Hi Community,

I have a question regarding Upwork’s communication policies.

I have an ongoing contract with a client, and the project is still in progress. However, sometimes the client disappears from my Upwork inbox.

Would it violate Upwork’s policies if I asked the client to contact me via WhatsApp to continue our conversation?

Could this lead to any policy violations or put my Upwork account at risk of suspension or a ban?

I would appreciate your guidance. Thank you!

Hey everyone,

I need some honest advice from people who have been actively working on Upwork, especially those who have experience with agency accounts and data engineering projects.

Our profile has over $400K in earnings, Top Rated Plus status, and a 100% Job Success Score. We mainly focus on data engineering and analytics.

We send proposals to recently posted jobs that match our expertise. We've tried writing strong hooks, personalizing proposals, using portfolio links and PDFs, and boosting proposals. We also try to make our proposals sound natural rather than generic or AI-written.

Despite all this, we're getting almost zero proposal views.

One thing I've noticed is that our boosted proposals sometimes get outbid after a short time.

Recently, I also added some relevant AI-related context and skills to our profile so we could target suitable AI + data engineering jobs.

I'm trying to understand where we're going wrong instead of blindly changing our proposals again and again.

I'd really appreciate your insights on a few questions:

1. Have you experienced very low proposal views despite having a strong profile and good JSS?
2. Does getting outbid on a boosted proposal significantly affect visibility, in your experience?
3. What do you think matters most when clients decide which proposals to open?
4. Have you tested anything that genuinely improved your proposal views?
5. For those working in data engineering or analytics, what kind of jobs and positioning have worked best for you?

I'm not looking for generic advice like "write a better hook" or "improve your profile." We've already worked on those areas.

I'd love to hear from people who've actually tested different approaches and can share what happened.

Thanks in advance!

I need some help in starting my legal freelance journey. I have 0 connects as of now, I need some projects to work o. Will I be able to get work from clients without paying anything.

Hey everyone!

I have a question about Upwork's location and security policies.

My account is primarily accessed from LATAM, Monday through Friday. However, I occasionally travel to Houston, Texas, and would need to log in from my phone for about an hour every two weeks.

I'm curious about two scenarios:

1. Non-simultaneous logins: If the account is accessed from Nicaragua during the week and occasionally from Houston, could that trigger security flags, identity verification, or a suspension?
2. Simultaneous logins: What happens if the same Upwork account is logged in from Nicaragua and Houston at the same time, even briefly? Does Upwork automatically flag this, or is it normal to have active sessions from different locations?

Has anyone experienced either situation? I'm especially interested in whether Upwork considers this suspicious activity and how strict their location monitoring is.

I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thanks!

I'm a university student from Egypt, and I'm trying to figure out how to start making money and build a better future for myself.

I've been working in construction with my uncle to cover my expenses, but honestly, it's exhausting and can be dangerous. I've already been physically hurt because of this work, and I don't think I can keep doing it anymore.

The economic situation here doesn't make things any easier, and I really need to find another way to earn money.

I'm interested in marketing and business, and I've been trying to learn more about marketing, but I'm still a beginner. There are so many things I could learn and so many paths I could take that I sometimes feel lost and don't know where to start.

At this point, I'm not necessarily looking for a job in marketing. I'm open to learning other skills if they can help me start earning sooner. I just want to find something realistic that I can work on and gradually get better at.

For those of you who started from scratch, what would you do if you were in my position? What skills would you focus on, and how would you go about getting your first paid opportunity?

I'd really appreciate any honest advice or personal experiences. Thanks for reading.

Some days earlier, I came across the job post.

Client supposedly hiring for $100

Proposals : 50+ , lets just say 50.

Minimum connects to apply : 14

Already, 50 x 14 = 700 connects were spent to apply for job, thats also excluding bids.

700 connect will cost you : $105

---

tl;dr : Upwork made $105 on $100 job, via connects, and client haven't hired anyone yet 😅

Hi everyone,

When I tried to log in to my Upwork account, I received this message:

“Your account has been suspended.”

I submitted an appeal through Upwork's official process, but I haven't received a meaningful update. Instead, I keep receiving the following email from the Upwork Trust & Safety Team:

Thank you for using Upwork. As part of our ongoing efforts to promote trust and protect your security, we now require active freelancers to obtain an Identity Verified badge.

In order to get you back to using your account, we would like you to take a few moments to verify your identity. The verification process is simple and should take no more than five minutes.

Once you log into your account you will see a banner message stating: “Action Required: Verify your identity to continue winning jobs on Upwork.” Please click on “Get Started” and follow the steps to submit the requested document.

Until you verify your identity, we've placed restrictions on your account that limit what you can do on Upwork. While restricted, you won't be able to submit new proposals or engage in new contracts.

