Fiverr Terms of Service: What Every Seller Must Know

1. Fiverr Terms of Service: What Every Seller Must Know

Introduction

Understanding Fiverr’s Terms of Service (ToS) isn’t just about compliance—it’s about protecting your business and ensuring long-term success on the platform. With over 3.5 million active sellers competing for buyer attention, a single terms violation can result in severe consequences, including account suspension or permanent removal.

Yet many sellers operate with dangerous misconceptions about what is and isn’t allowed on Fiverr. According to platform data, a significant number of account restrictions stem from unintentional violations that could have been easily avoided with proper knowledge of the terms.

This comprehensive guide breaks down Fiverr’s Terms of Service into digestible sections, highlighting crucial areas every seller must understand. Whether you’re just starting your Fiverr journey or you’re an established seller looking to ensure compliance, this article will help you navigate the platform’s rules confidently and avoid costly mistakes.

Table of Contents

1. Account Creation and Verification
2. Gig Creation and Content Rules
3. Communication Policies
4. Order Processing and Delivery
5. Payment Terms and Seller Fees
6. Intellectual Property Rights
7. Non-Compete and Exclusivity
8. Prohibited Services and Content
9. Dispute Resolution and Cancellations
10. Rating and Review Policies
11. Account Warnings and Violations
12. Terms Changes and Updates
13. Best Practices for Compliance
14. Protecting Your Seller Account
15. Conclusion and Resources

Account Creation and Verification

The foundation of your Fiverr business starts with proper account setup and verification.

One Account Policy

Fiverr strictly enforces a one-account-per-person policy. This means:

• You cannot create multiple seller accounts
• You cannot create additional accounts if your original account is suspended
• You cannot create accounts on behalf of others
• You cannot sell or transfer your account

Violation consequences: Multiple accounts are typically detected through IP tracking, payment information, or device fingerprinting and result in permanent suspension of all associated accounts.

Identity Verification Requirements

Fiverr requires sellers to verify their identity through:

1. Basic verification: Email confirmation and phone verification
2. Extended verification: Government-issued ID or passport
3. Payment verification: Valid payment method for receiving funds
4. Additional verification: May be requested if suspicious activity is detected

Important note: Fiverr may request reverification at any time. Prompt compliance is required to maintain account access.

Profile Accuracy Requirements

Your Fiverr profile must:

• Contain accurate personal or business information
• Use your real name or registered business name
• Include a profile picture that is actually you (if individual) or your logo (if business)
• Not impersonate other individuals, brands, or businesses
• Not contain misleading credentials or qualifications

Key compliance tip: While building a compelling profile is important, never exaggerate qualifications, experience, or credentials. Fiverr may request verification of any claims made in your profile.

Gig Creation and Content Rules

Your gigs must comply with specific content guidelines to remain active on the platform.

Gig Descriptions and Promises

All gig content must be:

• Accurate: No false claims or promises
• Realistic: Only promise deliverables you can fulfill
• Clear: Transparent about what is and isn’t included
• Original: Not copied from other sellers
• Compliant: Follows all Fiverr terms and policies

Common violation: Promising “unlimited revisions” but then limiting them in practice. Fiverr considers this a breach of contract and can intervene on the buyer’s behalf.

Gig Media Guidelines

Images and videos used in your gigs must be:

• Created by you or properly licensed
• Relevant to the service offered
• Professional and appropriate
• Free of watermarks from other platforms
• Not containing contact information or external links

Media restrictions: Fiverr prohibits stock images as portfolio examples. All portfolio items must be your actual work.

Pricing and Package Rules

Fiverr has specific requirements regarding gig pricing:

• Minimum price: $5 per gig
• Maximum price: $10,000 per gig
• Gig extras: Maximum $1,000 each
• Custom offers: Must follow the same guidelines as regular gigs

Strategic note: While you can price freely within these boundaries, Fiverr’s algorithm may factor pricing into visibility. Extremely low pricing may trigger review if it suggests potential terms violations.

Keyword and Tag Usage

Proper use of keywords and tags requires:

• Relevance to your actual service
• No keyword stuffing or misleading terms
• No competitor names or brands
• No misleading categories or subcategories
• Maximum of 5 tags per gig

Algorithm impact: Improper keyword usage not only violates terms but can negatively impact your search ranking as Fiverr’s algorithm penalizes misleading optimization tactics.

Communication Policies

How you communicate with buyers is strictly regulated to maintain platform integrity.

On-Platform Communication Requirement

Fiverr mandates that all communication with buyers remain on the platform:

• All messages must be sent through Fiverr’s messaging system
• No communication through external platforms (WhatsApp, Telegram, email, etc.)
• No sharing of contact information (phone numbers, email addresses, social media)
• No suggestions to continue conversation elsewhere

Detection methods: Fiverr’s systems automatically scan for contact information patterns (email formats, phone numbers) and flag suspicious communication patterns.

