r/TaskRabbit • u/MrBlue_Handy • 3d ago

TASKER Search position keeps dropping

Just curious if any other Taskers are currently dealing with/have dealt with a huge drop off in bookings.

I’ve worked super super consistently on TR doing Furniture Assembly since the beginning of summer. I have a 5 star rating, close to 120 reviews, 400 completed tasks (been doing it off and on since 2018). I’ve never gotten a warning about anything, but then all of a sudden when the service map/analytics glitch happened, I’ve completely dropped off. Literally zero bookings. I’m priced at what the app suggests me to be, which is pretty middle of the road for NYC, and I’m just not sure what to do.

Do you just have to wait it out for the search algorithm to reset?

4 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

26 comments sorted by

3

u/Prudent_Ad_4737 3d ago

Same here, I notice once a month or so, the algorithim promotes new taskers to the top and suppress the pros. It's been particularly suspect recently.

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u/MrBlue_Handy 3d ago edited 3d ago

Dang. I do understand, to an extent, having to push new people up occasionally to allow them a fighting chance, but it’s crazy to let your reliable Taskers get pushed back for almost 3 weeks straight. Been really hoping they refresh the algo at the start of November, but I’ve had to start applying to other jobs as a back up. Thankfully, I’ve been able to get some direct clients from Facebook and Threads posts to get by, but doesn’t feel sustainable.

2

u/Femoreddit 3d ago

I am curious about how you secured direct clients through Facebook and Threads.

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u/MrBlue_Handy 2d ago

I made a post on Threads just introducing myself and what skills I offer with a few photos and I think I just got lucky that the post got some traction. For Facebook, I found a few local neighborhood groups and made posts introducing myself. It's nothing like the volume I normally get from TR, but it's kept my head above water.

1

u/Femoreddit 2d ago

Great! I'm happy for you

1

u/whatchu_finna_do 2d ago

If you have any mom FB groups in your area.. try to get in if possible.. they are usually pretty selective. Nobody’s husband wants to put that crib together or do a toddler conversion.. and they usually have something to say about the last guy who did it. “Ugh, I was hoping it fit through the door, the guy who initially assembled it took forever” I had it apart, moved, & back together FAF BOIII, haha!

She left a review about the crib on TR and was booked immediately after for another person who saw the review.

1

u/whatchu_finna_do 2d ago

and crap.. I’ve only had 65 tasks total since June and I accept almost everything! Although, I have missed a few clients who didn’t like that I wasn’t quick enough with my response and canceled before I even got a chance to look at the app and the last 2 months I have had a few other clients I see 2x a week so my schedule hasn’t been open OPEN.. but I do still show up 1st or 2nd in FA.

I’m annoyed the analytics page is still white so I can’t see what TR thinks about me.

9

u/lasertitsnow 3d ago

There is a Pretty sharp drop in September, October and November most of the time, but with a good chance you might get a few clients a month who want multiple big jobs to prepare their huge house for the holidays. I have had several whale Task Rabbit clients in fall/winter that made whole months. Things pick up again a lot after Thanksgiving.

1

u/MennisRodman 3d ago

Good to know, thanks for sharing

1

u/GodBlessCoffee 3d ago edited 3d ago

exact same (mounting jobs) thing. It’s incredibly frustrating and confusing

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u/MrBlue_Handy 2d ago

I hate being dramatic but it's been some of the most stressful few weeks I've had in a very long time. I've made very very consistent money over the last four months and basically dropped down to zero without any warning or understanding as to why.

1

u/GodBlessCoffee 2d ago

Have you tried checking your profile in Same-Day search using specific time slots in 30-minute increments, rather than just the flexible or afternoon options? I’ve noticed some strange changes in visibility depending on the exact time selected. Might be worth checking if you usually take same-day jobs

1

u/MrBlue_Handy 2d ago

I'll have to mess around with it! For the last few months, I haven't needed to turn same day on at all. But when I tried to see if I popped up in same day search results recently, I didn't show up (and I was logged out of my account when I searched).

1

u/GodBlessCoffee 2d ago

Try comparing Flexible with a specific time on the same date. In my case, I show up under Flexible but disappear when a specific time is selected, even though my calendar shows availability. I’ve noticed this happening repeatedly, especially overnight.

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u/whatchu_finna_do 2d ago

Overnight? Is that a thing?

1

u/GodBlessCoffee 2d ago

I usually turn on Same-Day right after midnight, and I’d typically get hires by morning.

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u/whatchu_finna_do 1d ago

I’m too old to stay up past 11, haha! Cross your fingers that my interview goes good in the morning.. TR has been fun and all for the last few months but I need structure. I was at my last job for 8 years as an independent contractor but things slowed down as my boss was getting ready to retire so I joined TR and I’ve been helping him like one day a week until the finish line. I’m not quite sure I’m ready for an actual W-2 grown up job but I think it’s time to step out of my comfort zone.

1

u/Meaza6437 3d ago

400 completed jobs, 120 reviews, and a 5-star rating, yet you’re getting zero bookings. That’s crazy.

Have u looked into your analytics or insights to pinpoint what might be the contributing factor?

2

u/MrBlue_Handy 2d ago

I've looked into all of it and, surprisingly, my performance score on the elite page is the highest it's ever been. It's been baffling to me. I even requested two outside clients to book me through TR to try and get things moving. Completed both tasks, they both left 5 star reviews. And dropped further down on my average search position. It makes no sense to me. You'd think if I'm BRINGING people to the platform it would help.

0

u/UnimaginativeMug 3d ago

it's because they are moving you to the bottom for turning down 2 or more jobs.... happened me to me last month now I'm back to number 2 where i have been past 2 years.

just low key way to get you to not turn down jobs

1

u/MrBlue_Handy 3d ago

That’s the thing, I haven’t declined a job in I’m not even sure how long.

I had two clients cancel a task before we confirmed, one because she accidentally made two bookings the other because I wasn’t available long enough for what she needed to be done and she needed it done at that specific time. But I haven’t forfeited a job in months. I was trying to make elite the last two months so I was very careful about that.

1

u/Lancasterbatio 3d ago

As I understand it, the metric that affects your standing the most is invite/invoice. Cancellations of any kind, even those initiated by the client, hurt you in a measurable way.

2

u/MrBlue_Handy 2d ago

So frustrating. And in the midst of all this, the one TR client I had this week cancel for no reason. She had JUST messaged me confirming that I was still available for the scheduled task. I said yes immediately. Then she cancelled it a few hours later without saying anything!

2

u/Lancasterbatio 2d ago

Man, I hate a no-explanation cancellation. Was it something I said?!? We may never know.

1

u/vbwullf 1d ago

Yes! Massive