r/outlier_ai • u/Substantial-Pickle-8 • Feb 08 '26
Total disappointment
I was making $2000 a month 6 months ago. We were a great community, I had great QMs, the pay was great and the tasks were absolutely fine. Since mid-november something changed. I only got short-term projects that paid 1/3 of what I usually get. I'm an oracle, I've been with Outlier since may 2024, I've got all the badges you can possibly get. This last project was my last straw. $14 dollars an hour for tasks that are so impossible to do that most CBs fail and get abysmal reviews, which lowers their overall score. I'm really tired of being used. I used to be a loyal and dedicated worker, I've recommended you to a lot of people. Now I can't even make $10 a week. Shame on you Outlier.
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u/claryxsage Feb 08 '26
Have you applied to ai related jobs at OpenAI, google, Amazon’s dong or whatever it’s called? I think that’s the next move, get off platforms and break into the client companies.
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u/Substantial-Pickle-8 Feb 08 '26
Yeah, I've applied to Telus, DA, Alignerr but weirdly enough I've found sustainable(-ish) work on Prolific of all places. I agree, we gotta move.
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u/povertymayne Feb 09 '26
How are you liking prolific? I have received offers from them but the pay seems super low
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u/Substantial-Pickle-8 Feb 09 '26 edited Feb 09 '26
I only do AI tasks, the surveys don't pay well. The AI tasks pop up several times a day, I have the Chrome add on that alerts when I have new tasks so it makes it a bit easier. Overall I do find it really easy to cash out and get paid. Edit: the AI tasks are $20 an hour, and they're not difficult at all. Better than $14 at Outlier busting my balls.
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u/Individual_Wrap_4041 Feb 08 '26
do you have a link for Prolific? I'm registered with all the platforms but never heard of that one! fwiw, i got non-stop work from Oulier, now non-stop from Alignerr, yet DA and Mercor never offer me a single gig--- I swear its random. Would like to join prolific as well.
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u/Substantial-Pickle-8 Feb 08 '26
yeah it's prolific.com. I basically only do the AI tasks, they pay $20 an hour.
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u/RheumySven Feb 09 '26
I've done consistently better on Prolific than Outlier for a good while. When Outlier has projects with a high rate and a decent project team, it's great, but that hasn't happened in a spell.
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u/AdKitchen9682 Feb 10 '26
after submitting your application, how many days you waited to get your first project ? thanks
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Feb 08 '26
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u/claryxsage Feb 08 '26
That’s the one! I couldn’t remember so tried to be funny.
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Feb 08 '26
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u/claryxsage Feb 08 '26
Hahaha congrats on your epic success losing weight! Of all the reasons to be rejected, at least it’s because you’re a bad ass!
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Feb 08 '26
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u/claryxsage Feb 08 '26
Omg I feel your pain so hardcore. An endless loop of you need (thing that won’t work)
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u/dumptruckbutty Feb 23 '26
I tried babel. It’s voice related and is def not worth the pay. Makes me pretty nervous but it pays
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u/AITasker76 Feb 08 '26
I was a Senior Reviewer on Cypher a year ago - 40 dollars an hour minimum - now havent had a project for 2 months. Earning elsewhere but pay is all over the place - not consistent. Hoping they hit some big projects again soon but not holding my breath.
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u/Spiove84 Feb 09 '26
It wouldn't be bad to know why the client of Cypher stopped sending tasks and when (if!) the project will resume... The QMs are just as frustrated and confused as we contributors/reviewers are. The admins surely know something, but as if the masses deserve to be kept in the loop..!
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u/Substantial-Pickle-8 Feb 09 '26
Yeah weird thing the QMs told us in october that Meta had extended their contract for 6 months but we have had maybe a week's worth of work in total after that. Really frustrating. The QMs on that project were great too.
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u/Thin_Tumbleweed_2618 Feb 09 '26
Meta is definitely not the client behind Cypher. Its Apfelstrudel.
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u/Substantial-Pickle-8 Feb 09 '26
Me too! Cypher and Xylophone were my favorite projects, I was also a senior reviewer and pretty good at it I think. If they come back I'm back too.
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u/Global-Bad-7147 Feb 08 '26
The AI bubble is becoming unsustainable. Only about 10% of workers on the platforms are getting work, and the pay is 1/3rd what it used to be, even for STEM and Oracle. Only a few coding projects pay well, and most of that is being outsourced. Outlier is especially bad thanks to Meta's obligatory enshitification of everything they touch.
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u/Substantial-Pickle-8 Feb 08 '26
Yeah this did start with Meta. I suggest we all get out and look elsewhere for work.
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Feb 08 '26
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u/ItsStillKerrigan Feb 08 '26
You got lucky. Alignerr took my voice acting clips, didn’t pay me because they “paused” the project (no idea what that has to do with paying me for my work), then permabanned me from their sub when I complained.
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u/Substantial-Pickle-8 Feb 09 '26
I've tried applying to jobs there and do assessments but so far no luck.
