Love them or hate them, client reviews are one of the most powerful parts of Upwork’s platform.
They can open doors, build trust, pad out your profile, and help freelancers stand out in a competitive marketplace.
But let’s not be one-sided. They can also introduce stress, uncertainty, and sometimes even unfairness.
Like most things in freelancing, client reviews come with upsides and downsides, and understanding both can help you navigate them with more confidence.
Here’s both sides to the argument (from an Upwork freelancer), and a few FAQs I see about Upwork client reviews.
The Pros of Upwork Client Reviews
1. They Build Credibility Quickly
When you’re starting out on Upwork, your profile is essentially a blank page. Alongside portfolio examples and a bio, reviews help fill it with social proof.
Let’s face it, a handful of strong testimonials shows clients that you’re reliable and easy to work with.
On a platform full of unknown freelancers, reviews become a shortcut to trust, and trust is often what wins you work.
After all, would you work with someone who didn’t have any proof of their good work? I know I’ve skipped some clients who have poor reviews.
2. Good Reviews Snowball Into More Good Clients
Upwork’s all-powerful algorithm favours freelancers with positive reviews. This shouldn’t come as a surprise!
The more strong feedback you earn, the more your proposals get noticed, the higher you appear in search results, and the more likely clients are to invite you directly.
Over time, reviews help create a cycle where good clients attract more good clients.
3. They Help You Understand What You’re Doing Right
Reviews can highlight your strongest qualities, and even help to reduce imposter syndrome.
You can even use them to identify your strengths.
For example, maybe clients consistently praise your communication or your admin organisation. These patterns can help you understand how clients perceive you and how to position your services more effectively.
I know for me, my reviews talk a lot about my ability to deliver work on time, and sometimes, early. I like to keep this up for new clients.
4. They Encourage Professionalism
Because reviews matter, they push freelancers to stay organised and communicative.
You’re more likely to keep clients updated, manage expectations clearly, and deliver work that exceeds what was asked — but sometimes, fear of getting a bad review goes beyond positive motivation and passes over into fear.
In these cases, clients can take advantage of you, and I think this is a major sore point of the Upwork system. But we’ll get into this below.
The Cons of Upwork Client Reviews
1. One Bad Review Can Feel Devastating
Every freelancer knows the fear of a single low rating.
Even if the client was unclear, unreasonable, or simply having a bad day, a negative review can hurt your profile and your morale.
Private feedback can also lower your Job Success Score without you ever knowing why.
I know anything less than 5-stars ruins my day. I always put 100% into projects, but sometimes, you just don’t gel with a client. It’s unfair to be penalized for something you can’t control.
Of course, this doesn’t stand if you did a shoddy job, though!
2. Reviews Don’t Always Reflect the Reality of the Project
Leading on from above, a review captures a client’s perspective, not the full truth.
Miscommunication, changing requirements, or unfair expectations can all lead to feedback that does not accurately reflect the effort and professionalism you put in.
But from the outside, who knows who’s telling the truth? Freelancers can also lie. It’s a tough one.
3. Fear of Bad Reviews Can Make You Tolerate Red Flags
Many freelancers stay silent about scope creep or slow-paying clients because they fear retaliation through feedback.
This creates an imbalance where the client has more power, and freelancers feel pressured to prioritise the review over their boundaries.
I’ve been here, especially when I first started freelancing. I delivered extra work and didn’t request payment in fear of a poor review. In this way, Upwork sets up new freelancers to be taken advantage of.
4. They Create Emotional Pressure
Depending on how you work, reviews can add ongoing stress to every project.
Even if you have done your best, there is always a moment of worry when a contract closes.
Will they give you 5 stars? Will your profile be hidden from the algorithm? Will you get work again in the future?
This pressure can lead to burnout if you do not consciously set limits and protect your mental space.
FAQs: Upwork Client Reviews
Can you remove bad Upwork reviews?
In most cases, no. Upwork only removes reviews that violate its Terms of Service.
If you’re Top Rated or Top Rated Plus, you can request a feedback revision, but full removal is rare and not guaranteed.
Can clients see bad Upwork reviews?
Yes. Any public feedback appears on your profile and is visible to clients.
Private feedback isn’t shown publicly, but it does affect your Job Success Score. Neither you nor clients can see each other’s private comments.
How do I leave an Upwork review?
After a contract ends, Upwork prompts both you and the client to leave feedback.
You provide star ratings and a written comment.
Reviews become visible once both sides submit them or after the 14-day feedback window closes.
How to view client reviews on Upwork?
Open the client’s job post and click on their profile or work history.
You’ll see feedback left by other freelancers, including star ratings and written comments. This helps you evaluate whether the client communicates well and pays fair Upwork rates.
They can also see yours, too!
How to get testimonials from clients on Upwork?
Ask clients directly at the end of a successful project, while the experience is still fresh.
You can also use Upwork’s built-in testimonial request feature if available.
Great communication and consistent quality make clients more likely to leave positive feedback, so be professional from A to B!
Final Thoughts
I’m the first to criticize Upwork reviews, but I won’t be one sided: they can also be helpful for boosting your profile and vetting potential clients.
Where possible, instead of fearing the review system, approach it as one part of your freelancing journey. A single review, good or bad, never defines your worth as a freelancer.
Need some help with Upwork? Read more on The Freelance Balance blog.