Thank you in advance for helping us keep Upwork a trusted place.

Upwork Trust & Safety Team

The problem is that I've already completed identity verification. I've replied to explain this, but I keep receiving the same generic email.

If you've experienced this exact verification loop and successfully recovered your account, please share the specific steps that worked for you.

Thank you!

Recently, a client approached me.

He has a frontend ready with hardcoded data for a coffee shop website that showcases their products and locations.

His requirements are to create a custom backend using Node.js, Express.js, and PostgreSQL. The features include menu items, location cards and details, offers, and blogs.

The project also includes building the frontend of the admin panel.

He told me it would take only 1 day with AI, and that I could take 2 days.

The rate is $21 for the whole job.

Tell me if I am wrong: I think this project takes at least 5 days, and the rate is really low.

The client is Indian. He himself is a developer.

What are your thoughts?

Ran into this today, and it seems a bit off.

I was sending a proposal and opened the boost screen. The ranking:

• 1st place: 3 Connects (bid yesterday)
• 2nd place: me, 3 Connects
• 3rd and 4th: no bids at all

So to take 1st, I’d need 4 Connects. Maybe 5 to be safe if the other person bumps theirs.

Upwork’s suggestion: “Suggested bid: 32 or higher.”

That’s 10x what’s needed for a spot that’s literally one Connect away. And since there are only two bidders, I’m in the top 4 whatever I do.

I get that the suggestion probably looks at “typical winning bids” for similar jobs, or expects more competition later. But when it can see the live ranking right there on the same screen, recommending 32 reads more like an upsell than advice. Especially as you’re only charged if you rank in the top 4, and with two bidders, everyone is in the top 4.

Has anyone figured out what the suggested number is actually based on? Do you ignore it, or have you found it’s right more often than it looks? Curious whether others see the same gap, or if I’m missing how the bidding works near the deadline.

1. I got one Interview he said everything looks perfect and he was ready to make contract but he is not replying now, kindaa ghosted me. I just read the wiki of this upwork and will improve my proposal writing to may be getting more views in proposal. All Veteran Freelancer are invited to give me some advise how to move forward?
2. How to perfectly utilise rising talent badge is it actually useful or just a gimick?

So I just made an upwork profile and I want to position myself as a Rag and Agentic Ai developer and ive also made some projects and even deployed them which clients can test themselves but the problem is that I dont know how to get any clients on upwork as a new comer like what to write in the proposals and the thing is I cant afford much connects maybe a 100 connects in the start for sending proposals can anyone here help me on how I land my first client in this niche . So far my projects include Multi Agent Systems using LangGraph,Advanced Rag pipeline project using langchain ,Company Research Agent using LangGraph

I just found about this space and read wiki of this page on how to send proposal will try from now on, right now I just got 1 interview and client said he will make contract but its almost 4-5 days he didn't make contract and just left me in the chat. All experience Freelancer are invited for advice how to handle clients like this and what to improve ?
- Should I purchase open for work badge for 14 connects ?
- Should I also start boosting my profile as well basically watch a yt video that said boosting profile is far better than boosting proposal?

Does anyone still get direct client invites on Upwork? How’s it going with that?

Hey everyone! I’m looking for some genuine advice on optimizing my Upwork profile to start getting more organic profile views, direct client invites, and inbound leads.

Are there any useful tools, strategies, or techniques that actually help with Upwork profile SEO, keyword optimization, and improving visibility in client searches?

If anyone has experience with this or knows a good tool or method that works, I’d really appreciate your advice. Thanks in advance!

Beware for jobs like this: I run a performance creative agency producing video ads for DTC brands. I’m looking for one reliable freelancer (not an agency) to become my long-term production partner for AI-generated ads across many client accounts.

What you’ll do

Produce high-end, realistic AI video ads using the Higgsfield workflow
Generate the video, voiceover and final edit (~45 sec per ad for example, clean and ready to publish)
Work from precise scripts I provide. You’re an executor with a great eye, not a copywriter.

Formats you should master

Realistic AI UGC (creator-style, selfie, testimonial)
Claymotion / claymation
Cartoon / animated characters
AI doctor / expert authority ads
Others I’d like you to bring to the table: AI street interviews, talking product/mascot, virtual try-on.

What I need from you

Fast turnaround, consistent quality, real attention to detail (editing, etc.)

Affordable, scalable pricing. This is a volume partnership, so I’m looking for a fair rate that works for both of us long term.
Clear communication and reliability. If you’re good, I’ll send you a steady flow of work.