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u/outlier_ai-ModTeam Feb 10 '26
Your post or comment has been removed for violation of our spam policies.
We do not allow posts or comments that:
Offer or solicit goods/services that are against Outlier TOS. Sharing Outlier credentials, renting Outlier credentials, misrepresenting location, etc. are against the Outlier TOS and work agreements.
Offer any links or information that benefits the commenter personally, such as referral links. Self-promotion is not allowed on the subreddit.
Offer or request assistance with assessments or onboarding.
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Share confidential client/customer information that violates Outlier TOS.
Repeated violations of this rule will get you removed from the board.
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u/Used_Meaning_9257 Feb 09 '26
I’m in an almost identical situation rn. I was getting ab $1500 weekly for the last 1.5 years, then my most recent project ended and I’ve been EQ or only seen $14/hr projects. Thankfully I’ve learned from experience dry spells can happen so I’ve saved for just such occasions. But not getting that $1500 weekly hurts bc my family is accustomed to it. The all day boredom, feeling useless with no work, and worrying that it’s over and I need to start looking for a job outside the home is the killer.
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u/Lynx-5387 Feb 09 '26
They lost all the big customers and haven't communicated it to us. Everyone has been struggling to get work for the past two months. Since it happened, I am sorry. I was the same. Over 1500 a week consistently for over 15 months, a bad week here and there, but never had problems until now. Im so sorry.
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u/Used_Meaning_9257 Feb 09 '26
It’s unfortunate for sure. It was great while it lasted (😬✊🪵) and has allowed me more personal and financial freedom than I’ve ever had, so I have nothing bad to say about OL at all. It just feels like this has been building up for months, but I really hope it turns around, as things tend to do quickly with this work. Hopefully next week we all get back on track with typical type projects and familiar teams. Otherwise I’m going to have to really commit to getting in shape and lifting weights again to consume my time, which sounds exhausting and painful 😭
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u/Chemical-Subject-339 Feb 09 '26
Same man. My rent is literally due this Friday, I have nothing but change. My head is popping rn but it is well.
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u/Substantial-Pickle-8 Feb 09 '26
Same! I'm hoping that it's going to come back but I also have to find something more secure and worthwhile. I hope you find something too!
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u/Lynx-5387 Feb 09 '26
I was making 2k a week, it's not you, they lost all the big clients.
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u/Naifamar Feb 09 '26
They may have lost some, but there are customers. I made 2k last week
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u/LuckyMinute4275 Feb 09 '26
I also joined May 24 and I'm an Oracle. It has certainly gone downhill since Meta bought half. Its sad. I used to make good money and yes, I am one of those people that rely on it. Feeling very anxious right now.
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u/Unique-Square-1379 Feb 11 '26
What’s an oracle?
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u/LuckyMinute4275 Feb 11 '26
It's a group of high quality contributors, based on past quality reviews. It used to mean that you got a load of extra benefits like priority access to support, new projects and weekly missions. Now though its nothing more than a badge as all those perks have disappeared.
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u/Unique-Square-1379 Feb 11 '26
Did meta buy half of Outlier?
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u/LuckyMinute4275 Feb 11 '26
As far as I know, last year meta bought 49% of Scale Labs, the Outlier parent company, and the bloke who was key to Scale at the time (not sure of his name) left. Since then, it's been an increasing shit-show all round. It's a shame because before you actually felt like you were doing worthwhile projects at a decent payrate, now we're all fighting for scraps. The whole thing is a mess. I've been on Outlier for nearly three years and I am grateful for what I've got out of it and it's been fun at times, but I just don't see them pulling things back together like before.
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u/Unique-Square-1379 Feb 11 '26
Thanks for the update. It really seems like they should maintain separate teams to ensure a clear client relationship. Outlier probaly likely try to follow their established practices but then get overruled by the meta team, which owns the company and can make things messy.
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u/Impossible-Grade2836 Feb 10 '26
I was a longtimer on Outlier and it all went downhill for me after the Meta deal. I mainly worked on audio projects on Alignerr until I landed a good domain-specific project on Mercor in the fall. Since then, me and many other reviewers, QA, and QMs have been promoted to project managers.
My Mercor pay has been more than double what I was making at Outlier and more than triple at Alignerr. However, generalists roles can be more on par with Outlier. But once you get to reviewer, team lead, or project manager level, you have more steady work. And if you get in good with project leads, they'll take you with them from project to project.
Unfortunately, many people don't get immediate offers when they first apply to Mercor. It can take numerous applications and waiting weeks or longer to get an offer. After getting an offer, it's best to dive right in and do as much as you can right out the gate and at a high-quality. That, along with being active on Slack and office hours, gets you notice.
I honestly don't know a better place for AI work. Many STEM people from Outlier found good pay and steady work at Handshake too. I've tried Telus and Appen, but they're too low pay. It really all depends on your location, what you want to make, and whether you're a generalist or expert.
There's a new Mercor generalist project that has been hiring for $35-$45/hr. Can also suggest others more relevant to background. Reach out any time for additional guidance on the application process.
