Summary of "FAQ en live : comment fonctionne l'algorithme de Malt ?"

This live FAQ session explores how Malt’s proprietary algorithm works to match freelancers with clients, the human element behind it, and practical advice for freelancers to optimize their profiles and increase their chances of landing missions. The discussion is led by Antoine (Community team), Radja (Product Designer), Camille (Product Manager), and Céline (support).

Main Financial Strategies, Market Analyses, and Business Trends

Algorithm Purpose & Market Positioning:
- Malt connects freelancers with over 90,000 clients across Europe, helping freelancers avoid prospecting and focus on missions.
- The platform automates administrative tasks such as contract creation, invoicing, and payment, with payments processed faster than traditional timelines (average 10 working days).
- Malt acts as an intermediary, controlling client-freelancer matching rather than allowing freelancers to directly approach clients.
Market Dynamics & Freelancer Positioning:
- Market demand fluctuates seasonally and by profession; some freelancers may see fewer offers due to supply-demand imbalances, not necessarily profile issues.
- Freelancers in remote or small towns can remain competitive by listing nearby major cities or multiple locations.
- Pricing (TJM - daily rate) should reflect true value and experience; underpricing may reduce perceived quality and chances of getting hired.
Business Trends in Freelance Platforms:
- Increasing reliance on AI and machine learning for relevance and conversion optimization.
- Emphasis on user experience improvements to ease profile updates and enhance client decision-making.
- Growing community engagement through tester clubs, webinars, and support teams to help freelancers optimize profiles and adapt to market needs.

How Malt’s Algorithm Works

Proprietary Matching Algorithm:
- Developed internally by a dedicated data science team.
- Uses machine learning to evolve based on historical data and client-freelancer interactions.
- Combines automated learning with manually added business rules to weight important criteria.
- Designed to mimic client behavior to optimize matching and conversion rates.
- All data remains internal and secure within Malt.
Human Element:
- Despite AI, final hiring decisions are always human.
- Algorithm highlights profiles based on relevance to client needs, but clients review and choose freelancers.
- Malt employs teams working closely with freelancers and clients to gather feedback and improve matching.
Client Search Options:
- Clients can search freelancers manually via a search bar or use an AI-assisted “Try the search” feature that combines algorithmic and human inputs.

Key Algorithm Factors and Profile Optimization

Factors Influencing Profile Ranking:
- Location relative to client (including IP address) influences ranking but varies per client search.
- New freelancers receive a 3-week “boost” to help them gain visibility.
- Profile completeness and freshness are critical.
- Responsiveness to client messages (answering quickly, even to decline offers) positively impacts ranking.
- Availability status updated every 7 days affects visibility; unavailable freelancers are hidden from search results.
- Skills, experiences, recommendations, and profile title are heavily weighted.
- Clients often browse beyond the first page; being on the second page can still yield good conversion.
Profile Completion Best Practices:
- Use a clear, specific title that includes job role and specialization (e.g., “Java Angular Web Developer”).
- Focus on relevant skills rather than keyword stuffing or duplicating similar skills.
- Add recent (within last year) and well-described experiences, ideally linked with skills.
- Include recommendations from previous clients or collaborators to build trust.
- Use LinkedIn or CV import features to quickly update experiences.
- Regularly update availability and profile information to stay relevant.
- Select up to five areas of expertise to align with client industry needs.
- Personalize responses to client messages, addressing their specific requests and demonstrating understanding.

Methodology / Step-by-Step Guide to Optimize Malt Profile and Increase Opportunities

Profile Setup and Maintenance:
- Complete your profile fully: title, skills, experiences, recommendations, availability.
- Use precise and specialized job titles and skills.
- Add recent freelance experiences with contextualized skills.
- Request and display recommendations to build client trust.
- Regularly update availability status to reflect your current capacity.
- Import LinkedIn or CV data to keep your profile fresh.
Engagement and Responsiveness:
- Respond promptly to client inquiries, even if declining.
- Personalize messages to client requests, showing understanding and relevance.
- Be proactive in clarifying unclear client briefs by asking questions.
- Negotiate terms (e.g., remote work days, daily rates) when appropriate.
Visibility and Positioning:
- Take advantage of the new freelancer boost in the first 3 weeks.
- Understand that search rankings vary by client and search criteria.
- Focus on appearing