How to use ad credits as a freelancer

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What are ad credits?

Ad credits are free credits you can use for Upwork ad products, such as Boosted Proposals. Freelancers who use ads are more likely to get hired, and ad credits give you a no-risk way to try them without having to dip into your Connects.

Ad credits don’t replace Connects and can’t be used for submitting proposals.

Where can I use ad credits?

Ad credits may be designated for a specific ad product or available for all of them:

How do I get ad credits?

Ad credits may be offered as part of one-time promotions for our ad features. If you receive ad credits, you’ll see them in your notifications and ad credits balance. We’ll also notify you by email and in your Upwork account when you log in.

We offer these occasionally to promote our ad features — they aren’t earned and can’t be requested.

Do I need to activate ad credits?

No. If you’re eligible, ad credits are automatically applied to your account. When you use an eligible ad product, we’ll apply your available ad credits first. If the total charge for the ad is more than your ad credits, the ad credits will be applied first before you’re charged Connects for the remaining amount.

Where do I see my ad credit balance as a freelancer?

If you have ad credits available, you can check your balance on the Ad credits page in the same spot where you track your Connects. When ad credits are applied to charges, you’ll also see that in your Connects history.

Do ad credits expire?

Yes. Each ad credit has an expiration date, usually within a set timeframe like 14 or 30 days. You can see the expiration date on your Ad credits page, and we’ll send a reminder in your notifications before they expire.

Are ad credits refundable?

Ad credits are not transferable, refundable, or redeemable for Connects or cash.

If you use ad credits to boost your proposal, those credits will be considered used even if you don't win the auction. For example, if you boost for 20 Connects using 10 ad credits + 10 regular Connects and don’t win the auction, only the 10 Connects will be returned — not the 10 ad credits.

Unused credits will remain in your balance until they expire. Once expired, ad credits can’t be refunded, reissued, or rolled over.

Can I choose when and where to use ad credits?

You can choose which ad products to use, but ad credits are automatically applied to any eligible product — you can’t hold them back for later.

Some ad credits apply to a specific ad product, while others can be used across multiple ad products. If you use an eligible product and have a matching credit, it will be applied automatically at checkout.

Can I stack multiple ad credits?

Yes. If you have more than one active credit, they’ll be stacked and automatically applied at checkout. We’ll always apply the one that expires soonest first. If that ad credit doesn’t fully cover the cost, we’ll continue applying the next available ad credit until the total amount is covered. Any remaining balance will be deducted from your Connects or charged to your payment method as usual.