Data item
Published: 27 May 2026

Platform economy versus platform work: a framework

This infographic maps the criteria used to distinguish platform work from other activities within the broader digital economy. To qualify, an activity must involve an exchange of labour services rather than capital, actively match supply and demand, and be performed for pay at the request of a specific recipient. By applying these specific filters, the framework screens out activities like online selling, asset renting, and self-initiated content creation to precisely identify genuine platform workers.

Info graphic

Platform economy versus platform work: a framework

Matching labour services For pay or profit Requested by recipient Capital platforms eBay Indiegogo Airbnb Selling online products Crowdfunding / money lending Renting out accommodation NO Digital labour platforms TaskRabbit Uber Fiverr Appen On-location in-person services On-location transport services Online professional tasks / macrotasks Online microtasks YES YES YES Platform worker Social platforms BlaBlaCar YouTube Car sharing, house sharing Content creation NO YES ? NO

Source: Authors

Related content

This data item featured in the following outputs.

Research report

28 May 2026

Online platform work in the European Union: Implications for working conditions and access to information
This report analyses the working conditions and information needs of online platform workers based on a survey of 3 830 workers across 15 EU Member States. Unlike existing research focused on on-location platform work, this study examines workers who provide services entirely online. The findings reveal a workforce that is predominantly male, of prime working age and highly educated, primarily delivering skilled professional services rather than microtasks.
Flag of the European UnionThis website is an official website of the European Union.
European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
The tripartite EU agency providing knowledge to assist in the development of better social, employment and work-related policies