Why I see a lot of ukrainians in the search results?

[#1]

Firstly, I'm asking only for curiosity, I'm glad that this will help them a little in their situation right now and I don't have any problem with this.

but did upwork really improve the chance of Ukrainians appearing more in search results?

[#2]

If they are appearing more frequently, it shows that Upwork might be trying to do that.

[#3]

I doubt that upwork is doing that. 

It could be people trying to take advantage of the current situation by misrepresenting their location. 

[#4]

can you search for "front-end developer" for example, and you'll see 7 Ukrainians and 3 from other countries 

Click here:

front end developer - Upwork

[#5]

check an example : front end developer - Upwork

[#6]

I looked at the freelancers, and I saw no massive numbers of new or old accounts from Ukraine. Some freelancers have a bit sketchy profiles, but that is hardly unusual on Upwork. Most seem to be legitimate. I still see no evidence that Upwork is doing anything special to promote Ukrainians. There are other countries mixed in there, too. This is obviously beyond curiosity for you.

I assure you, if Upwork were discriminating in its policies, I would be demanding an explanation and immediate action. Consider the fact that an active war is taking place in Ukraine, which has forced people to turn to freelancing.

To state that one category is being promoted above others requires data, not a casual observation.

I understand that things can appear unfair. In this case, I can find nothing to support your claim.

[#7 · Accepted solution]

I feel comfortable replying with a definite "no" to your question. Upwork is here to make money. There is no monetary logic to promoting one group over another, no matter how tragic the situation. There would undoubtedly be repercussions from the freelancers should such preferences be shown.

Martina makes a good point as the scammers and thieves move their fictional country around the globe when the suckers run dry. With the number of scams these days, there is a high probability that explains at least part of what you are seeing.

[#8]

This seems unlikely.   I think the profiles are being ranked by best match plus best reputation/performance on Upwork.  While there are a number of Ukranian people showing up along with many other countries, almost all of the Ukranian profiles are either Top Rated or Top Rated Plus, with 100% JSS scores, and thousands of dollars earned.   Everybody on that first page, regardless of country, either has over 10k+ earned, or a badge, or both.  I think it's just coincidence or the fact they simply have tons of great developers in that region.  Also, the 'order' and whose on the front page changes everytime you refresh it, like a deck of cards being shuffled. I don't think Upwork is 'promoting' one country over another

[#9]

thank you so much for your reply, I just have a comment on "Also, the 'order' and whose on the front page changes everytime you refresh it"  actually it doesn't get new people in my view. 

[#10]

No, they're actually changing but not after refreshing the page, if I refresh they'll still be the same but when you delete the chace new results will appear.

[#11]

I think due to the war and current country situation they're getting first prority and UpWork Updated some of their searching terms. Thanks, Raju

[#12]

I'm sorry for this question. It was a coincidence, I searched for front-end developer and get 7 Ukrainians in a 10-result page, I refreshed the page I got the same results so I asked.

after restarting my PC got different results