Note:
Boosted Messages is currently being tested with a limited group of freelancers and clients. If you don't see this feature on your account, it isn't available to you yet.
Boosted Messages are promoted messages from freelancers that may be relevant to your hiring needs. They appear in your Messages inbox and are clearly labeled Boosted so you can distinguish them from other conversations.
You decide whether to open, reply to, or hide a Boosted Message.
Why Boosted Messages can help you with your hiring:
- Discover qualified talent sooner. Boosted Messages surface high-intent freelancers who may be a good fit for your hiring needs, without you having to search or post a job first.
- No obligation. You're always in control — open, reply, or hide a message with no pressure to respond.
- Your privacy comes first. Freelancers can't see your name, company, or contact details unless you choose to reply.
- Only relevant outreach. Messages are matched to your recent hiring activity, so what lands in your inbox is more likely to be useful to you — building on the hiring signals you've already provided to help you find the right talent faster.
How Boosted Messages work
When a Boosted Message is delivered to your inbox, you'll see it alongside your other messages with a Boosted label.
You can:
- Open the message to learn more about the freelancer and explore their profile.
- Reply to start a conversation and ask for more information.
- Hide the message without notifying the freelancer.
- Take other standard platform actions, like inviting the freelancer to a job, hiring them, or scheduling an interview.
A Boosted Message stays at the top of your inbox until you open or reply to it. After that, it's sorted with your other messages by date, just like a regular conversation.
Your privacy
You choose when to share your contact information with a freelancer. Until you reply, it stays private.
Before you reply:
- The freelancer can't see your name or company.
- The freelancer can't access your contact information.
- The freelancer doesn't see the message thread in their inbox.
Once you reply, the conversation becomes a standard Messages thread and both parties can continue communicating through Upwork.
Can the freelancer see if I've opened their message?
Freelancers only see anonymous, aggregate performance across all clients who received their message (like number of opens or replies) — never tied to your identity, unless you choose to reply.
Hide a Boosted Message
If you're not interested in a Boosted Message, you can select Hide this message.
When you hide a message:
- The message is moved out of your inbox.
- The freelancer isn't notified that you hid it.
- You will be asked to share optional feedback about why you hid the message — including flagging it as inappropriate, if needed.
- Future Boosted Messages from the same freelancer won't be shown to you for 90 days.
Notifications
Boosted Messages use the same notification experience as other new messages.
Depending on your notification settings and the device you're using, you will receive notifications when a new Boosted Message arrives.
Frequently asked questions
Why did I receive a Boosted Message?
Boosted Messages are matched based on your recent hiring activity, such as posting a job, inviting a freelancer to apply, or messaging with a freelancer. Freelancers use Boosted Messages to introduce themselves to clients they may be a good match for.
Does the freelancer know who I am?
Not until you reply. Your identity and contact information remain private until you choose to respond.
What happens if I open the message?
Opening a message lets you read it. You can decide whether to reply or simply leave it in your inbox.
Can I hide a Boosted Message?
Yes. If you aren't interested, select Hide this message. Hiding a message doesn't notify the freelancer.
Will I continue receiving messages from the same freelancer?
If you hide a Boosted Message, future Boosted Messages from that freelancer are suppressed for 90 days.
Are Boosted Messages reviewed?
Yes. Boosted Messages are reviewed before they're delivered to help maintain a safe and trustworthy marketplace.
What happens if I don't respond to a Boosted Message?
If you don't open or reply within 30 days, the message moves automatically to your Hidden folder — you can still find it there if you change your mind. You'll continue to receive new Boosted Messages in the future.
Can I report a Boosted Message?
There's no separate reporting option for messages. If a message is inappropriate, select Hide this message — the optional survey that follows lets you flag it as inappropriate.
How many Boosted Messages will I receive?
You won't receive more than one Boosted Message every 30 days, so your inbox won't be overwhelmed.