Pre-Order Communication Rules

Before an order is placed:

• You cannot begin work until an official order is created
• You cannot request deposits or partial payments outside the platform
• You can only share limited samples of previous work (not custom work)
• You cannot pressure buyers to order immediately
• You must respond to inquiries within 24 hours when possible

Best practice: Use Fiverr’s Custom Offer feature for any work discussed in initial conversations rather than starting work based on message agreements.

Prohibited Communication Content

The following communication is explicitly prohibited:

• Soliciting payments outside Fiverr
• Sharing personal contact information
• Offering discounts for off-platform transactions
• Sending unsolicited promotional messages to buyers
• Harassment, discrimination, or inappropriate comments
• Threatening negative reviews or retaliatory actions
• Sharing links to external websites (except approved portfolio links)

Immediate risk: Contact information sharing is among the most common reasons for account suspension, as it directly threatens Fiverr’s business model.

Order Processing and Delivery

How you handle orders must follow specific guidelines to maintain good standing.

Order Acceptance and Requirements

When a buyer places an order:

• You must either accept or decline within 24 hours
• Once accepted, the order timeline officially begins
• You must fulfill all promised deliverables as described in your gig
• You cannot change terms or deliverables after order acceptance
• You cannot require additional payment for promised features

Completion rate impact: Repeatedly declining orders may negatively affect your metrics and search visibility.

Delivery Timelines and Extensions

Regarding delivery schedules:

• You must deliver within the stated timeframe
• Late deliveries negatively impact your seller metrics
• Time extensions require buyer approval through the official system
• Unauthorized late deliveries may result in order cancellation
• Consistent late deliveries may trigger account review

Critical metric: On-time delivery rate is a key performance indicator that affects your seller level and search ranking.

Revision Policies

For order revisions:

• You must honor the number of revisions stated in your gig
• Revisions must be completed within a reasonable timeframe
• You cannot charge extra for promised revision rounds
• You can set reasonable boundaries on revision scope in your gig description
• Excessive revision requests beyond stated limits can be addressed through Customer Support

Contractual obligation: Your stated revision policy in your gig is considered a binding part of the order contract.

Order Completion Protocol

When completing orders:

• You must provide all promised deliverables in appropriate formats
• You must use Fiverr’s official delivery system (not external links)
• Large files must use Fiverr’s file transfer system
• You must respond to delivery queries within 24 hours
• You cannot mark orders as complete without buyer approval

Compliance tip: Never ask buyers to mark an order as complete before delivering the actual work, even if you need more time.

Payment Terms and Seller Fees

Understanding Fiverr’s payment structure is essential for financial planning.

Commission Structure

Fiverr’s commission model includes:

• 20% fee on all orders ($1 to $500)
• 10% fee on orders above $500 (applies only to the portion above $500)
• 20% fee on all gig extras, regardless of price
• 20% fee on tips received

Example calculation: For a $600 order, the fee would be $100 (20% of first $500) + $10 (10% of remaining $100) = $110 total fee.

Payment Processing Timeline

Fiverr’s payment clearance schedule:

• 14-day clearing period for new sellers
• 7-day clearing period for Level One sellers
• 7-day clearing period for Level Two sellers
• Immediate clearance for Top Rated sellers (after order completion)
• Additional holds may apply for high-value transactions or suspicious activity

Important note: The clearing period begins after the buyer marks the order as complete, not when you deliver.

Withdrawal Methods and Minimums

Available withdrawal options include:

• Direct deposit/ACH (US only): $1 minimum, no fee
• PayPal: $1 minimum, no Fiverr fee (PayPal may charge)
• Fiverr Revenue Card: $1 minimum, various fees apply
• Bank transfer: $1 minimum, $3 fee
• Wire transfer: $500 minimum, $30 fee

Regional restrictions: Available withdrawal methods vary by country. Some sellers have limited options based on location.

Tax Reporting Requirements

Fiverr’s tax policies include:

• You are responsible for reporting income and paying applicable taxes
• US sellers earning over $600/year receive a 1099-K form
• Non-US sellers may need to provide tax documentation
• VAT/GST may be collected depending on buyer/seller location
• Fiverr complies with tax regulations in various jurisdictions

Compliance requirement: You must provide accurate tax information to Fiverr, including valid tax ID numbers when requested.

Intellectual Property Rights

Understanding IP rights on Fiverr is crucial to avoid legal issues and account violations.

Ownership Transfer Rules

When delivering work:

• Full commercial rights transfer to the buyer upon delivery ONLY if explicitly stated in your gig
• Limited usage rights apply by default unless otherwise specified
• You must clearly state any licensing restrictions in your gig description
• You cannot reuse or resell custom work created for a specific buyer
• You retain rights to rejected work that hasn’t been paid for

Legal clarity: Always explicitly state what rights the buyer receives in your gig description to avoid disputes.

Using Licensed Elements

When incorporating third-party content:

• You must have proper licenses for all elements used in deliverables
• Stock photos, fonts, music, code libraries, and plugins must be properly licensed
• You must disclose any licensed elements to buyers
• You must include licensing information with deliverables
• You cannot use elements with non-commercial licenses for commercial projects

Common violation: Using premium fonts, stock photos, or code without proper licenses or transferring those licenses to buyers.

