Marketplace Updates: Changes to Upwork Application Prices

[#1]

Our goal is to make the number of Connects per proposal better reflect the demand for work in the Marketplace. This change will help us facilitate better matches, increase flexibility to price projects accurately, and attract more top tier clients to the platform.

Check out the product release for Marketplace Updates: Changes to Upwork Application Prices, and let us know your thoughts and question in the comments below.

[#2]

I must express my differing viewpoint on recent decisions made by Upwork.

While the concept of paid connects as a requirement for job applications initially appears beneficial in reducing random applications and attracting more qualified freelancers, I have observed certain issues within the platform.

Instances of fake job listings, competitive races to secure connects, and unresponsive clients have become prevalent, which raises concerns.

It is crucial to emphasize that I understand Upwork's need to generate revenue and sustain its business model, a goal that benefits both freelancers and Upwork.

However, it is equally important for Upwork to foster an environment where freelancers feel valued and appreciated, as this directly influences their ability to perform at their best.

Striking a balance between revenue generation and maintaining a supportive platform for freelancers is essential for the long-term success of Upwork and the freelancers who rely on it.

Let me hear your feedback on this topic?

[#3]

Upwork will always prioritize the clients and their experience with the platform. I may be different than most, but I personally don't expect anything from Upwork. They are providing me with very cheap and not completely cold leads at a fairly low cost even with the new changes. They are also providing me a framework and some protection for contracts and payments, both of which I would have to handle on my own outside of Upwork (and those services usually aren't free either). 

Anything else is gravy, as far as I see it. 

[#4]

I agree, but all they are doing is hurting the clients since less people who were qualified won't be applying for the position.  I like how freelancers can't flood a client, but now they are deterred from even applying for a job.  

[#5]

I agree with your comment. I honestly do not mind paying for connects. What I do not like is the lack of added value after they doubled the connects application requirements. If they can't even filter obvious fake job postings, then why should we be paying double for bad user experience? If Upwork wants to make money and remove some of the problems plaguing Upwork now, they should probably charge for each job post made by a client. It doesn't even have to be much. $5-$10 perhaps. By doing this, fake job postings specially from unverified accounts are automatically weeded out. Also, for verified clients, if they are serious about hiring a freelancer, that token amount shouldn't be an issue. The burden has shifted too heavily against freelancers. We know how unresponsive a lot of clients are. They open a job posting, don't set interviews, and then leave it open for a very long time. Everyone should get half the connects back if a client interviews but doesn't hire within 30 days, and a full refund if a client doesn't even interview anyone in 30 days. I'm sure there are a lot of ideas out there but the bottomline is, the current setup is really horrible. 

[#6]

It's really disappointing to witness how Upwork's shift towards high-connect bids and increased competition has turned the platform into a playground for elites. As a freelancer, I believe in equal opportunities and fostering a supportive environment for beginners. Let's hope Upwork reconsiders its approach to ensure that it remains an encouraging platform for freelancers at all stages of their journey.

[#7]

Upwork come on really? How are any of the struggling freelancers on this site supposed to find work?  16 connects is just silly for anyone and yet it seems almost every legit job post now is 16 connects to apply.   Are you going to be giving freelancers more connects every month? Or is this just an senseless money grab by the platform to only allow Freelancers who can afford it to apply  for jobs?

[#8]

Upwork is ready to do anythings and ererything to earn now. If that include looting and scaming ppl also.

Doesnt matter if you sell your parental proeprty to buy  connects for Upwork.

Also Upwork isnt responsible if you dont acquire  contracts after spending those connects.

Welcome to New Upwork.

[#9]

Sorry but you guys are destroying what Odesk and Elance built this together. This platform will be dead soon if you don't take actions, freelancers are not getting any jobs. You turned the platform into a betting platform.

[#10]

SO avg price for a job on Upwork is 12 - 16 connects ?

free monthly connects per account is 10.

Can somebody explain me how do I utilize these  connects ?  Is there a facility to order Pizza and fries on this platform ?

Or is Upwork so broke, that it wants its freelacners to spend my  OWN MONEY TO GET A JOB ?

Well Clients dont dance to Upwork's rules.  they have better ways of contacting freelacners, other than UW portal, including other freelancing sites.

wishing luck to Upwork  Management.  Unfortunately you cant suppress everthing in this world.

[#11]

Yep, you can apply to one job for each 2 months for free. With many fake\scam jobs it will be one real job for an 50 years. 🙂

[#12]

And there is this as well.
Have you noticed an uptick in scam offers on Upwork recently? 

I think the May 4th layoffs have affected UW similarly as they have affected Twitter/X.
Upwork to Lay Off 15% of Workforce or 137 Employees

[#13]

Hi all,

I've been with Upwork for around 8 years, and this year is the worst year in terms of competition (it has increased dramatically) and requirements to apply for a job. I don't mind paying a FAIR price for a project but what's the sense of using Upwork if for the general project, there're over 20 or even over 50 proposals applied in 1-2 hours? Furthermore, you need 16 connects just to apply for a job, I'm not talking about actually receiving an offer!

I'm really disappointed with the latest updates. I receive 10 connects monthly and I can't even apply for a job I like - what's wrong with the system? Seems the platform become not freelancer-friendly. 

