Many people are drawn to Fiverr.com for affordable services, particularly in areas like digital marketing and link building. It’s a marketplace offering tempting solutions for those who want to boost their online presence without breaking the bank.
But the reality is, many buyers don’t understand they’ve been scammed or, at best, provided with worthless services that don’t produce any results—and, in the worst cases, actually harm their websites.
But why is this happening on such a massive platform? Is it just a few bad apples, or is something deeper going on?
Here’s the harsh truth: Fiverr’s feedback system is actually designed to protect scammers. It shields them from accountability, allowing them to continue offering subpar services and leaving more unsuspecting customers vulnerable.
Here’s how it works:
When a customer purchases a service—let’s say, a link-building gig—and the results come back as either useless or damaging, the buyer might not immediately realise they’ve been scammed.
Digital marketing can be complex, and without clear results, many assume they just need to wait longer. Positive feedback gets left prematurely, often by people who haven’t fully assessed the value of the service.
But for those who eventually figure it out—whether it’s a massive drop in their website’s SEO rankings or learning the links provided are from worthless or spammy websites—the damage is done. Naturally, these customers will seek a refund, and in some cases, they’re successful in getting their money back.
However, here’s the kicker: once the refund is issued, the customer’s negative feedback disappears. If a customer explicitly states that the service was a scam, it vanishes.
The platform wipes away the one thing that could alert others to the fraud. The result? The seller maintains their inflated rating and continues scamming others, all with Fiverr’s silent permission.
Why does Fiverr do this?
Fiverr thrives on commission. Every gig sold puts money in Fiverr’s pocket, regardless of whether the service delivered is actually valuable.
By removing negative feedback tied to refunds, Fiverr ensures that sellers can continue bringing in more gigs—and more commissions for the platform. It’s a cycle that perpetuates itself, allowing scammers to operate unchecked as long as they bring in revenue.
The more gigs scammers sell, the more money Fiverr makes. It’s a disturbing realisation that while customers believe Fiverr is on their side, the platform is actually protecting its own interests—often at the buyer’s expense.
In my personal experience, having conducted undercover investigations on Fiverr, I’ve found that over 90% of all digital marketing service gigs are either misleading, outright false advertising, or blatant scams.
It’s shocking how many sellers get away with offering services that don’t deliver, or worse, actively harm the buyer’s business or website.
Fiverr markets itself as an accessible platform for affordable services, but the reality for anyone buying gigs in areas like digital marketing, link building, or SEO is far from rosy.
Many buyers don’t even realize they’ve been scammed because the services they receive are either too complex for them to assess or take time to show their negative impact. What seems like a promising, high-rated gig often turns out to be nothing more than smoke and mirrors.
Fiverr’s model may offer convenience and low-cost services, but its feedback system actively enables scammers to flourish. It’s time for buyers to be extra cautious and for Fiverr to step up and address the rampant exploitation that’s happening under its watch.
If you’re thinking of using Fiverr for digital marketing services, my advice is simple: stay far away because the chances of getting scammed or receiving subpar services are alarmingly high, and the platform itself won’t protect you or be proactive in protecting others.
Unfortunately, Fiverr’s feedback system is rigged to protect these scammers. When a buyer finally realises they’ve been duped. As soon as that refund is processed, Fiverr removes their feedback from the gig entirely.
Over the past five years, I have personally pointed out over 60 cases of fraud, scams, and deceptive gigs on Fiverr. Time after time, I have provided documented technical evidence, highlighting how these scams work to the platform.
Despite this, Fiverr has consistently refused to take action. Their system remains rigged in favor of sellers who use misleading tactics. In my experience, it’s clear that Fiverr is not only aware of the scams but profits from them
In my personal opinion, this actually makes Fiverr worse than the scammers themselves. The platform is supposed to act as a trusted intermediary, ensuring that buyers get what they pay for, yet it turns a blind eye to the fraud happening right under its nose.
The question remains: how many more will fall victim before they actually care? (They wont) The gig economy needs transparency and accountability, not a platform that knowingly protects and promotes scammers in favor of its bottom line.
How Does Platforms Like Fiverr Get Away with Allowing Scams?
Platforms like Fiverr claim to be a space for freelance work and creative projects, but in reality, many users report a darker side.
Here, we dive into how platforms like Fiverr get away with misconduct, seeming to knowingly allow scams and even profit from them.
