This article outlines the importance of selecting the right categories for your Upwork profile to help clients find you. Categories group related skills and specializations, giving potential clients a clear understanding of your expertise and helping Upwork match you with relevant job opportunities. You can review and update your categories anytime through your profile settings to ensure they accurately reflect your evolving skills.
When you create an Upwork profile, one of the first things you'll do is choose the categories that best reflect your skills and expertise. These categories help clients find the right freelancers for their projects, so selecting the right ones is essential.
What are categories?
Categories group related skills and specializations. By selecting the right categories, you give potential clients a clear idea of your expertise. You'll want to visit your profile to review the latest categories available, but some examples include:
- AI & Machine Learning
- Data Science & Analytics
- Web, Mobile, & Software Development
- Sales & Marketing
- Design & Creative
- Writing
- Engineering & Architecture
- IT & Networking
- Customer Service
- Legal
Within each category, there are subcategories and specific skills (or specializations) that offer more detail about the services you offer. For example, within AI & Machine Learning, you could specialize in AI Integration, Deep Learning, or Generative AI Modeling.
Why categories matter
Your selected categories and skills guide how clients discover your profile, and Upwork's search algorithm relies on them to match you with relevant jobs. Picking the right categories means you're more likely to get invited to jobs that align with your strengths. It also makes it easier for you to stand out when clients are browsing through freelancer profiles.
How to review and change your categories
You can adjust your categories anytime to ensure they reflect your evolving skills. Here’s how:
-
Go to profile settings
Go to your profile and choose Profile settings -
Find the categories section
Scroll down to see the categories you initially selected -
Edit your categories
Choose the pencil icon ✎ to add or remove categories as needed -
Save your changes
Your profile will be refreshed for clients to find your new skills
Frequently Asked Question
What if I work in multiple categories?
You can create a specialized profile with different skills. For example, you can separate out the work you've done as a mobile game developer from your work as a translator or graphic designer.