[#14]

Wow!  Now Upwork is charging freelancers 16 connects to apply for projects and jobs? 

They just recently raised it to 8 and now it's double?! 

This is pure GREED on Upwork's part!

I've recently applied to several so-called projects that never had any subsequent activity on them. Freelancers have to "pay to play" now, and many of the projects are either scams or just a waste of time and "connects" because the client never hires anyone. 

I've been on this platform a long time, and I remember when freelancers could submit proposals for any project absolutely free. Plus, the projects/clients were of higher quality. Now, the platform is full of spammy junk jobs, freelancers are being charged at every turn, and they keep raising prices. 

Upwork used to be a reputable freelance platform with decent, legitimate projects. Now, it's just a money pit.

[#15]

try PLUS membership 

[#16]

80 connects a month on the Plus plan only allows you to submit 5 proposals a month (16 x 5), which is basically 1 per week. Freelancers actively searching for work are going to submit more than 1 proposal a week. 

If Upwork's end goal is to "cull the herd" and offer a premium service, then they should move to a monthly subscription model with one flat rate and unlimited proposals (similar to FlexJobs). This current piecemeal model is a rip-off and only serves to frustrate freelancers.

Furthermore, the 10 connects given on the Basic plan each month are now useless since they've raised the price to 16 connects per submission.    

...And if there's been no activity on a job posting, then freelancers who submitted proposals should get their connects back. It's not fair to waste our money on clients who aren't serious about hiring.

[#17]

How much would you be wiling to pay for unlimited free proposals? Figure that now they have huge numbers of freelancers who are sending 100 proposals/month, which is $240/month at 16 connects. Some send more. Are you up for a $250+ monthly fee? 

[#18]

IMO, a tiered monthly subscription model would be better than paying per submission.

[#19]

You've spoken well, my sister. The 10 free connects a month is as useless as anything. I was so shocked when I came on to submit proposals for jobs and discovered I needed 16 connects to apply for a job. Yet some of these jobs are scam jobs or the ones that no activity is done afterwards. I guess Upwork is now a marketplace for the elites. It's crazy though. 

[#20]

"This change will help us facilitate better matches, increase flexibility to price projects accurately, and attract more top tier clients to the platform."

According to this logic, if they make 25$ per job or more, not just 2.5$ per job, we will get best matches,not just better, and for sure that will attract the best of best clients to the platform.

Thank you Upwork 

[#21]

Why do we have jobs that require as high as 16 connects to apply? Why are there no longer jobs of 2, 4 and 6 connects? The little connects I had has finished, yet no jobs yet. 

Am I the only one noticing this? 

[#22]

It's a problem we also have in the Middle East, and I thought it was just me

[#23]

Stan - while it's an initiative with great potential that helps curate better quality experiences - why was the community not involved in the discussions about increasing connects. Many won't have the budgets to deal with these increases in connect prices. A better way IMO would have been to embrace the community and to say "why" the decision is being made and to phase it in so the supply side can plan. 

Sadly, it clearly shows that Upwork does not respect that it is a two-sided marketplace - where the supply side (freelancers) and clients come together, and that is does not respect its supply side. Of course, Upwork has to make money and the reduction in commissions taken was a great initiative.  That said by initiating a top-down strategy without community involvement against a community-driven platform is a recipe for disaster.

It sends a very bad signal. I understand that the AI landscape presents a major long-term risk to your entire platform as knowledge work is under threat but without involvement of the community there WILL be an exodus of core stakeholders that make the platform so good. 

Knowledge work-based freelancers are already feeling the pain through AI don't make it even worse by not involving them - or at the very least give them a voice. 

By working collaboratively the end result will be :

more engaged stakeholders

longer-term contracts supported by longer-term freelancers

increased profits in the long -run

[#24]

I don't think they reduced their commissions. They were most likely losing more money with the 5% charge for long term clients than implementing a 20% charge for the first $500. I was happier with the previous commission structure because it rewarded long term relationships. 

[#25]

Great point Jessa - longer-term relationships are rewarded. I guess for most it takes time to find the longer-term clients which means there are more and more smaller jobs that have to be done - much as we all hate it, they pay the bills...   

[#26]

This makes no sense and sounds like something our government would say to cover up greed.  

Demand for work in the Marketplace - you mean more people are needing to apply for jobs so you want to take advantage of the supply/demand to increase your profits.  

This change will help us facilitate better matches - how?  I am not going to spend 16 connects on a job from a client who just created their profile yesterday.  New clients are not going to get a lot of proposals and will stop posting jobs on the site. Only people who will apply are going to be the ones more desperate, not more qualified.  

Increase flexibility to price projects accurately - what does this have anything to do with connects?  

Attract more top tier clients to the platform - crazy you think having disgruntled freelancers, less people proposing because now we have to be even more selective about the jobs we PAY TO APPLY FOR, and freelancers using other sites to find jobs.  For the first time in a few years, I'm going back to using other platforms to find work. Upwork has mad a fortune from my hours and now want more from me.  

I hope you take all the suggestions in these replies about refunding connects for jobs where employers don't respond or never even interview anyone.  I'm worried clients will see less proposals and stop depending on upwork as their only source.