will not boost your proposal.”

Me: “What? I’m highly qualified for this job! I read the job description and I understand the requirements. I have more than 10 years of experience performing identical work for other clients and I have the skills and subject matter expertise to do the job. I’m 100% certain that I’m one of best freelancers for this opportunity and I believe I can bring value to the client.”

Boosting Algorithm:“Clark, I disagree. I’ve considered all relevant criteria and you’re simply not a good fit. Sure, you have experience, but your work history is weak, your JSS is non-existent, you rarely submit proposals, you have poofy hair...  and a bunch of other things I probably shouldn’t consider.

Just take my splendiferous, algorithmic word for it—you’re just not a good fit.”

Me: “Now, wait a minute!! Let me tell you something—I don’t care what type of fake AI, mathematical, scientific mess you think you are, but you’re not so great either. You can't even match people with the right jobs. I have shirts older than you and I could teach you a thing or two about matching a freelancer's skills and experience with a job description. You’re lucky you’re an inanimate, worthless bag of expressions, otherwise I would...

Boosting Algorithm: “Clark, there is no need to threaten me; it’s a terrible look for a human. I’m an algorithm. I’ve made my decision and it is final. However, you are welcome to submit your proposal without a boost. If you do submit, my wonderful cousin—the Ranking Algorithm—will be more than happy to assist you and will probably blast your worthless proposal into the lowest depths of organic rankings.

Have a good day.”

[rekasesh]

I can imagine this conversation happening with the bot requesting a feedback or thumbs up after this:

If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask before I tackle the next in line, the non-poofy haired one? Wishing you all the best on your non-boosting journey!

[jfandin]

🤣

Ahh the wonders of 21st century tech!

[loveneek]

I recently came to know about this feature and it was very sad to know that I can't even boost my proposals now even if i'm willing to pay more to show up.

Being a New Freelancer with zero earnings and reviews, I don't think I've much left to do on upwork though i believe I'm highly skilled individual who can surely help my clients in getting the maximum possible out of their budget on Facebook & Google Ads maybe even more than some of the top rated freelancers.

The new feature is just to make beginners lives even more harder. I'm very dissapointed and all I can do is just to try getting clients on some other platforms.

[688ca65c]

Hey 
Today somehow i can't see boost proposal option on upwork while bidding. 
I can't even get get to speak to any excutive on Upwork.

Need exact reason why it happen and what can be done to resolve it.

[2496e9c4]

How Can I Help You… what is wrong happened my dear