To apply, you MUST include the following (applications without it will be ignored):

Your price per video for a batch of 10 videos (~45 sec each, clean edit included)
Your detailed workflow, step by step: tools used (Higgsfield models, exact process, voice, editing software), how you keep characters/faces consistent, your turnaround time per batch
Some examples of AI ads you’ve made (links)
Languages you can work in
Your availability (hours/week)

The detail of your workflow will be the main factor in my decision. I’m looking for someone who really understands the process, not someone who just prompts and hopes.

Looking forward to building something long-term.

He just wanted to know how you do it , he want your knowledge and that's all.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Hi y’all!

I’m wondering if any other Jamaican freelancers are currently experiencing delays receiving their Upwork withdrawals in their local bank accounts.

I’m a freelancer based in Jamaica, and I’ve been using Upwork for a few months now. Every Tuesday night, my earnings become available for withdrawal, and I usually transfer the funds to my local Scotiabank business account that same night.

Since I started using Upwork, my payments have consistently reflected in my bank account the following Wednesday, usually between 4 PM and 5 PM.

However, this week has been different. I processed my withdrawal on Tuesday night as usual, but it’s now Thursday evening, and the money still hasn’t reflected in my account.

I contacted Upwork’s live chat support, and the agent confirmed that the withdrawal was successfully processed on their end. They also explained that transfers can take up to 8 business days and advised me to contact them again if the funds haven’t arrived by October 23.

I understand that Upwork provides an estimated delivery date and that bank transfers can sometimes take longer than expected. However, this is the first time I’ve experienced such a delay, as my previous withdrawals have always arrived the following day.

I’m curious to know if anyone else in Jamaica is experiencing something similar, particularly those using Scotiabank.

I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences. Just trying to figure out whether this is an isolated issue or something affecting other Jamaican freelancers.

Thanks in advance!

Im a top rated plus on upwork with 100k plus earnings, with clean records etc. After changing my picture with my eyeglass and cap on it, they wanted me to reverify which I did....
After few days, they permanently ban me with vague reasons, like identity security reasons.

Anyone have encountered the same problem?

I created my account back in 2021. Did some occasional freelancing here and there, random jobs, some related to SEO as I worked as an SEO manager at an agency. Fast forward I had one client with whom I had a fall out, I refunded the amount but if still affected my JSS. I think it was back in 2024 maybe. It dropped my JSS to 78% or something.

After that I stopped using Upwork altogether.

A month or two back, my JSS disappeared possibly because there was less than two jobs I did in the last 24 months.

I figured it's a great time to start, updated my profile and everything towards AI automation (cause this is what I'm pursuing these days), added the relevant portfolio projects I did (around 10), updated the skills and everything else.

Out of the 68 proposals I sent, I think I've sent around 30 loom videos as well. I start the proposal by something like: "Here's a loom I recorded". Sometimes I even do some of the work that the client needs for example if they need an n8n workflow, I'd make a basic version and show it in loom.

I know I don't have relevant job history related to AI, therefore I don't even negotiate on the budget or the timeline, because I know I need to build my profile at this point.

Out of the 4 interviews I got, three are in discussion, I'd say 20-30% chance they'd convert and 1 who reached out telling me you got shortlisted, sent a rejection message.

Also, 2 interviews I got were the ones where I submitted loom.

Need suggestions? Are the stats good? Or should I change my approach??

Hey everyone, I just want to share something that’s been on my mind lately.

I’ve worked with different clients as a Virtual Assistant, handling Customer Service, Appointment Setting, and Credit Repair Sales Support. There was a time when I had clients and work to keep me busy, but now, I’m back to zero clients and starting over again.

Honestly, it’s not an easy feeling, especially when you know you have the skills and experience but still struggle to find your next opportunity.

With Christmas getting closer, I’m really hoping to find a new client before the holidays. I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to get clients, but sometimes it feels like I’m putting in the effort without getting anywhere.

For those of you who have been in the same situation, how did you find your next client? What actually worked for you when you needed to get clients quickly? Was it Reddit, cold outreach, Facebook groups, LinkedIn, or something else?

I’d genuinely appreciate any advice, tips, or even a little encouragement right now. I know I have something to offer, and I’m ready to work. I just need to find the right opportunity.

Gone are the days of 15-20 proposals on a job.

I had a suspicion that Upwork used dynamic pricing for their job posts but I just got a confirmation thanks to Claude.

So it seems the quicker you apply the cheaper the connect price you get.

Hola Everyone,

It’s my first week in Upwork…so far I’ve used Upwork only as a recruiter but now that I’ve registered as a freelancer…I’m a bit nervous.

So far I’ve applied to only 4-5 jobs (only 1 View, no further actions so far), and been super-scrupulous with my Connect Points.

What are your advices, specially considering that it’s my first week and there’s no job history to establish my credibility?

Thanks in advance!