Understanding Connects on Upwork: A Comprehensive Guide

Upwork, one of the world's leading freelance platforms, has a unique system for managing proposal submissions. This system, built around the concept of Connects, has evolved significantly since its inception in 2013. In this guide, we will delve into the intricacies of Connects, their functionality, and how they impact your proposal submission process on Upwork.

Evolving Proposal Submission Rules

Back in 2013-2014, Upwork freelancers could submit proposals for unlimited jobs, a system they called 'freedom of freedom.' This was a significant advantage for freelancers as they could easily win a wide variety of projects. However, in the later stages, Upwork introduced limitations to ensure a more controlled and high-quality job selection process.

Initially, freelancers were limited to submitting proposals for 30 jobs per month. To facilitate this, Upwork introduced a system of Connects, allowing freelancers to submit a certain number of proposals per Connect. The initial rule was that one proposal required only 2 Connects, making the free 60 Connects per month provide enough for 30 jobs a month.

As Upwork merged Odesk with Elance in 2014, the concept of Connects was further refined. Now, Upwork sets the number of Connects required for each proposal based on the job's size and complexity. Freelancers in the early days could purchase extra Connects for 1 Connect per Connect, but this is no longer the case.

Earning and Purchasing Connects

Freelancers receive a certain number of Connects each month as part of their membership plan. This number can be 60 or more, depending on the membership level. However, as of the latest updates, even the free membership level does not come with these Connects; they must be purchased.

Freelancers can also earn additional Connects through various actions, such as:

Maintaining a good job success score Receiving positive feedback from clients Complying with Upwork's terms and conditions

If a freelancer runs out of Connects, they can purchase them directly through the Upwork platform. Each Connect costs $0.15, and the number required for each proposal can vary from 1 to 6, depending on the job's intricacy and the freelancer's history with Upwork.

Managing Unused Connects

Once a freelancer has Connects, they don't expire as long as they remain active on the platform. However, if a freelancer is inactive for a certain period, the unused Connects may expire.

Refunds can be received in certain situations, such as when a proposal is declined or the job is canceled. In these cases, some of the Connects used will be returned to the freelancer. This feature ensures that freelancers are not overly penalized for failed proposals and can use their Connects more efficiently.

Understanding the Purpose of Connects for Clients

Connects also play a crucial role for Upwork clients. By setting a limit on the number of job postings, clients are incentivized to carefully choose their projects and ensure a high quality of work. This helps maintain the platform's reputation for top-tier freelancers and clients.

Understanding how Connects work can significantly improve a freelancer's chances of landing a job on Upwork. It provides a clear framework for managing proposals, optimizing submission processes, and maximizing efficiency.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the concept of Connects on Upwork is an essential aspect of the platform's operations. By grasping how these Connects function, freelancers can better navigate the proposal submission process and enhance their success rate on the platform.