Q1: Why don’t platforms like Fiverr just ban scammers?
A1: The simple answer is profit. Fiverr takes a hefty commission on every transaction, so as long as money is flowing, the platform benefits – whether the gig is legitimate or not.
By allowing dubious services to stay active, Fiverr collects its cut each time a scam goes through. Banning scammers would directly impact their revenue stream, so as long as these scams are bringing in income, Fiverr seems willing to look the other way.
Q2: Isn’t it illegal for Fiverr to let scams operate on their platform?
A2: It’s a gray area. Many platforms shield themselves under the guise of “marketplaces” rather than employers, which makes them intermediaries rather than accountable parties in legal terms.
As a marketplace, Fiverr can argue it’s not responsible for every transaction or interaction on its site. While this may not seem fair, it’s legally permissible in many regions.
They also have terms and conditions that give them broad leeway to avoid direct accountability, as long as they maintain the appearance of taking action against fraud.
Q3: How does Fiverr’s feedback system contribute to the issue?
A3: Fiverr’s feedback system is notorious for its lack of transparency and susceptibility to manipulation. Fiverr selectively removes negative reviews, especially if a refund has been issued, effectively erasing proof of a bad gig.
This setup protects sellers, particularly the scammers, by keeping profiles looking positive, even if they repeatedly deliver subpar or deceptive services. Meanwhile, buyers have no warning about past issues, and Fiverr can continue to take commissions on scam gigs undeterred.
Q4: Why do scammy gigs keep showing up on Fiverr’s main search results?
A4: Fiverr’s algorithm often prioritizes gigs that perform well in terms of volume and positive feedback, which unfortunately means scam gigs with manipulated reviews can rise to the top
This isn’t accidental – Fiverr’s system is built to push popular gigs forward, and as long as there’s traffic and income, there’s little incentive for them to investigate the content quality thoroughly.
This approach encourages scammers to “game the system” with fake reviews, allowing them to appear legitimate and often reach top-ranking spots.
Q5: What’s being done to stop this behavior, if anything?
A5: Fiverr has implemented certain policies and guidelines to address fraudulent behavior, but critics argue that these are surface-level measures that fail to address the root problem.
They may issue warnings or temporary bans, but scammers frequently return with new accounts. Even if Fiverr permanently bans an account, there’s nothing to prevent a new, similar scam gig from surfacing the next day.
Q6: Can regulatory bodies do anything to intervene?
A6: Technically, yes, but the process is complicated and often lengthy. Regulatory bodies might investigate a platform if enough complaints come in, but these investigations can take years and rarely result in substantial changes.
Platforms like Fiverr often operate across multiple countries, making regulatory oversight even more challenging. Plus, they often cite the volume of transactions as a shield, implying it would be impossible to monitor every single gig.
Q7: What role does consumer awareness play in combating scams on platforms like Fiverr?
A7: Consumer awareness is a key line of defense. Since Fiverr has little incentive to curb these practices, informed consumers who understand the platform’s pitfalls can avoid falling into traps.
Learning to spot fake reviews, check for verified badges, and read profiles carefully can make a significant difference. But ultimately, the onus shouldn’t be solely on the consumer; the platform should prioritize user safety over revenue.
Q8: Could Fiverr change its policies to prevent this kind of misconduct?
A8: Absolutely, but it would require an overhaul of Fiverr’s business model and a commitment to transparency. They could adopt a stricter review verification system, enforce higher accountability for sellers, and prevent the manipulation of the feedback process.
However, these changes could mean reduced revenue and a higher cost of monitoring. As it stands, Fiverr doesn’t appear to have a strong incentive to take these steps.
Why the Australian Government – and Others Worldwide – Should Ban Fiverr
Let’s get blunt: platforms like Fiverr are enabling a toxic, scam-riddled ecosystem. The Australian government, alongside others internationally, has a duty to protect its citizens from exploitation and economic sabotage.
For years, Fiverr has marketed itself as a “democratizing” platform for freelancers, but the truth is far more sinister. With unchecked scams, exploitation, and constant manipulation of buyers, Fiverr has become the digital Wild West – and it’s high time governments take action.
1. Exploiting Local Businesses and Professionals
In Australia, we have a proud history of high-quality local businesses and freelancers who contribute to the economy and workforce.
