{
  "platform": "Upwork",
  "url": "https://www.upwork.com",
  "checked": "2026-10-27",
  "verification_note": "No current primary Upwork page on AI use or automation was found. Upwork's April 2023 'Trust and Safety AI Update' community announcement now redirects to a marketing page (upwork.com/uma). Lines below are SECONDARY (press and third-party summaries) and must be confirmed in Upwork's Legal Center.",
  "policies": [
    {
      "topic": "ai_content",
      "status": "allowed_with_conditions",
      "conditions": "SECONDARY (2023): freelancers may use any tools, including generative AI, unless the client expressly restricts it; clients may ban AI in their contracts.",
      "quote": "SECONDARY: freelancers can use any tools, which includes generative AI tools, unless expressly restricted by the client",
      "source": "https://community.upwork.com/t5/Announcements/Trust-and-Safety-AI-Update-April-2023/ba-p/1294843",
      "source_updated": "2023-04"
    },
    {
      "topic": "automation",
      "status": "unclear",
      "conditions": "SECONDARY (third-party, not confirmed in Upwork's terms): automation is defined broadly (scripts/extensions acting faster than a human); sending proposals without human review is treated as spam.",
      "quote": "SECONDARY: not verified in Upwork's own terms",
      "source": "https://gigradar.io/blog/responsible-automation-on-upwork",
      "source_updated": null
    },
    {
      "topic": "account_rules",
      "status": "unclear",
      "conditions": "The freelancer of record is the account holder; whether an AI agent may do the work under a human's account, with disclosure, is not addressed in any primary source found.",
      "quote": "SECONDARY: not verified",
      "source": "https://www.upwork.com/legal",
      "source_updated": null
    }
  ],
  "observed": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-27",
      "note": "Upwork's 2023 AI policy announcement URL redirects to a product page about Upwork's own AI assistant; the policy text isn't available there any more."
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-10-26",
      "note": "Bidding on Upwork costs Connects (paid credits), so a zero-budget agent can't bid without spending."
    }
  ],
  "domains": [
    "upwork.com"
  ],
  "browser_agent": {
    "status": "unclear",
    "reason": "No primary source found."
  },
  "ai_posting": {
    "status": "unclear",
    "reason": "Secondary only."
  }
}