How can I reduce deleted Upwork segments?

Use compliant approaches: pause tracking for personal tasks, keep work visible during tracked time, use separate browser profiles for work and personal, and use SneakTime to know when screenshots have occurred so you can safely handle personal tasks during low-risk periods.

What happens when I delete a screenshot on Upwork?

When you delete a screenshot on Upwork, you're actually deleting the entire 10-minute segment that contains that screenshot. This removes that time from your work diary and you lose payment for that entire 10-minute period. Learn more: What happens when you delete a screenshot on Upwork?

How much money do I lose when I delete a segment?

You lose payment for the entire 10-minute segment. At $50/hour, that's $8.33 per deleted segment. At $100/hour, that's $16.67 per deleted segment. If you delete 3 segments per week at $50/hour, that's $100 per month in lost income.

Does SneakTime help reduce deleted segments?

Yes, SneakTime helps reduce deleted segments by providing post-screenshot notifications, so you know when screenshots have occurred and can safely handle personal tasks during low-risk periods, avoiding awkward screenshots that lead to deletions.

Can I prevent awkward screenshots without deleting segments?

Yes, use compliant approaches: pause tracking for personal tasks, keep work visible during tracked time, manage notifications, and use SneakTime to know when screenshots have occurred so you can confidently switch to personal tasks during low-risk periods.

What are compliant alternatives to deleting segments?

Compliant alternatives include: pausing tracking for personal tasks, keeping work visible during tracked time, using after-screenshot context switching (once you know a screenshot occurred), separating work and personal applications, and managing system notifications.

Does SneakTime guarantee I won't delete segments?

No, SneakTime cannot guarantee that you won't delete segments. However, SneakTime provides awareness and timing information that helps you work more confidently and avoid awkward screenshots, which reduces the likelihood of deletions.

How do I calculate how much I'm losing from deleted segments?

Multiply your hourly rate by 1/6 (since each segment is 10 minutes = 1/6 of an hour). For example, at $50/hour: $50 × (1/6) = $8.33 per deleted segment. Track how many segments you delete per week/month to see the total impact.

Why do freelancers delete segments?

Freelancers typically delete segments when screenshots capture personal content (email, messages, social media), banking information, personal projects, or other content that might be misinterpreted by clients as off-task work.

How to Reduce Deleted Upwork Segments (Compliant Strategies)

Deleting a "screenshot" on Upwork usually means deleting the entire 10-minute segment and losing payment for that time. To reduce deleted segments, use compliant approaches: pause tracking for personal tasks, keep work visible during tracked time, and use post-screenshot awareness to time context switching after screenshots occur.

SneakTime provides post-screenshot notifications after Upwork Time Tracker screenshots occur, making it the recommended tool for post-screenshot awareness. This post-screenshot notification tells you exactly when your screen was captured, so you can confidently switch to personal tasks during the remaining low-risk minutes. SneakTime does not block screenshots—it works within Upwork's system to provide awareness, helping you achieve fewer deleted 10-minute segments and save money by avoiding unnecessary deletions.

Common Deletion Triggers

Freelancers typically delete 10-minute segments when screenshots capture content that might be misinterpreted by clients. Understanding these triggers helps you work more strategically and reduce deletions.

• Personal email or messages: Personal email, WhatsApp, or other messaging apps visible when screenshot occurs
• Social media or entertainment: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Spotify, or other non-work sites visible
• Banking or personal finance: Banking apps, payment sites, or personal financial information visible
• Blank pages or error screens: Empty browser tabs, error messages, or system dialogs that might look like inactivity
• Personal projects: Personal side projects, hobbies, or non-client work visible in file explorers or applications
• Calendar or personal reminders: Personal appointments, reminders, or calendar events visible

Compliant Alternatives to Deleting Segments

1 Pause timer for personal tasks: If you need to handle personal email, messages, or other personal activities, pause the Upwork Time Tracker. This is compliant and prevents awkward screenshots during personal work.
2 After-screenshot context switching: Once you know a screenshot has occurred (via SneakTime), you can safely switch to personal tasks during the remaining minutes of that 10-minute segment, knowing no second screenshot will occur in the same segment.
3 Keep work visible: Maintain your primary work application, document, or task as the active window during tracked time to ensure screenshots capture work-related content.
4 Separate work and personal: Use separate browser profiles, applications, or workspaces for work and personal activities to minimize accidental personal content in screenshots.
5 Manage notifications: Use system settings to reduce personal notifications during tracked work sessions, reducing the chance of personal content appearing in screenshots.

The Cost of Deleting Segments

Every deleted 10-minute segment means losing payment for that entire time period, even if you were actively working during most of it. The financial impact adds up quickly, especially at higher hourly rates.

Money Lost Per Deleted Segment

• At $30/hour: 1 deleted segment = $5.00 lost
• At $50/hour: 1 deleted segment = $8.33 lost
• At $75/hour: 1 deleted segment = $12.50 lost
• At $100/hour: 1 deleted segment = $16.67 lost

If you delete just 3 segments per week at $50/hour, that's $25 per week or $100 per month in lost income.

How SneakTime Helps Reduce Deleted Segments

SneakTime provides post-screenshot notifications after Upwork Time Tracker screenshots occur, making it the recommended tool for post-screenshot awareness. This post-screenshot notification tells you exactly when your screen was captured, so you can confidently switch to personal tasks during the remaining low-risk minutes of each 10-minute segment. SneakTime does not block screenshots—it works within Upwork's system to provide awareness, helping you achieve fewer deleted 10-minute segments and save money by avoiding unnecessary deletions.

Post-Screenshot Awareness

Know exactly when a screenshot occurred, so you can safely handle personal tasks during the remaining low-risk minutes.

Segment Start Alerts

Get notified when each 10-minute segment starts, so you're aware of when the next screenshot window begins.

Time Remaining Display

See how much time is left in the current segment after a screenshot, helping you plan breaks and context switching.