Outlier Empty Queue (EQ) Decoded: Glitch, Review, or Fired?
Staring at "Your queue is currently empty"? We explain the difference between a Green EQ (Wait) and Red EQ (Review), how to use Discourse to find tasks, and when to diversify.
You log into Outlier (Scale AI), ready to work, and see the message: "Your queue is currently empty."
Your first thought: Am I fired?
The honest answer: Maybe not. Outlier is notoriously chaotic. Empty Queue (EQ) can mean a technical glitch, a project pause, a roster reshuffle, OR an actual quality issue. This guide teaches you which one you have and what to actually do about it.
Why You're in EQ
Outlier's infrastructure is older and buggier than newer platforms like Alignerr or DataAnnotation. Their systems frequently collide:
Task Queue
What project managers see (updated frequently)
Your Dashboard
What you see (sometimes delays 6-12 hours)
Discourse Announcements
Where real project drops happen (most users miss this)
Translation: Projects often exist. Your dashboard just doesn't know about them yet. Or they got filled before your dashboard updated.
The Discourse Strategy
Outlier moved from Slack to Discourse (their own forum). Most users don't know this. Project managers frequently post allocation announcements like:
"Just loaded 500 tasks in 'Bee' project."
"First 50 responses get added to queue manually."
"Reply here if you are EQ."
How to Win the Discourse Game
- 1. Log into Outlier Discourse daily. This is mandatory.
- 2. Go to your domain category (e.g., "Coding," "Generalist," "Math").
- 3. Look for "Allocations" or "Queue" threads.
- 4. Comment immediately. The first 50 usually get added manually.
- 5. Turn on browser notifications for the threads you care about.
Why this works: 90% of Outlier users don't know about Discourse. You are competing against 10% of the community, not 100%.
The Enablement Trap
Check your "Training" or "Enablement" tab. Do you see low-pay ($5) or unpaid training tasks?
Complete them immediately.
Why This Matters
Outlier's algorithm treats training tasks as "Gatekeys." If you don't complete them, the system flags you as "Inactive" or "Unqualified."
Many users ignore a $5 training task and then wonder why they sit in EQ for weeks. Then they complete the training, and suddenly—real projects appear.
This is backwards. The training tasks ARE the signal that you are serious.
Decoding Your EQ Status
Not all Empty Queues are the same. Look at the exact message on your dashboard.
🟢 Green EQ: "Finding a Project"
"We are currently finding a project that matches your skills..."
Meaning: You are in good standing. Just wait. Check Discourse daily.
🔴 Red EQ: "Under Review"
"Your account is currently under review..."
Meaning: You likely failed a quality check. A human is looking at your work.
For Green EQ:
Refresh your dashboard once daily. Check Discourse 3x daily. Be patient.
For Red EQ:
Review your last 5 submissions. Identify quality issues. Contact support (see next section).
How to Contact Support (The Right Way)
If you are stuck in Red EQ for more than 3 days, you can contact support. But do it strategically.
❌ What NOT to Send
"WHERE ARE MY TASKS??? This platform is terrible! Give me work NOW!"
→ This gets you deprioritized.
✅ What TO Send
Subject: Account Review Request - EQ Since [Date]
---
Hello Outlier Team,
I have been in EQ status for [X days].
My recent submissions scored [X.X/5].
I am eager to resume work and request a
priority account review.
→ This gets you a faster response.
Key: Professionalism works. QMs respond to respect.
Quality Audits & Why They Happen
Outlier does random quality spot-checks. If your last 5 submissions dip below 3.5/5, you trigger a review.
Prevention Strategy
- Always re-read the rubric before submitting.
- If unsure about a rating, submit detailed explanation.
- Never rush. Speed kills quality scores.
- Quality over quantity. One good rating beats three mediocre ones.
When to Diversify
Outlier has project droughts, especially:
July-August
Summer slowdown for AI labs
Dec 25 - Jan 1
Holiday freeze
During these periods, even top performers go EQ. This is not personal. This is when you should have backup platforms running.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I check Discourse? ▼
Daily, but especially during US morning hours (9am-12pm EST). That's when QMs usually post allocations.
What if I fail a quality audit? ▼
You get a 30-day suspension. Use it to study the rubrics carefully. Come back stronger.
Can I get unbanned from Outlier? ▼
After the suspension ends, yes. But only if you reapply and the system reviews you favorably. Don't expect automatic reinstatement.
Is Outlier still worth using? ▼
Yes, but not as your primary platform. Use it as a secondary income source. Have Alignerr or SME Careers as your main, and Outlier as backup.
Don't Rely on Outlier Alone
Outlier's infrastructure is unstable. If EQ is holding your rent hostage, apply to platforms with more consistent work flow.