.Learn how to refer another freelancer on Upwork when you decline a job invite. See who’s eligible, how referrals work, and what happens after you refer someone.
In this article
- Can I refer someone else if I’m not interested in a job invite?
- How do I refer another freelancer?
- What happens after I refer another freelancer?
- What does it mean if I get a referral email?
- Do I have to know the freelancer I refer?
- Can I remove or hide referrals from my list?
- Do I earn any perks by referring a freelancer?
- Can I invite someone who isn’t on Upwork?
- What if the client is unhappy with the freelancer I refer? Does that impact my profile?
Can I refer someone else if I’m not interested in a job invite?
Yes! If you’re not available or the project isn’t quite right for you, you can refer another freelancer — as long as the job isn’t marked private (invitation only). It’s a great way to help a client and support other freelancers.
How do I refer another freelancer?
When you decline a project invite, you’ll see the option to refer someone else. Here’s how:
- Copy and paste the freelancer's Upwork profile URL
- Write a message to the client explaining why you're referring someone else
You can only refer one freelancer per project, so choose carefully. You also cannot invite a freelancer who has:
- Already submitted a proposal on their own
- Has already been referred by someone else
- Has already been invited or hired by the client
You also cannot refer for a project that the client has set as private (by invitation only.)
What happens after I refer another freelancer?
- We’ll notify both the client and the freelancer you referred
- The freelancer will see your referral in Proposals and offers > Referrals, and so will you
- The client will be able to tell that you referred the freelancer, not just that they applied
From there, the freelancer can accept or decline the invite like any other opportunity.
What does it mean if I get a referral email?
That’s a good sign! It means another freelancer thought you’d be a great fit for a job they were invited to but couldn’t take. Maybe they’re too busy, or it’s outside their skillset — and they passed the opportunity your way.
You’ll get the invite just like any other job post, and you can respond however you’d like.
You can also track referred jobs in Proposals and offers > Referrals.
Do I have to know the freelancer I refer?
No. You can refer someone you personally know, or you can search Upwork to find someone who seems like a great match. The main thing is choosing someone who’s a strong fit for the client’s needs.
Can I remove or hide referrals from my list?
The Referrals page is a permanent record of all freelancers you have referred and all jobs referred to you. Currently, there is no option to manually delete or hide entries.
If you want to focus only on current opportunities, we recommend checking the invites under the Active tab of your My Proposals page. This is the best place to review and respond to pending invitations without navigating through historical records.
Do I earn any perks by referring a freelancer?
There’s no formal reward. But it’s a great way to build trust with clients and strengthen your network — both can lead to future opportunities.
Can I invite someone who isn’t on Upwork?
No. You can only refer freelancers who already have an Upwork profile.
What if the client is unhappy with the freelancer I refer? Does that impact my profile?
No. The outcome of a referral won’t impact your Job Success Score, profile, or stats.