Upwork Updates

for Fall 2024

Fall always brings changes, and this season was no exception as Upwork rolled out several updates. These changes touch on various aspects, from JSS policies (which we’ve already covered in a separate article) to freelancer profile improvements and new tools for finding clients and projects.

From new portfolio rules to innovative tools like video cover letters and calendar settings, Upwork is becoming even more user-focused.

AI on Upwork: Mixed Feelings

The biggest buzz, however, revolves around the introduction of their AI assistant, UMA. Let’s just say, “no comment” — the Upwork Community page is already full of mixed reactions, and many users don’t seem as impressed as the developers hoped.

JSS and Profile Insights

One of the standout changes is the overhaul of Job Success Score (JSS) and the addition of Profile Insights. Upwork claims this will bring more transparency and efficiency to reputation evaluation.

For a detailed analysis of these JSS changes, check out our dedicated article that breaks down all the key points.

“Upwork Partnership” program

Another update isn’t exactly new — it’s more of a rebranding of a familiar feature. Upwork seems determined to create an “elite” group of freelancers for large-scale clients and corporations. Sounds appealing, right?

Previously, this effort included “Expert Vetted” freelancers through interviews and badges. Now, they’re rebranding this idea as the “Upwork Partnership” program. Will it work? Hard to say, but we wish both Upwork and freelancers in this program the best of luck — who knows, it might actually lead to some great collaborations!

Video Cover Letters

A game-changing feature that allows you to:

Stand out among competitors.
Make a strong first impression.
Showcase your confidence, communication skills, and professionalism.

In beta testing, we’re also seeing:

Client profile previews in interview rooms
Proposal statistics

These tools are super handy for evaluating client potential and gauging your competitiveness in the pool of applicants.

Proposal Insights

This feature lets you analyze your position against other applicants after submitting a proposal. Insights include:

Total number of proposals and how many were viewed, shortlisted, or responded to.
Average freelancer rates, including rates that received client responses (especially Top Rated freelancers).
Competitor skills, ratings, and experience levels.

These details help you adapt your proposals strategically, increasing your chances of landing a job.

Upwork also allows you to edit proposals after submission, but this feature is only available after activating Proposal Insights, which costs Connects (currently 10, though Upwork frequently updates this).

Client-Friendly Updates

Clients now have access to bulk actions like:

Sending multiple offers or messages at once.
Adjusting hourly rates for multiple contracts.
Closing several contracts in one workflow.

While this is convenient for clients, it has mixed effects on freelancers. For instance, mass messaging might flood your inbox with inquiries, but with little project information, it’s hard to gauge their seriousness.

Another new feature for clients is the ability to shortlist and compare candidates, similar to shopping carts in online stores. While this simplifies the decision process for clients, it adds a layer of competition for freelancers.

Productivity Boosts

Upwork now offers calendar settings directly on the platform. You can customize your availability, eliminating the need to block time manually in Google Calendar.

And, of course, there’s the update we’ve all noticed — Dark Mode! The platform now has a sleek, black look that’s impossible to miss.

Final Thoughts

These updates show that Upwork is trying to adapt and test new ideas. Some experiments, like charging clients to post jobs or making freelancers pay for invitation responses, were scrapped. Will these new tools be successful? Only time will tell.

One thing is certain: staying informed and adapting to changes is key to success on the platform.

Experiment with the new features, stay curious, and here’s to productive and successful collaborations on Upwork!