Fiverr’s model, however, undercuts these professionals by enabling unregulated, often exploitative “gigs” with no accountability.
Local Australian freelancers, web developers, and designers are losing work to questionable Fiverr “gigs” that often deliver subpar services and disappear the moment problems arise.
In turn this erodes the standard of professional service within the country and makes it nearly impossible for legitimate, law-abiding businesses to compete.
2. Breeding Grounds for Scammers and Fraudsters
Fiverr has become a haven for scam artists, whether they’re faking skills, selling phony services, or manipulating feedback and ratings to appear legitimate.
The platform hides behind the “marketplace” model, shrugging off responsibility, even as it knowingly profits from fraudulent activities.
Fiverr is an economic predator feeding off the unsuspecting consumer, and when scam after scam runs unchecked, one has to wonder – why aren’t more governments stepping in?
3. Profiting from Consumer Exploitation with Full Knowledge
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Fiverr’s business model is designed to maximize profit at the expense of its users. By taking a commission from every transaction, Fiverr profits directly from every scam, regardless of quality or legitimacy. Feedback and review manipulation?
Fiverr has that covered, too. Negative reviews are removed when refunds are issued, wiping out any record of fraudulent gigs.
So long as the money keeps flowing, Fiverr appears content to let scammers reign. Platforms should be held accountable, and it’s well past time for governments to say “enough is enough.”
4. Allowing Fake Ratings and Feedback – An Assault on Consumer Trust
Consumer trust is the cornerstone of a healthy economy, and Fiverr’s manipulation of feedback systems is an assault on that very trust. Many Fiverr “top-rated” gigs are nothing more than clever marketing hacks hiding shoddy work.
Positive ratings are inflated or bought outright, while negative reviews vanish when customers push for refunds. By allowing this sham of a feedback system to exist, Fiverr erodes consumer trust globally. Isn’t it the responsibility of governments to protect consumers from such malicious practices?
5. Legal Loopholes Aren’t an Excuse for Harmful Platforms
Fiverr hides behind its marketplace model and an endless list of terms and conditions that excuse it from liability. But just because a company can get away with something doesn’t mean it should.
The government has stepped in to regulate other markets – from gig economy platforms to financial services – when consumer interests are clearly at risk.
Why should Fiverr be any different? Allowing them to exploit legal loopholes is just giving them the green light to continue exploiting people.
6. Fiverr Erodes Quality Standards Across Industries
Fiverr’s “gig economy” model, in many cases, doesn’t just undercut local freelancers – it dilutes industry standards. For many buyers, Fiverr’s allure of cheap services overrides concerns about quality, but when those cheap services lead to bad results, it affects more than just the buyer.
People are losing faith in entire industries, assuming every freelancer or digital service provider is a scam artist or will deliver substandard work. This hurts not only professionals but also consumers who are left skeptical and disappointed.
7. A Clear Path Forward: Ban the Platform Until Major Reforms Are Made
Australia and other nations have an opportunity to set an example. If platforms like Fiverr are unwilling to clean up their act, governments should ban them outright until significant reforms are implemented.
Implement robust verification for sellers, demand accountability in feedback manipulation, and ensure a zero-tolerance policy toward scams. Fiverr needs to be a platform of transparency, but as it stands, it’s anything but.
A Call for Accountability
For too long, Fiverr has hidden behind its “marketplace” defense while profiting off scams and enabling a culture of unprofessionalism.
Enough is enough. Australian consumers and small businesses deserve better, and it’s the government’s job to ensure that platforms profiting from local users are held to account.
Fiverr must either reform or be banned outright – it’s high time governments prioritize consumer protection over corporate interests.
Fiverr.com ad on Australian TV was like a gut punch
I remember the moment, clear as day: there I was, watching prime-time Australian television, and a Fiverr ad flashed on the screen. It was a marketing campaign, polished and professional, pitching their digital marketing services to businesses across the country.
But instead of admiration, all I felt was disgust. Here was a platform flooded with unverified, low-level, unqualified freelancers claiming expertise in everything from SEO to ad management – services that often ended in disappointment or outright scams.
Seeing that ad on Australian TV was like a gut punch. How could our media industry, an institution we trust, allow such a company to advertise to an audience that might not realise the risks involved?
