Upwork 2024 Update pros and cons

[#1]

Hello freelancers, a few months ago Upwork made a big update on both the freelancer and client side, adding AI-related functionality. Please share how this update affected you personally, what pros and cons do you see in it, and how have you changed your client search strategy in line with this update?

Because I personally faced difficulties on the outreach side, since many job posts became similar due to AI, it became much more difficult to write cover letters, while I always try to make them personalized for each client. but the results on outreach are not very satisfying, so I'm interested in how you have adapted to the new functionality of the platform?

[#2]

It wasn't affected me anyway. I didnt saw jobs for my skills before (within past 2 years) and for now i see no suitable AI-job as well. Nothing changed. 😺

[#3]

Didn't affect me at all, I still use my personalised approach when searching for projects. However, the built-in one does contribute to my profile tips and tweaks. 

[#4]

I've seen fewer relevant job postings (and generally lower quality clients with smaller budgets) over the past year than I have seen in many years.

But I don't know any reason to think that Upwork's unspecified/supposed increased use of AI would have driven such changes. The answer may be macro (e.g. there are just fewer such clients in the US and abroad looking for help) or micro (e.g. Upwork has changed its marketing and advertising focus away from  the types of clients I used to see more frequently). 

But nothing Upwork has done makes it justifiable for me to have to pay higher fees no longer based on my success at getting new work via Upwork and generating revenue from that work. I expect Upwork will soon find, if it hasn't already, that pay-to-play has its limits. 

[#5]

1. I've stopped applying for jobs with high (AI-adjusted) connects prices. 

2. I've stopped being grateful for invites from Enterprise Clients for jobs on a standby, as-needed basis. 

3. My cover letters are more varied: less customized for less engaging clients. 

4. I put a price on consultations.

But these are all due to the offers I see rather than anything to do with the AI in the background. 

[#6]

I am in agreement. There is something fundamentally and seriously wrong about UpWork's business model in its current form. Its a 100% race to the bottom and a funnel for sending every opportunity overseas to the lowest bidder. Nobody can make decent money on this site from North America; in some fields perhaps but overall I defy anyone to counter.

I have mastery in my profession. 100% total mastery. Way more than Gladwell's 10,000 hours. So I expected results and invites and interviews. I sent 33 proposals that cost me say around $100 bucks and nada. Zip. Nothing happened. Why?

Before I explain we must understand that there are two operating fables underpinning this site. The first theme is your portfolio needs revamping. The second theme is rookie status. UpWork encourages you to fix, spend and apply - and re-apply until you overcome your rookie status and land a contract. Rinse, wash and repeat. Keep going no matter how long it takes. Its BS.

I don't buy it. All things being equal something should have happened in the 33 proposal stack I sent out. Something. I don't need to re-write and send 3000+ proposals. My work is awesome, my written work is awesome. Therefore I surmise buyers (clients, whatever you wanna call them) in my field are the lowest of the low. They appear to lack business acumen, good judgement, thoughtfulness and imagination. From 50,000 feet I feel they are woefully poor at managing projects and basically very low end.

So fond farewell. I'm outta here. I can waste no more time on a flawed eco-system known as UpWork.

My opinion, I call it like I see it.

[#7]

My guys, sorry , but the web site / dashboard isnt works , rignt?, than k you