The problem is too many unskilled and under-skilled freelancers throwing connects and boosting at any job. It's not required to get a job. I do not boost, and I have been hired. I rarely apply for jobs here, because most are scams or will never hire, or pay pennies.
Yes, the last two+ years on Upwork have changed everything, and it literally is not the same platform. That's why you don't depend on one source for income. If one method is bringing a poor ROI, then you should not use it. Upwork decided to eliminate every limit for the platform or the different freelancer categories and the tests for the platform and each skill. Why? They said it was "too difficult." That's because they wanted the entire world to be listed as quality freelancers.
I have previously stated that the clients should stay with how they establish a job. Clients sometimes don't know what is best for them, but the majority are intentional switches. This should be covered under the scam rules, where freelancers receive the connects back.
Since applying and boosting isn't working, you need to make a change. With your skills and history, there are options for you to earn. Limiting connects to top rated won't help that much, because it is easy to cheat and become top rated. So, no, no one gets free connects for any reason. If it's a scam, then, of course, yes.
Of course, Upwork is making more from connects than from commission. Upwork, for unknown reasons, could never figure out how to make a profit, like the other jobs platforms do. In the years Upwork has existed, 10 or so, they never managed to break out of the red. I'm sure the shareholders were getting concerned, but the funny thing is, after all of their monetization, shares are dropping.
Upwork latched on to connects, and they ain't letting go. After firing 15% of their staff, with the connect for everything plan, they finally squeaked out a bit of black ink. Everything you do now requires connects. Want to be seen in a search? Spend connects. Want clients to read your proposal? Spend connects. This one is especially deceptive, because if you win the top boosted spot, it means you are at the top, but the clients don't have to read your boosted proposal. Want clients to think you can work at the drop of a hat? Spend connects. Every single thing on Upwork is advertised as bringing in more interviews, clients, jobs, and money, if you use those connects.
The solution? Upwork is not going to change. And will continue to monetize the connects, to convince the unskilled if they just spend connects and more money, they, too, will make millions, into the future. I am honest with freelancers, and warn the new and inexperienced that this is a dangerous place, and they must learn to protect themselves. I also tell them to stop wasting connects, which means, often, that you don't apply and look elsewhere for real jobs.
Since Upwork does not listen, the freelancers need to use their power. However, after multiple attempts, it never works. The power lies in - don't apply for dirt cheap jobs because some "guru" tells you this is how you start your career. Don't apply for jobs you aren't qualified for and throw connects at it. Don't boost, unless you know you are the best at the job, and have the hard skills to back up the claim. Then, if you really want the job, boost, within reason. This never happens. You have seen the jobs. People apply for everything and throw connects, hoping it will be the spaghetti on the wall and something will stick. If freelancers agreed to stop applying for dirt cheap jobs, giving away work, and all the other horrible ideas "gurus" tell their followers, Upwork would have to figure out how to survive financially. Unfortunately, that will never happen, because freelancers listen to Upwork and the "gurus."
