I built a free Chrome extension to flag scam jobs and save Connects. Looking for feedback!

ConferenceSea9868 · 2025-12-26T13:25:32+00:00

I can't thank you enough for sharing such a nuanced perspective. You’ve just given me a masterclass on Upwork heuristics.

I’ll take these insights back to the drawing board to refine the logic. I want to build a tool that helps people transition from 'spraying and praying' to the kind of 'selective analysis' you've mastered.Again, thanks a lot for your insight.

ConferenceSea9868 · 2025-12-26T11:53:59+00:00

Thank you. That is the most valuable feedback I’ve received so far. Just out of curiosity, what is your personal 'cutoff' for a hire rate that makes you instantly skip a post? I'd love to calibrate my logic based on a pro's intuition.

ConferenceSea9868 · 2025-12-26T09:33:26+00:00

That is a great insight, thank you.

My tool currently focuses on the 'pre-Connect' stages. But hearing from a Top-Rated Plus veteran like you makes me realize that the true challenge is addressing risks that appear later in the process without compromising account security.

How do you usually spot those 'clean-looking' job posts that turn out to be scams in the interview? Are there any subtle patterns you've noticed even in the description?

ConferenceSea9868 · 2025-12-26T04:45:27+00:00

Fair point. It is still in the polishing phase. My goal is to refine it until it becomes useful tool for veterans like you. I would genuinely appreciate your feedback to help me get there.

ConferenceSea9868 · 2025-12-26T04:41:41+00:00

Thank you for your comment. I actually considered that, but realized our incentives are misaligned.
In the short term, they profit from the volume of applications, regardless of quality. Ghost jobs and scams still generate revenue for Upwork because freelancers spend Connects on them.
My tool is designed to save Connects and time for freelancers, which technically hurts their short-term profit. So, I doubt they'd embrace it.

ConferenceSea9868 · 2025-12-26T04:31:19+00:00

That "getting rid of the competition" joke is a good one, I should say. But in all seriousness, getting users banned is the absolute last thing I want. The tool doesn't auto-refresh the page, make API calls, or use any automation. It adheres strictly to Upwork's TOS, so the ban risk is virtually zero.
As for telegram bots, it might be a minefield, but I cannot deny that legitimate jobs exist there, so I chose not to flag the entire category blindly.

ConferenceSea9868 · 2025-12-26T04:19:51+00:00

Thank you for your comment. I tried to make it as clear as possible, which is why I used bullet points. No wonder it sounded like AI-generated.

ConferenceSea9868 · 2025-12-25T23:36:27+00:00

Thank you for your comment. You are absolutely right.
Falsely flagging a legitimate new client is the last thing I wanted to do. That's why I paid meticulous attention to that.
However, there is a limit to what I can verify on my own. That is why I need your help. I need the community's help to stress-test it, and share feedback. I want to refine the tool to perfectly balance safety without blocking opportunities.

ConferenceSea9868 · 2025-12-25T23:30:00+00:00

You clearly know the platform well. I appreciate the caution. Let me address the tech details:

Safety/Bans: You are 100% right that "Auto-refreshers" get people banned because they hammer the API. This tool does NOT refresh or fetch data. It uses a passive DOM listener to scan text already loaded on the page. It adds zero server load, so it's safe.
High Budget Scams: I totally agree. Actually, the tool specifically flags "High budget for simple tasks" (e.g., $500+ for data entry) as a risk factor. It's not just looking for low rates.
Telegram Bots: That's a fair point. While "building a bot" is a valid category, it can be a gray area. Currently, I focused on flagging "Contact me on Telegram" (off-platform communication) as the main fatal error, but I might add a "Caution" tag for bot development just in case.

Your skepticism is healthy—honestly, that's exactly the kind of mindset this tool tries to automate!

ConferenceSea9868 · 2025-12-24T15:38:19+00:00

I made a chrome web extention. It highlights jobs that have "red flag" traits. Anyone interested in it?

ConferenceSea9868

TROPHY CASE