Don't remove links from job posts

[ivanburmistrov]

Example from job post:

Here's an example of a template that we may use: (link removed)

Upwork... my heart is too full for words...

[yitwail]

That's interesting, I did a job search and found jobs with dropbox and google drive links. Perhaps the link was removed because the site is infected with malware

[ivanburmistrov]

No, of course. It's clear from the context that Upwork removes links to normal websites.

[yitwail]

I also found this link in a job post, looks perfectly normal to me. Perhaps Upwork hasn't gotten around to removing it, though it was posted 2 hours ago; we shall see:

http://ktar.com/story/1839074/skate-westgate-opening-second-year/

[pandoraharper]

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@Ivan B wrote:

No, of course. It's clear from the context that Upwork removes links to normal websites.

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 Context? What Context?

In fact, Upwork takes security very seriously and if the system finds a file that is malware or otherwise unfit, they will delete it. That is very likely what happened in your case. THAT, all by itself, would not prevent me from bidding on a job. 

Just say something in your bid like "in regards to the file you linked, said file is not available, or I would have done <whatever you were supposed to do with the file>."

[ivanburmistrov]

Pandora,

1. What context? Context of job posts. Make a search “(link removed)” and see.
2. Upwork removes links to websites, not to files.
3. Upwork takes care only about their own security and ignores the needs of users.
4. Your bids may be free for you, but my bids cost money. I need to look at the links in a job post before deciding to bid or not to bid.

[tlsanders]

A client can't provide links or other contact information that would allow freelancers to connect with them outside of Upwork, so links are probably removed if they go to the client's own site versus something like Dropbox.

[yitwail]

Really, all you need do is do a job search using the string 'http://' making sure US location is not selected, and there are pages of jobs with normal website links in them, so unless Upwork job screening algorithms are utterly ineffectual, it's categorically untrue that Upwork removes links from job posts for no reason. I'm a web developer, and there are numerous jobs that specify something like I want my website to look like this website (url) or that website (url), and if Upwork started deleting those links, they'd have irate clients screaming at them.

[tlsanders]

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@John K wrote:

Really, all you need do is do a job search using the string 'http://' making sure US location is not selected, and there are pages of jobs with normal website links in them, so unless Upwork job screening algorithms are utterly ineffectual, it's categorically untrue that Upwork removes links from job posts for no reason. I'm a web developer, and there are numerous jobs that specify something like I want my website to look like this website (url) or that website (url), and if Upwork started deleting those links, they'd have irate clients screaming at them.

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 I see those a lot, too...but, I have also recently seen some where the links had been removed, and there was no clear reason. I work exclusively for law firms and legal marketing agencies, so it's extremely unlikely that there was anything malicious in the links.

[ivanburmistrov]

John,

We all know that Upwork team is **Edited for Community Guidelines** so their screening algorithms can be **Edited for Community Guidelines**. I am afraid after improving their algorithms they will remove ALL links in job posts...

[ivanburmistrov]

Tiffany,

I understand your reasoning but if Upwork follows this reasoning too then they do an extremely absurd thing.

Many clients formulate their requirements in the following way:

"My website is www.website1.com and I want it to look like www.website2.com"

It is complete idiocy to remove such links.

[yitwail]

This might be an opportune time for an Upwork moderator to step in and clarify Upwork policy concerning links in job posts.

[katrinabeaver]

believe they remove all the links because if you remember a few months ago many clients came to the platform complaining about SEO and marketing companies calling them by the hundreds trying to sell their services. One reason this would happen is becuase the client would put a link to the website in their post, so these people wouldn't post bids, but instead contact them directly. 

I'm sure a quick search in the client section will bring up some of them. 

[kochubei_valeria]

All,

I would like to post more information about reasons why you may see "link removed" in job posting.

As many of you guessed already, links can be removed for security reasons. Also, links are removed when a job posting gets cancelled. If the client then copies the description and adds it to a new job posting, the "removed link" note will appear.

[ivanburmistrov]

Thank you, Valeria.

1. Could you clarify "security reasons", please?

2. "If the client then copies the description and adds it to a new job posting, the "removed link" note will appear" -- looks like a bug, isn't it?

[kochubei_valeria]

Ivan,

I won't be able to share any further details about our internal security processes to protect their efficiency.

The link is removed when a job is cancelled by design.

[kochubei_valeria]

Ivan and others, 

I'll check with the team regarding the jobs with the note you are referring to and will update this thread once I have more information.

[robbonj]

Following up on this... How exactly are we supposed to reference web-based projects so the designer/coder understands the scope of the work without linking to a website?  

[kochubei_valeria]

Hi Robert,

Security of our users is our priority and, unfortunately, links may be removed for security reasons. You can, however, send the links to freelancers during the interview.

[robbonj]

I don't understand how links to a knowledge base are a security risk? Besides, you're logged into a secure site. Your identity is verified by your payment method. It's not like some random person can just post links without recourse. By the time the interview process starts, they should already be able to see what the job entails or it will just lead to wasted time.