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As inflation continues to squeeze Americans’ budgets, gig workers across the country are taking on more jobs just to keep up — but the safety nets they need still aren’t there.
A new report from Zety exposes a growing crisis among freelancers, rideshare drivers, and platform workers in the U.S., exposing just how precarious life in the gig economy has become.
Nearly 9 in 10 Gig Workers Are Taking on Extra Work Just to Stay Afloat
According to their survey of over 900 gig workers, 88% say they’ve increased their workload to combat rising living costs.
But more gigs don’t always mean more security. Over half (55%) now rely on gig work for the majority of their income, and yet 24% report they can’t always cover basic living expenses.
Despite the hustle, many gig workers operate without traditional benefits. 47% say their top concern is the lack of access to health insurance or retirement plans, while 33% are worried about burnout, both physical and mental.
Algorithm Trouble: 91% Have Been Deactivated or Penalized Without Explanation
A staggering 91% of gig workers say they’ve been deactivated, penalized, or shadowbanned by a platform without warning — a sign of how fragile their livelihoods can be. In response, 95% admit to “gaming” the algorithm in some way to increase pay or secure more gigs. More than half (57%) do it regularly, illustrating how dependent workers have become on opaque and unforgiving systems.
Popular, But Precarious
Gig work now spans a range of industries, but most workers are concentrated in just a few:
- 33%: Digital and creative freelancing (writing, design, editing)
- 32%: Labor-based platforms (rideshare, delivery, task apps)
- 25%: Online marketplaces (eBay, Etsy)
- The rest are in coaching, content creation, or professional services.
While gig work offers flexibility, 35% of workers worry about being banned from platforms, and 21% say inconsistent income is a constant stressor.
More Than a Side Hustle
For many, gig work is their primary livelihood:
- 46% earn between 51–75% of their income from gig work
- 9% depend on it for nearly all of their income
That level of dependency makes platform changes, seasonal dips, or sudden deactivations major financial threats.
A System Built on Uncertainty
Despite the high participation and heavy reliance on gig work, the system itself lacks basic transparency and accountability. The report underscores how power imbalances, lack of protections, and the constant need to “game” algorithms are creating widespread instability.
