Specialized profile

Upwork's reason, from its update page: keeping several versions was work for freelancers, and its data showed clients "prefer to understand your full range of skills and experience in one place", with better hire rates on proposals sent with the main profile. After May 28, 2026 a specialized profile cannot be opened or recovered, by the freelancer or by support. Proposals already sent through one stayed visible to clients until June 28, 2026.

What moved and what did not. Portfolio items, earnings and work history, reviews included, were folded into the main profile automatically. The title, overview and skills were not; anything worth keeping had to be copied into the main profile by hand.

What replaced it. The main freelancer profile is now dynamic. When a client opens it from a search, or from a proposal, the work history, reviews, portfolio items and skills that best match the query or the job post are highlighted and listed first. Upwork says the change does not affect search visibility or rankings, and that what a proposal emphasises stays the freelancer's choice.

What it changes in practice. Splitting one person into several niche profiles is no longer possible, and guides that recommend it predate the change. Breadth now lives in one profile, and relevance comes from the samples, skills and contracts Upwork chooses to surface for each job, so a profile that covers two services needs real evidence for both rather than a second page for each. Upwork's own advice after the switch is to complete the profile, check that the title, description and skills reflect current work, and refresh the portfolio and video introduction.