Upwork Just Dropped 9 Huge Updates—Here’s What They Mean for Freelancers

Upwork has introduced a range of new features and updates for Fall 2024, impacting freelancers and clients alike. From expanded AI tools to enhanced proposal management and new payment options, Upwork hopes these changes will improve the overall platform experience. Here’s a breakdown of some of the biggest updates for freelancers, along with what’s new, what’s changing, and what it all means for those relying on the freelance marketplace for work.

1. Job Success Score (JSS) Updates

One of the most significant updates is the launch of Job Success Score (JSS) Insights.

Upwork quietly launched this feature a few weeks ago, but the official rollout is considered part of the big Fall 2024 launch.

Previously, the metrics behind a freelancer’s JSS were a mystery, with users left to speculate how factors like contract outcomes and client feedback impacted their standing. Now, Upwork offers detailed transparency by showing the specific factors affecting the JSS on a contract-by-contract basis.

The JSS will also update daily instead of the previous bi-weekly schedule, giving freelancers real-time feedback on their performance. While this level of detail provides much-needed clarity, it adds new pressure for freelancers to constantly monitor and manage their reputation.

You can even see a breakdown of how specific contracts have impacted your stats over the past 12 months.

How to access Job Success Score Insights:

1. Log in to your freelancer account.
2. Click your profile icon in the upper right-hand corner.
3. Go to “Trends and Stats.”
4. Under Job Success Score, click “View Insights.”

This change aims to reward consistent performance, but it could also mean that even small setbacks—such as client misunderstandings or slow periods without work—will have a more immediate impact on freelancers’ scores than ever before.

2. New Cover Letter Videos

In a bid to enhance the proposal process and give freelancers a new way to stand out, Upwork now offers the option to include video submissions alongside cover letters. This feature allows freelancers to record a personalized video directly from the proposal screen, giving them an opportunity to introduce themselves, highlight relevant skills, and leave a lasting impression.

At launch, pre-recorded or edited videos cannot be uploaded, limiting freelancers to real-time recordings.

3. Expanded Integration of Uma AI

Upwork has expanded the role of its AI assistant, Uma—previously known as Upwork Chat Pro. Now integrated into the freelancer workflow, Uma offers tailored guidance for proposal writing, profile optimization, brainstorming ideas, and even coding.

Unlike other general-purpose AI tools, like ChatGPT, Uma is powered by OpenAI but trained on Upwork-specific data. This allows it to pull from real-time trends and anonymized platform success stories to offer industry-specific advice. For example, freelancers can ask Uma to create custom proposal drafts based on what has worked for similar jobs.

Limited access to Uma is available to all freelancers for free. However, users can unlock unlimited access by subscribing to the Freelancer Plus plan (currently $19.99). Uma is also being beta-tested on the client side to assist in job post creation and streamline talent searches.

How to access Uma:

1. Log in to your Upwork account.
2. Click the apps icon in the upper right-hand corner of your screen.
3. Select Uma.

4. Boosted Profiles Now Appear in More Places

Freelancers who pay to boost their profiles will soon see their visibility increase even more across the platform. Boosted profiles will now appear:

• At the top of relevant talent search results
• As highlighted candidates for interviews immediately after job posts go live
• In the recommended freelancer panels on clients’ dashboards

Upwork is also testing boosted profiles in other places across the platform, including on its homepage, potentially giving paying users a significant edge over non-boosted profiles.

6. New Proposal Management Tools

Proposal management is getting a makeover with two new features currently being beta-tested on select freelancer accounts aimed at helping freelancers fine-tune their bids. These new features include:

• Proposal Insights: Freelancers will now see average bid amounts, skill matches, and competing applicants for each job, giving them a clearer picture of the competition. This feature provides valuable data to adjust strategies and target jobs more effectively.
• Proposal Edits: Freelancers can now edit proposals after submission, allowing them to update their pitch with new details or refine ideas. This added flexibility could help freelancers recover from mistakes or improve their chances of landing jobs.

6. Upwork Messenger Gets a Facelift

The Upwork Messenger app has received several updates, with a focus on improving mobile workflows. Key upgrades include:

• Meeting scheduling directly through the mobile app, with support for third-party calendar integration
• The ability to manage fixed-price contracts, track milestones, and process payments within the app
• An overall streamlined, upgraded UI

7. Annual Freelancer Plus Subscriptions

The Freelancer Plus plan, which offers benefits like extra Connects and access to advanced tools, is now available as an annual subscription. In addition to the monthly perks, annual subscribers will receive a 20% discount on Microsoft 365.

At the time of this writing, Freelancer Plus is currently offered at $19.99 per month or $239.99 per year when paid annually.

8. New Partner Offers & Discounts

Upwork is also introducing a series of exclusive partner offers for freelancers. These benefits include discounts, free trials, and special access to services from major brands such as:

• Microsoft
• Unbounce
• Stride Health
• BetterHelp
• Guardian

To see current deals and discounts from Upwork partners, visit https://www.upwork.com/offers.

9. Venmo Added as a New Payment Option

Finally, Upwork has expanded its payment options by adding Venmo, offering freelancers and clients greater flexibility in managing transactions. This update aligns with the growing trend of using mobile-friendly payment methods and could streamline billing for users in the U.S.

What do you think of the above-mentioned Fall updates? Let us know in the comments below.