1️⃣ Google Their Name
- Check LinkedIn, personal website, portfolio, previous publications
2️⃣ Look for Published Work / Articles
- Online articles, press releases, blogs
- Data-driven research or SEO content
3️⃣ Cross-Check Upwork Portfolio
- Make sure portfolio claims match Google results
- Watch out for fake / stock content
4️⃣ Check Social Proof / References
- LinkedIn recommendations, Twitter/X, Medium posts → credibility
5️⃣ Watch for Red Flags
- No online presence, unverifiable work
- Only generic content, no research-driven publications
- Multiple profiles with different names or same photo