It's the incorporation process, not the algorithm, boosting connects, recession or the dollar.

[#1]

Hi, 

I have seen a lot of posts stating that top-rated freelancers are not getting any jobs. Most of them are saying it's because of the algorithm that has changed in Upwork and the boosting connects process is not helping either. 

I think the main problem is the incorporation process in Upwork has changed. When I joined the platform, I had to take a few tests, I talked to someone in a video call to get approved, and there was an established process to join which in a way assured the customers more quality freelancers will be available. 

Now I see "experts in word and excel", in the writing and translation section, people that can't speak English ( I'm not saying you need to speak perfect English, but at least a medium level to be able to communicate with customers). I even saw a post in Spanish the other day. 

That means they are accepting everybody who wants to join, regardless if they have studies, experience, or even a clue about what job they want to do. 

And this affects the established freelancers who have been working here for many years because all these new people enter the rotation of new jobs, which means you will see fewer jobs and fewer people would see your proposals.

It also attracts a huge flow of scammers because there isn't any filter to join. 

I agree with some opinions I have seen that you have to work harder to get any jobs now and that Upwork does not have to listen to anything we say, that they should only be worried about making a profit. I just think this is a move in the wrong direction. 

[#2]

UpWork arn't hosting this site very well. They need to be monitoring all of the job postings to stop scammers. 

Upwork need to stop new members joining for some skills, (temporarly maybe). It isn't ethical to promote a connect payment system to new members who are often in a vulnerable situation. I probably wouldn't have joined this site if I'd know it was gong to be this over saturtated. If the new members keep coming everyone (including the established freelancers) are going to end up losing. 

[#3]

I have to agree with this.  I went through something similar: Profile had to be reviewed/approved, then photo ID and some type of video call/interview.   It wasn't an 'instant' process like it is now. 

Maybe as an act of 'charity' during the pandemic, UW decided to 'open to the door' to any and everybody that wanted to join, regardless of skill sets or demand for those skills.  As a result, the platform has an oversaturation of new freelancers with very common, basic skills that can be found anywhere and a decreasing number of jobs available that need those skills due to automation.   "Good with Word and can type".  Yeah, so? Most people can say the same about their kids, nieces, nephews, and grandkids.  The platform is flooded with 'typists'. The people that are able to make a living on UW with just basic skills are the freelancers that have a reputation and proven track record on the platform to rely on and have already been on here for years.   They definitely need to stop letting any and everybody sign up everyday, because that certainly is not helping. Allow new freelancers with skills that are in 'high demand' or have  a truly unique, special skill, yes. But, allowing the platform to continue to be flooded with more 'typists' is just foolish if there are already 1,000 freelancer 'typists' submitting proposals for every 'typing' job on the board.  

Honestly, I think if a 'new' freelancer joins and is unable to land a job on the platform within, say 6 months, UW should temporarily supspend/hide their account for a year (giving time time to 'beef up' their skills or whatever).  If it's been more than 6 months on the plaftform and nobody has hired that freelancer, that means whatever that freelancer is trying to 'sell' just isn't selling, so you might as well take the profile offline. Kind of the same way stores remove products from shelves that aren't selling well or if they have too many of the same type of product. If you have 15 types of macaroni on the shelf, but customers are only buying 2-3 brands, then the other 12-13 brands get chucked from the shelves.  If there's no market for them, there's no market for them  , so you might as well clear 'shelf space' to stock more popular products that sell.  Not personal. Just business.