Fiverr boasts thousands of digital marketing gigs, but we know the truth: many of these “services” are led by untrained, uneducated individuals, exploiting anyone who doesn’t know better.
It felt like a betrayal, a shocking moment where I could see just how willing our media industry was to accept a paycheck over protecting Australian businesses from digital fraud.
When Fiverr, launched its first-ever national TV and BVOD campaign in Australia, it was an extension of its global ‘It Starts Here’ campaign. The ads appeared on national BVOD platforms including 7plus, 9Now, 10Play, SBS On Demand and Foxtel Go.
The freelance services platform also ramped up its digital marketing efforts, investing in Google360 ads across websites, apps, and mobile platforms, as well as pay-per-click campaigns on Facebook and YouTube.
To further drive its brand rollout, it also added a third Australian agency, Bohemia from the M&C Saatchi Group, joining The PR Group and By All Means in its roster.
In the campaign, Fiverr.com promoted ads that claim to spotlight “skilled freelancers” who can help small businesses make the leap online.
Featuring voiceover work by Australian Fiverr freelancer ‘voiceoveroliver,’ the campaign aimed to inspire optimism and trust in its network of gig workers during challenging times.
Yet, for those familiar with Fiverr’s inner workings, this marketing push might feel more like a hollow promise.
I personally argue that the platform has become a breeding ground for unskilled fraudsters who somehow slip through Fiverr’s so-called “skills verification,” likely by attaining answers or hiring someone else from Fiverr to pass the test on their behalf.
The reason I call out Fiverr’s “freelance fraudsters” slipping through their so-called skills verification is because my own investigation into the platform told a different story.
Of 40 freelancers advertising themselves as digital marketing or SEO experts, an astonishing 98% couldn’t answer the simplest, most basic technical questions when asked.
My personal finding suggests that these freelancers are either lacking in genuine skill or have somehow bypassed Fiverr’s verification process entirely, leaving clients and customers vulnerable to misleading claims, low-quality and damaging services.
Unskilled Fiverr Freelance Scammer Example
Just one glaring example of the thousands of Fiverr’s scams comes from a gig promising to “increase domain rating to 70+ in 30 days” using “high authority white hat SEO backlinks.”
This sounds enticing but is, in reality, a common deception. Instead of providing real value, this gig (and thousands of similar ones) delivers only spammy, irrelevant hyperlinks, fake redirects and other non viable methods that do nothing to improve a website’s true organic authority.
Ahrefs’ Domain Rating (DR) and MOZ Domain authority (DA) is simply a vanity metric, and these scam gigs rely on artificially boosting it with low-quality links that search engines barely recognise, let alone count toward ranking.
Customers are misled by these gigs and there’s no real boost in organic rankings, site engagement, or traffic.
Worse yet, positive feedback on these gigs often comes from clients unaware they’ve been duped—many think they’re seeing real SEO gains when all they’ve paid for is inflated third-party metrics. Not to mention a bunch of fake reviews.
This so-called “SEO expert” even claims to have “ranked over 1,000 websites,” boasting about an “experienced team” that, in reality, doesn’t exist. Additionally, there’s no team—just one individual cashing in on uninformed buyers with deceptive metrics and empty promises.
For those less familiar with the ins and outs of SEO, this fraud can be hard to spot, leaving genuine business owners spending good money on worthless tactics that could harm their site’s reputation long-term.
The Moz Domain Authority (DA) link building scam is a trick that uses a weakness in Moz’s DA calculations to inflate a website’s DA score.
The scam involves:
- Creating a page when a Google property redirects a user to an outside URL
- Building hundreds of fake links to these static pages
- Building low quality and spammy links to these static pages
- The SEO tool Moz incorrectly attributes the fake links as being highly valuable
In Summary:
Platforms like Fiverr thrive by positioning themselves as “neutral marketplaces,” effectively removing their own responsibility while profiting from scams. Despite ample evidence of misconduct, they continue to prioritise revenue over user protection.
Until meaningful changes are implemented – whether by the platform itself or by regulatory authorities – Fiverr and similar platforms will continue to enable, and perhaps even encourage, a landscape where scams and low-quality gigs can flourish unchecked.
By actively removing negative feedback when a refund is processed, Fiverr essentially enables scammers to continue operating. In my personal opinion, the platform is a form of legal scam designed to allow maximum profit margins while side stepping Authenticity.