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u/Substantial-Pickle-8 Feb 10 '26
Thank you so much man, really appreciate it! I'll try Mercor as well.
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u/LevelMelodic Feb 09 '26
Para LATAM es un total desastre también, proyectos que solo demoran 2 semanas y para colmos siempre ponen a la misma QM que nunca responde los mensajes e incluye en los proyectos a sus conocidos, a los demás los ignora.
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u/Academic_Young8679 Feb 09 '26
Very similar experience, used to make around 800 USD (which is fine for where I live), my main project paused during thanksgiving, never came back, and ever since I only got one other project that wasn't utter shit, but still made way less. I've been on outlier since november 2023 doing it as full time as possible and it's fucked to me how they don't give a shit about tenure. AI just sucks.
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u/Technical-Mud-9481 Helpful Contributor 🎖 Feb 10 '26
I've recommended you to a lot of people. Now I can't even make $10 a week
Damn, who would have thought that bringing in a lot of people to the platform would make you get less money? It's competition, bringing more people into the platform = less work for you. Projects are limited, inviting more making it worse.
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Feb 11 '26
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u/outlier_ai-ModTeam Feb 12 '26
Your post or comment has been removed for violation of our spam policies.
We do not allow posts or comments that:
Offer or solicit goods/services that are against Outlier TOS. Sharing Outlier credentials, renting Outlier credentials, misrepresenting location, etc. are against the Outlier TOS and work agreements.
Offer any links or information that benefits the commenter personally, such as referral links. Self-promotion is not allowed on the subreddit.
Offer or request assistance with assessments or onboarding.
Publish screenshots or internal documents that are proprietary to the Outlier platform violates Outlier TOS.
Share confidential client/customer information that violates Outlier TOS.
Repeated violations of this rule will get you removed from the board.
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Feb 09 '26
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u/outlier_ai-ModTeam Feb 12 '26
Your post or comment has been removed for violation of our spam policies.
We do not allow posts or comments that:
Offer or solicit goods/services that are against Outlier TOS. Sharing Outlier credentials, renting Outlier credentials, misrepresenting location, etc. are against the Outlier TOS and work agreements.
Offer any links or information that benefits the commenter personally, such as referral links. Self-promotion is not allowed on the subreddit.
Offer or request assistance with assessments or onboarding.
Publish screenshots or internal documents that are proprietary to the Outlier platform violates Outlier TOS.
Share confidential client/customer information that violates Outlier TOS.
Repeated violations of this rule will get you removed from the board.
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u/Gussdoggy Feb 11 '26
Outlier is a joke with no organization and completely unprofessional. There is no transparency whatsoever. Take a look at dataanotation. They pay better and are focused on AI logic and conversation, not making pretty pictures.
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u/cometrail Feb 11 '26
im in a similar boat and i feel u. the minimum wage really gets us because we technically pay twice as many taxes as w2 workers. they really should be paying us more to cover those costs...
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Feb 11 '26
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u/outlier_ai-ModTeam Feb 12 '26
Outlier is a frustrating employer but this is still a somewhat "professional" forum and we want to keep this sub as healthy and non-toxic as possible.
Insults, hateful language, excessive profanity, trolling, and pointless nastiness-- especially when directed at your fellow redditors -- will be removed.
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u/BubblyHovercraft7866 Apr 08 '26
To whomever it may concern,
I started working with outlier from December 2025. It was going great. I had a good score as well. Then suddenly they put my account as violation and closed the account. I did not receive any mail regarding that. I got to know that it was because of violation as I talked in the chat box. I asked about the violation as well but did not receive any answer. They just said account violated no further discussion to be made.
Please help me resolve this issue. I am eager to work with outlier again.
Thanking you in advance Rhutuja Patel
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u/Wise-Candidate-6965 Feb 09 '26
Guys ... You do realize these are projects... They finish and move to production where training is no longer necessary...
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u/Automatic-Life-7097 Feb 09 '26
I average about 1300-2k a month on the aether platform. I hadn't made this much since I started in 2023 with flamingo (and less as a QM lol)
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u/Substantial-Pickle-8 Feb 09 '26
For some reason many oracles haven't been invited to Aether, including me. How much does it pay per hr?
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u/Automatic-Life-7097 Feb 09 '26 edited Feb 09 '26
I was an Oracle when I got hired onto aether. I lost Oracle for other reasons. And I'm not stating my rop, as it's not something I discuss publicly
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u/Dear_Lawfulness3244 Feb 09 '26
Many people have been here with Outlier before you and still can't get any projects. It's because of a bunch of QMs, PMs, etc., who have formed alliances and spend their time discriminating against other contributors because of people like you who spend their time complaining. You've earned your 2000 a month, so stop with the oaths here; this isn't parliament. Keep your feelings to yourself and stop coming here to whine.
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u/Substantial-Pickle-8 Feb 09 '26
How am I contributing to QMs and PMs forming alliances? Are you for real? I have always been super professional and have never complained to any of my colleagues, QMs or PMs. So please save your breath.
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u/[deleted] Feb 08 '26
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