Understanding and using Connects

In this article

• What are Connects?
• How do I use Connects?
• How do I buy Connects?
• How do I get free Connects?
• Where can I see the Connects I've earned?
• How do I redeem a Connects reward?
• Tips for managing your Connects
• When are Connects refunded?
• When are Connects not refunded?
• How do I check my Connects balance and history?
• I noticed the number of Connects required to submit a proposal for a job changed from when I first saw the post. Why?

What are Connects?

Connects are the virtual tokens freelancers use on Upwork to submit proposals for jobs, as well as for various ad products, such as boosted proposals and the Availability Badge.

How do I use Connects?

You can use Connects to let clients know you're ready to work in several ways. You can:
 

• Submit a proposal to a specific job post. The number of Connects you'll need varies per job and can change during the time the job is posted. We consider a range of factors, including project size, scope, and market demand. We'll show you the number of Connects needed in the job post
   
• Boost your proposal to put it at the top of the client's list and let clients know you're serious about their project. You choose the number of extra Connects to bid, but the winning amount will vary because you're bidding against other freelancers
   
• Turn on your Availability Badge to let clients know that you're available for work right now. The weekly number of Connects needed for the badge varies based on demand. You control the amount by setting the maximum Connects that you're willing to use per week
   
• Get the identity verification badge (a blue check mark) added to your profile once you successfully verify your identity. This lets clients know that we've verified who you are, building trust from the start.

How do I buy Connects?

Connects cost $0.15 (USD) each and are sold in bundles. To buy Connects, you'll need to have a verified billing method set up on your account. This is required even if you plan to use your existing earnings to pay for them.
 

1. Go to Connects > Buy Connects
2. Select the bundle or custom amount you wish to purchase and confirm to complete your purchase
3. Select Buy Connects

How billing works:

1. We'll first look to use any existing earnings balance on your Upwork account. But, if you don't have enough of a balance to cover the entire cost, we'll move to step 2
2. We'll charge the billing method you have on file with us for the entire amount due

The key thing to remember is that we can't split payments between your Upwork balance and your billing method.
 

If you'd like to keep money in your earnings balance to cover the cost of Connects, you can set up a reserve balance that won't be disbursed with your automatic or manual withdrawals. Learn how to set up a reserve balance.

Important: If you're trying to purchase Connects for your agency and running into the error message "Failed to load Connects transaction details," it's likely because your agency is still on the free Agency Basic plan. To unlock the ability to buy Connects, you'll need to upgrade to the Agency Plus plan first. Once you're on that plan, you’ll be able to purchase Connects as usual.

How do I get free Connects?
 

1. Connects rewards for new freelancers

• New users may receive a one-time bonus of 50 Connects after purchasing Connects or subscribing to the Freelancer Plus plan. If eligible, you'll see this offer when you sign-up for Upwork
• You may also earn Connects by completing onboarding tasks like profile setup, identity verification, and watching how-to videos

2. Free, monthly Connects

We run different offers at times and some freelancers may receive 10 free Connects each month. 

• Check to see your eligibility in your Connects history

• Our customer support team has the same visibility on your eligibility as you, and cannot manually add monthly Connects

3. Connects for earning talent badges

You earn 30 free Connects for each badge: Rising Talent,  Top Rated, and Top Rated Plus

If you skip a badge, the Connects are combined. For example:

1.  
   • If you become Top Rated but didn't get the Rising Talent badge, you'll get 60 Connects when you become Top Rated
   • If you go straight to Top Rated Plus, you'll get all 90 Connects at that time
   • The most Connects you can earn through the three badges is 90 total

4. Connects for activity

For submitting a proposal

You may* earn 18 free Connects when you:

•  
  1. Submit three or more proposals
     
     AND
      
  2. Spend a total of at least 54 Connects doing so

Important to know:

• *Free Connects for submitting proposals is being tested, which means Connects may not be awarded to every freelancer, even if you meet the criteria
• You can earn this reward twice per calendar month 
• Connects earned are delivered within 24 hours of meeting the criteria

When you submit a proposal you may also see opportunities to receive a one-time Connects bonus by completing educational content about trust and safety on Upwork. You'll find these opportunities through banners on your My proposals page, when they're available.

For boosting a proposal for the first time 

If you've never boosted a proposal before, we will give you 10 Connects if you successfully boost one and are charged for the boost at the end of the auction. Learn more about boosted proposals here.

This reward is only available once per freelancer and is delivered immediately once the auction ends and we confirm a successful boost.


For getting an interview with a client 

You may receive free Connects when you get an interview with an established* client on Upwork. 

Important to know:

• You won't receive Connects for every interview
• When you do receive Connects, the number can vary and may not match what you spent to send the proposal
• *Established clients, in general, are clients who have hired and spent on Upwork. (To prevent misuse we don't share the exact criteria.)
   

If you're awarded Connects for an interview:

• Some may show up as a refund (the Connects you originally used to apply)
• The rest will show up as awarded Connects
• Example: If you spent eight Connects to apply and earned 10 for the interview, you'll see eight refunded and two awarded