Amid signs of strains in the traditional job markets, Americans are flocking to gig platforms in increasing numbers, and one site in particular is giving others a run for their money: TaskRabbit. The app, which connects people with local help for odd jobs and errands, has seen a significant surge in new applications from would-be Taskers. For some economists and investors, this is more than just a workplace phenomenon it’s one of the first odd symptoms of an economy nearing its peak.
What’s Happening with TaskRabbit?
TaskRabbit has seen a surge in people applying to become Taskers, particularly in major metro areas such as L.A., New York and Chicago. This charge has occurred while economic fears have been percolating under the surface: Job growth is slowing, inflation remains sticky and interest rates are still relatively high by historical standards.
The service has long been a go-to for folks looking to earn extra cash on the side — and sometimes full-time. But when thousands of people suddenly storm a platform that offers on-call jobs, it can reflect deeper issues in the larger job market.
Gigging as a Life Raft in Uncertain Times
The lure of gig platforms such as TaskRabbit is clear. They provide flexibility, low barriers to entry and quick income. Whether that means you’re helping someone move, putting together furniture or doing general repairs, the labor is simple and there’s a demand for it.
But what used to be an easy side hustle is increasingly becoming the main source of income for many. Many new TaskRabbit applicants are not mere students or side hustlers, but professionals experiencing layoffs, reduced hours or stagnant wages.
This change in motivation is revealing. When well-educated, experienced workers flood the gig market, this is usually a sign that conventional labor markets are not up to snuff.
An Historical Pattern of Economic Stress
Looking at the historical record, surges in gig work have often come during or in advance of recessions. During the 2008 financial crisis, and now amid the Covid-19 pandemic, platforms like Uber, DoorDash and TaskRabbit have seen a huge spike in workers signing up to work.
Now, with the cover of headlines about a “soft landing” or “mild slowdown,” this wave of TaskRabbit sign-ups might show that Americans are preparing for rocky economic weather whether age-old official data has caught up or not.
What This Tells Us About the Labor Market
TaskRabbit’s rise, like that of its other gig-economy brethren that match people with jobs and workers who perform them, is a prime example of individual grit and creativity at work — but it also reflects a changing labor market that has grown more fragmented and insecure. Full-time jobs with benefits are increasingly being jettisoned in favor of project-based work that places more financial risk on workers themselves.
Some economists say it could muddy the job numbers. Gig workers often do not show up in traditional employment figures, so labor market data may look stronger than it really is. Accordingly, gig economy spikes are a leading soft indicator sign of the real distress in our economy before it is reflected in official reports.
Is This the New Normal?
With inflation proving persistent and interest rates raised, the affordability crisis is putting the squeeze on American households. In this environment, gig work is no longer simply a choice; it has become a means of survival.
Whether or not the economy slips into a full recession, platforms like TaskRabbit may continue to siphon displaced workers for some time to come — a pressure valve of sorts for broader labor market fluctuations.
But sustained dependence on gig work raises questions about financial stability, job quality and the social safety net. The increasing number of Taskers is evidence that behind economic reports there is a more nuanced and human story, one in which people are doing what they can to make ends meet.
Sure, for all the work-hour data that will track whether Americans are actually loafing on “Fortnite” during work hours — as such data is released in the years ahead — we can say this much: The spike in TaskRabbit applications may seem like a mere change in workplace behavior, but it might be telling us something much bigger: We’re bracing ourselves. Whether it’s a temporary fix or indicative of a deeper trend, the clear is that the gig economy is going increasingly mainstream as people adapt to financial uncertainty in 2025.
