If a brief you applied to (or were working on) has disappeared from your view, here’s why — and where to look.
The three tabs and what’s in each
Cohley splits your briefs into three tabs:
- Applied — briefs you’ve applied to but haven’t been accepted to yet. You’ll see them here until the brand’s accept-by date. While the window is open, the brief card shows you a status of either Pending (still under consideration) or Rejected (you weren’t selected this time). After the brand’s accept-by date passes, the brief is no longer in this tab.
- Active — briefs you’ve been accepted to and are currently working on. Briefs stay here until you’ve been paid (for paid briefs), even if it’s past the brand’s pay-by date.
- Past — briefs you completed and were paid for (if a payment was expected).
So if a brief seems to have “disappeared,” start by checking the right tab. Most missing briefs are simply in a different one.
The actual reasons a brief leaves your view
1. You weren’t selected for the brief
After a brief’s accept-by date passes, applicants who weren’t picked are removed from the Applied tab. While the window was open, your status would have shown as Rejected on the brief card — that’s the signal that you weren’t moved forward. This isn’t always personal — brands often have many more applicants than spots, and choices come down to creative fit, follower demographics, budget, and other factors specific to that campaign.
A brand asking you a question in chat is not the same as being accepted. You’ll only know you’ve been accepted if:
- You receive an email with the subject “Congrats! You’ve been accepted to [BRAND]’s Brief”, AND
- The brief has moved from your Applied tab to your Active tab with the Accepted status on the brief card
See How will I be notified if a brand accepts my application? for the full set of acceptance signals.
2. You were accepted, then the brief was cancelled
If the brand cancels a brief (budget shifts, campaign timing changes, the project pauses), you’re moved back to Applicants for that brief — your accepted status rolls back, and the brief leaves your Active tab. Cancelled briefs do NOT move to your Past tab — Past is reserved for completed, paid-out work.
3. The brief is fully complete
Once you’ve completed the brief and payment has gone through (where a payment was expected), the brief lives in your Past tab with the status Completed.
What to do next
- Double-check all three tabs — the brief might still be visible somewhere
- Re-apply or apply to other briefs — see How can I make my Application Stand Out?
- Keep your portfolio current and answer brand surveys when you see them. Both make you easier to find and pick for future briefs — see How are my recommended briefs determined?
A quick reminder on response timing
If a brand reaches out in a brief chat, reply within 2 business days. Slow responses are one of the most common reasons brands move on to other creators.
Still stuck?
If a brief has truly disappeared from all three tabs and you believe you were accepted to it, email support@cohley.com with the brand name and brief name. We’ll look into it.