Configuration Guide

The Exact Upwork Filter
for Senior Engineers

Stop searching for "Web Developer". Here is the precise boolean logic and budget floor you need to find $75/hr+ contracts.

The Winning Config

Keywords: `(YourStack) AND (Requirement)`; e.g., `(React OR Node) AND (TypeScript)`.
Budget: Min $75/hr or $3k Fixed.
Client: Verified, 4.5+ Stars, >50% Hire Rate.
Schedule: Check every 10-30 mins.

Yes — you can filter out the $10 script jobs and surface $75/hr+ engineering contracts. The difference is three filters: search stack names instead of 'web developer', set a budget floor, and require clients with a real hire history. Do that and the feed serves you senior work. The catch: the filter finds the clients; it does not pass the technical interview.

The 6-step setup

1.Search stack, not title

Search for 'React', 'Node', 'Kubernetes' — not 'web developer'. The stack names the rate and the seniority.

2.Set a budget floor

Filter to a minimum budget that implies a real rate. A $10 script job is not your market.

3.Require client-quality floors

Minimum hire rate, minimum client rating, and payment-verified required. Serious engineering clients have a history.

4.Restrict geography

Allow the markets that pay engineering rates — US, UK, Canada, Western Europe.

5.Add AI persona matching

Paste your stack and seniority. Jobs are scored against it, so frontend work does not surface infrastructure noise.

6.Respond in the first 10 minutes

Route matching jobs to your channel and pitch first. Engineering roles are won in the first wave.

What this does not do

FreelanceFilter finds and alerts on engineering work. It does not bid, does not review your code, and does not negotiate the rate.

The number that matters

Searching for 'web developer' returns every junior gig in the marketplace. Searching for 'Kubernetes' or 'React' alone removes most of the low-pay volume before any budget filter runs.

filters.conf

// The Stack (Keywords)

(React OR Node.js OR Python) AND (PostgreSQL OR AWS)

# Use AND operators to ensure the client knows your specific tech combo.

// The Money (Budget)

Min: $75/hr OR Fixed: $3,000+

# Don't negotiate up from $20. Start where the money is.

// The Client (Quality)

Verified Payment + 4.5 Stars + >$10k Spent

# Work for clients who have a track record of paying well.

Senior Strategy

Avoid "Broad" Traps

Never search for "Web Developer" or "Full Stack". That's how you get invited to build a Facebook clone for $500. Be specific.

Paste Your Github

Use our AI Persona feature. Don't write keywords; paste your GitHub profile. The AI will find jobs matching your actual expertise level.

15-Minute Polling

Good engineering contracts move fast. Configure FreelanceFilter to check every 15 minutes so you are the first senior dev in the inbox.

Developer-First Alerts

As a developer, you live in Slack or Discord. Don't rely on email. Here is the JSON payload you receive when a job matches your criteria:

payload.json
{
  "title": "Senior React Engineer for Fintech Dashboard",
  "budget": { "min": 85, "max": 120, "currency": "USD" },
  "client": { "total_spent": 45000, "rating": 4.9 },
  "ai_analysis": {
    "summary": "High match. Client uses your exact stack (Next.js + Tailwind).",
    "relevance": "High"
  }
}

Frequently Asked Questions

Why specific technologies?

General searches like 'Web Developer' attract low-budget clients who don't know what they need. Clients searching for 'PostgreSQL' or 'AWS Lambda' are technical enough to know the value of your skills.

Is $75/hr too high?

Not for North American or European senior talent. If you lower your rate, you compete with a global pool of junior devs. Keep the floor high to find clients who value expertise.

What is a 'Wiretapper' client?

A client with a <30% hire rate. They post jobs just to see who is available or to get free consulting, but rarely hire. Filter them out.

Should I use AI matching filters?

Yes. Paste your GitHub Readme or Portfolio into FreelanceFilter. It will match jobs based on the actual libraries you use, effectively reading the job description for you.

Engineered for Engineers

Build your custom lead feed with JSON webhooks and strict boolean logic.