Upwork is performing a disservice to its customers

[penngrp]

I uderstand that selling connects is a revenue stream for Upwork. They even keep pushing how transparent the company is, by letting the freelancer see the number of connects needed to get one of the top 3 or 4 boosted positions. Yes, you could say this is an example of transparency, but I am fairly confident that studies were made to determine if freelancers would use connects if they knew the number of connects required.

Honestly, I am not concerned with the boosted proposals, I would rather see the proposals being shown in the order they were received, but that's not going to happen anytime soon. My issue now is I just saw my first posting that required 16 connects. There are less than 5 bids on it and I would not be surprised if it was "0". I would be pretty ticked off if I posted a job only to learn that it would take a freelancer 16 connects just to submit a bid.

[luce-neidert]

Jeffrey, how could you expect a platform such as Upwork to rely on the sale of connects for its main income? Unless each freelancer has become really stupid and spends a fortune on connects I don't see how making a few dollars here and there could be enough for Upwork  to make a large enough income.

Just consider how much Upwork has to spend hiring people to help freelancers because so many of them aren't even smart enough to read about Upwork before starting making all sort of blunders...

Although the theory of Upwork making a living out of connects is appealing, it doesn't make much sense.

[penngrp]

I know perfectly well that the sale of connects is only a small part of their revenue stream. My point was fhat Upwork is being ridiculous with the amount of connects they are requiring for some projects. 2 to 6 is fine. However, when a project requires 12 to 16 credits that is outrageous in my opinion. 

[luce-neidert]

Well, at least freelancers are taking the time to read the job post before making an offer. That might help real freelancers...

Post a job offer and you'll see what happens. It's horrifying.

[feed_my_eyes]

---

Jeffrey B wrote:

My issue now is I just saw my first posting that required 16 connects. There are less than 5 bids on it and I would not be surprised if it was "0". I would be pretty ticked off if I posted a job only to learn that it would take a freelancer 16 connects just to submit a bid.

---

How long ago was it posted? Most Upwork clients are inundated with proposals; I've never seen anyone complain about not getting enough responses. 

[penngrp]

The project involves a business plan and was posted 3 hours ago. I agree that clients typically receive more than enough proposals, but the greater majority of those projects max out at 6 credits.

This project requires 16 connects and after 3 hours still has less than 5 proposals. I find it hard to believe the required amount of connects to bid is not adversely affecting the number of proposals received.