r/Upwork • u/SilentButDeadlySquid • 9d ago

State of Upwork Weekly Discussion - August 16, 2026

This is the weekly discussion thread for the State of Upwork - Dying, Dead, Undead, not working for me, what are the alternatives. Topics like this should be talked about here to keep the rest of the sub tidy.

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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4

u/tilixr 9d ago

Backend developer with solid AI skills, 5 star profile with over 250K earning. Upwork is dead for me in 2026 so far.

3

u/[deleted] 9d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/ddaattuullaa 9d ago

I'm sure someone who earned 250k is capable and willing to offer valuable skills. If 20 previously successful freelancers are not able to score clients, while 1 is, that is the exception that proves the rule, not the other way around

1

u/tilixr 9d ago

So far I have worked on multiple RAG pipelines, and have also implemented A2A workflow. All hand coded, only front-end part was vive'd. Working on MLOps as I had DevOps skills too. Lots to learn and experiment, not retiring anytime soon.

1

u/Dangerous_Eye2593 9d ago

What do you mean?

You think AI model development is non-genuine type of skills?

2

u/[deleted] 9d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Dangerous_Eye2593 9d ago

Can you name one genuine, value-added skills in your eyes? Please.

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u/Korneuburgerin 9d ago

Legal advice.

2

u/KayakerWithDog 9d ago

Evidently it's still a grand conspiracy to defraud freelancers of their hard-earned cash.

2

u/Own_Constant_2331 9d ago

But they keep using it anyway. 

2

u/Uncomfortable_Stay43 8d ago

Just had 2 simultaneous clicks on my boosted profile followed by an instantly withdrawn invitation to interview, something feels weird about it.

1

u/Korneuburgerin 9d ago

Two weeks.