Welcome to the first of The SEO Bugs blog posts, this is on my findings on the freelancer site Fiverr. More and more of us are becoming aware of the freelancer platform Fiverr, it stands out as the ideal place to go for entrepreneurs seeking services and freelancers looking to showcase their skills. With its user-friendly interface and diverse array of offerings, Fiverr has revolutionised the way individuals connect and collaborate on projects.... However, amongst the convenience and opportunity, there lurks a darker side—one riddled with scams, fraudulent practices and the nefarious utilisation of AI-generated content.

Whilst starting a new business venture money is tight and work can be hard to come by, so Fiverr seems like the perfect place for both client and freelancer. The free lancer is usually from a lower gap country and complete the work for a fraction of the price someone in the clients own country would be able to do it for. Win win scenario right? Well my experience says other wise.

As an SEO specialist I decided to have a look around and see what was to offer, I started off ordering some backlinks for one of my test sites.

Now a good quality backlink can range anywhere from £100 - £500 and above so the fact there are 50 for sale all on sites with w topping DA of 90+ is an absolute steal! The order was completed on time, so far so good, I eagerly received my list of back links wondering what fantastic DA90+ site I will be featuring in. Well the polite way to put this is to say the Backlinks from Fiverr were slightly anti climatic. Technically they where on high DA websites but these sites where dead in the water, only ranking through underhanded SEO techniques meaning they would bring 0 traffic to your site. With Googles latest update to its ranking features they have stated that they are going after this type of content, that in mind if you are using your site to generate income it would be wise to play it safe.

My next bargain purchase was a marketing script, the add promised to engage with people who are ideal clients looking for SEO services on LinkedIn. This guy also from Pakistan offered the service at a more realistic price so I let me guard down with this guy, I was upsold the fact he would need to re design my LinkedIn profile for the service to work properly, id payed for this and to be fair it wasn't to bad. After checking on the progress it turned out the script was really poor produce on AI and the contact was also churned out using a chat bot. This was embarrassing as my first impression of my business people seen was this obvious AI trash being spammed across everyone and anyone.

One of the most prevalent issues facing Fiverr users is the proliferation of scammers peddling AI-generated content as their own work. These individuals often purvey the content as their own, offering enticing services at bargain prices. However, upon closer inspection, clients may discover that the content they receive is generic, plagiarised, or outright nonsensical—all courtesy of AI algorithms churning out text with little regard for quality or coherence.

Another common tactic employed by unscrupulous sellers is the manipulation of reviews. On Fiverr, reviews serve as a crucial indicator of a freelancer's reputation and reliability. However, these reviews can be easily manipulated through various means, including the use of fake accounts, incentivised reviews, or even coercion. As a result, this is there to let your guard down when placing an order, a Quick Look on Semrush shows the key word Fiverr likes and has the intent marked down as Transactional.

So, how can you protect yourself from falling victim to scams and fraudulent practices on Fiverr? Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Do Your Due Diligence: Before engaging the services of a freelancer, take the time to research their background, portfolio, and reviews. Look for red flags such as suspiciously high ratings, vague or inconsistent descriptions, or an absence of genuine client feedback.

2. Beware of Unrealistic Promises: If a freelancer promises the moon at a fraction of the cost, proceed with caution. While competitive pricing is not inherently suspicious, excessively low rates may indicate that the seller is cutting corners or resorting to unethical practices.

3. Communicate Clearly: Establish clear communication channels with your chosen freelancer from the outset. Clearly outline your expectations, deadlines, and deliverables to ensure that both parties are on the same page. Regular communication can also help mitigate misunderstandings and prevent potential disputes.

4. Use Escrow Services: Take advantage of Fiverr's built-in escrow system, which holds funds in trust until the project is completed to your satisfaction. This provides an added layer of protection against unscrupulous sellers who may attempt to deliver subpar work or disappear altogether.

5. Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off or too good to be true, trust your instincts and proceed with caution. While Fiverr offers a wealth of opportunities for collaboration and creativity, it also requires a healthy dose of skepticism and discernment to navigate safely.

In conclusion, while Fiverr can be a valuable resource for both clients and freelancers alike, it is not without its pitfalls. The rise of AI-generated content and fraudulent practices underscores the importance of vigilance and critical thinking when using the platform. By staying informed, exercising caution, and trusting your instincts, you can navigate the waters of Fiverr with confidence and safeguard yourself against potential Fiverr scams.

My favourite of them all has to be the 500,000 backlinks with competitor analysis delivered with in 5 days for the bargain price of £4.24. Im certain there are good honest people on the platform but as mentioned keep your guard up and ask as many questions as you need to.

Fiverr Scams