⚠️ UPDATE 2 (07 February 2026): Two new opportunities We found two new opportunities for generalists:
- Pila8 – referral – This is a voice data platform with quick onboarding Click here for more details on how to get a $4 sign up bonus
- Mercor – referral – Mercor is mass onboarding for a new generalist project for students. Pay goes up to $45. Its a great entry, if you can make it. Click here for more details.
⚠️ UPDATE (05 January 2026): Need work TODAY? While Multimango is paused, a new platform called Atlas Capture is instant-hiring for video labeling tasks. They are currently paying a 20¢/min Surge Rate. Click here to read our initial write up and sign up.
The author may be paid as a result of you using the referrals.
This article contains referral links.
Whether you called it Multimango or Project Aether, there is a good chance that the project has ended for you. Here is where the work is moving next.
If you work in AI data annotation—whether on Telus Digital, Outlier, Mercor, or CrowdGen—you have likely seen the signs. Project Multimango. The pay wasn’t great, and getting signed up was a struggle, but it was there and it paid. But if you are here, then you are probably one of the thousands that were let go in the last few days.
Whether the project is fully dead or just undergoing a massive re-calibration, one thing is clear: You cannot rely on this specific workflow anymore. If you have been let go, there is no guarantee that the project will pick back up, and, even if it does, you can’t rely on getting back in.
You need to replace that income immediately, do not wait for the queue to refill. Here are the 4 best alternatives hiring right now.
Why Is Multimango Ending Everywhere?
Without insider info, every explanation is speculation. Some people report that their onboarding documents indicated that the project is expected to last until December 2025. So the current shift is not unexpected.
In reality, the why doesn’t matter. Sudden closures are an undeniable element of freelance AI training work. Clients can run out of funds, their priorities shift, the outputs aren’t what they needed. There are countless reasons.
Also, AI training work shifts and changes over time, as new models are made or existing models reach new levels of performance. Just a few years ago, you could make serious money just tagging images. Now the training is getting increasingly specialized, and requires niche skills.
Despite that, you still have options for making money as a generalist.
The “Big 4” Alternatives
We have identified four platforms currently absorbing the workforce leaving Multimango.
1. Outlier (Generalist & Reasoning Queues)
Many users actually worked on Multimango through Outlier. If that queue is gone for you, do not abandon the platform—pivot to their other projects.
- The Pivot: Look for “Blueberry Bagel” or “Melvin’s Mansion” in the marketplace. These projects are more technical, but you can still get in without degrees (Blueberry Bagel especially).
- The Pay: Typically $15–$50 USD/hr, depending on your Tier.
- Strategy: The Outlier platforms offers projects to you, either directly or via the marketplace. If you dashboard is empty, the best you can do is update your CV to reflect any new AI work, and do any new skill assessments. If you have any projects, do them to increase chances of future work.
2. Alignerr (The Fast Payer)
Alignerr is now one of the standard platforms. It has a STEM and code focus, but there is plenty of work for generalists, and an active Discord channel.
- The Role: Generalist writers, coders, and domain experts (Law/Medicine). You can see the full list after signing up (referral link).
- The Pay: Competitive with Outlier, but often more consistent for those who pass the onboarding exams.
- The Advantage: Weekly payouts. Unlike the net-30 payment terms common with Telus or Appen, Alignerr pays fast.
- Best For: Workers tired of waiting a month to see their money.
- The Interview: Alignerr requires a CV and an initial AI interview, followed by options skill assessments. If you apply, be ready to talk about your experience to an AI.
3. Mercor (The “Premium” Path)
Mercor also hosted Multimango tasks, but their platform offers much more than just that one project. It is an AI-native hiring platform that places you directly with US tech startups.
- The Role: Long-term contracts for an array of projects. The list updates very often. Keep an eye on job listing table for new opportunities.
- The Shift: This isn’t just “task-based” work. It is an interview-based platform. You will be interviewed by an AI avatar (using your webcam).
- Best For: High-performers who want a stable contract rather than piece-work.
4. Remote Experts / Abaka AI (The “Hidden Gem”)
This is the platform flying under the radar. While everyone fights for spots on the big platforms, Abaka AI (Remote Experts) has been quietly onboarding thousands of annotators for “multimodal” projects.
- The Work: Very similar to Multimango’s “Project Coffee”—often involves describing images, videos, or evaluating search results. Current projects have a surprisingly high payrate with a $100 sign on bonus (referral link).
- The Status: Users report active onboarding and tasks right now, specifically for those in English-speaking regions.
- The Caveat: They use Payoneer and Stripe on a monthly basis, and some users have reported delays—but the project is legitimate and active.
- Best For: For now, it can be seen as a backup. However, as the platform grows, it would be good to be in already, to get an inside track on future projects.
Looking for High-Paying AI Data Jobs?
We aggregate the best opportunities from Mercor, Outlier, and Alignerr in one place. No spam, just jobs.
Find Work Now →How to “Future-Proof” Your Income
The winding down of Project Multimango teaches us a harsh lesson: Never rely on a single platform or project.
In the world of AI contracting, “Project Ended” emails are inevitable regardless of whether you work for Telus, Outlier, or anyone else. The only way to survive is to stack your platforms.
- Apply to all 4 of the platforms above.
- Keep accounts active: Log in to each at least once a week to prevent deactivation.
- Monitor the market: Use aggregators (like our one) to see who is hiring today.
Conclusion
Project Multimango was a great earner for many, but the market has moved on. The writers who pivot quickly to Abaka AI or the reasoning queues on Outlier will barely feel the gap in their income. Those who wait for the old project to come back will likely be left behind.
Update your resume, take the assessments, and get back to work.