Portfolio Usage Rights

Regarding showcasing your work:

• You may display work created for buyers in your portfolio UNLESS:
  • The buyer has purchased exclusive rights
  • You’ve signed a confidentiality agreement
  • The work contains sensitive or proprietary information
• You must respect buyer privacy and confidentiality
• You cannot share specific client details without permission

Best practice: Always ask buyer permission before showcasing their projects in your portfolio.

Copyright Infringement

Fiverr strictly prohibits:

• Creating unauthorized copies of copyrighted works
• Offering services that violate others’ intellectual property
• Using trademarked content without permission
• Creating “inspired by” or derivative works without proper rights
• Selling copyrighted materials (e.g., PDF books, courses)

Zero tolerance policy: Copyright infringement typically results in immediate gig removal and often account suspension.

Non-Compete and Exclusivity

Fiverr’s platform protection measures include non-circumvention requirements.

Circumvention Prohibition

Fiverr strictly forbids:

• Taking clients off-platform to avoid fees
• Suggesting lower rates for direct work
• Sharing contact information to continue relationship outside Fiverr
• Accepting payments through external platforms for relationships that originated on Fiverr

Time limitation: Fiverr’s terms specify that you cannot solicit or accept off-platform work from Fiverr clients for 24 months after initial contact through Fiverr.

Client Relationship Boundaries

Regarding client relationships:

• Initial contact with clients must remain on Fiverr
• You cannot direct Fiverr clients to external websites or services
• You cannot use Fiverr to recruit clients for other platforms
• You cannot mention competitor platforms in communications

Exception: If you had a demonstrable relationship with a client before connecting on Fiverr, different rules may apply. Documentation of prior relationship may be required.

Cross-Promotion Limitations

Fiverr restricts promotion of:

• Your services on other platforms in Fiverr communications
• External businesses or websites in gig descriptions
• Social media profiles (except in designated profile fields)
• Other freelancing platforms or services
• Personal websites with direct service offerings

Permitted promotion: You may include your portfolio website in your profile (not in gigs) if it doesn’t offer direct competing services or payment options.

Prohibited Services and Content

Fiverr prohibits numerous service categories to comply with legal requirements and platform policies.

Explicitly Banned Services

Fiverr prohibits services related to:

• Adult content/pornography: Including explicit writing, illustrations, or videos
• Illegal activities: Hacking, fraud, fake documents, academic cheating
• Hate speech/discrimination: Content targeting protected groups
• Gambling/betting: Including sports betting systems
• Weapons/drugs: Including instructional content
• Financial scams: Pyramid schemes, get-rich-quick systems
• Fake reviews/engagement: Fake likes, followers, reviews, or testimonials
• Academic cheating: Essays, test-taking, or homework completion
• Privacy violation: Doxxing, stalking, or harassment services

Evolving categories: Fiverr periodically updates its prohibited services list. Always check the latest terms.

Restricted Services

Some services are allowed with specific limitations:

• Financial advice: Must include proper disclaimers
• Medical/health content: Cannot make treatment claims
• Legal services: Must be provided by qualified professionals
• Dating/relationship services: Cannot guarantee results
• AI-generated content: Must be disclosed as such
• Data scraping: Must comply with source website terms
• Marketing services: Must comply with anti-spam regulations

Verification requirements: Some categories require credential verification or additional documentation.

Political and Religious Content

Fiverr has specific rules for political and religious content:

• No promotion of extremist viewpoints
• No services specifically targeting political campaigns without approval
• No discriminatory content based on religious views
• No content that could incite violence or hatred

Neutral stance requirement: Fiverr maintains a politically and religiously neutral platform and may remove highly controversial content.

Dispute Resolution and Cancellations

How issues are handled is critical to maintaining good seller metrics.

Order Cancellation Policies

Fiverr’s cancellation system includes:

• Mutual cancellation: Both parties agree to cancel without penalty
• Buyer-requested cancellation: Seller can accept or decline
• Seller-requested cancellation: Impacts completion rate metrics
• Fiverr-initiated cancellation: Used in TOS violations or disputes

Metric impact: Your cancellation rate directly affects your seller level. Excessive cancellations may result in demotion or restriction.

Dispute Resolution Process

When order disputes occur:

1. Buyers and sellers should first attempt direct resolution
2. If unsuccessful, either party can contact Customer Support
3. Fiverr reviews the case, including order details and messages
4. Fiverr makes a binding resolution decision
5. Resolution may include partial refunds, full cancellations, or order completion

Evidence importance: Document all work and communication carefully, as this serves as evidence in disputes.

Resolution Outcomes

Possible dispute resolutions include:

• Order completion: Buyer receives deliverables, seller receives payment
• Partial refund: Buyer keeps delivered work but receives partial refund
• Full refund: Order canceled, buyer refunded, seller receives nothing
• Extension: Additional time granted to complete requirements

Response timeframe: Respond promptly to dispute notifications (within 24 hours), as lack of response typically results in decisions favoring the other party.

Late Delivery Policies

For late deliveries:

• Buyers can cancel without penalty after late delivery
• Extensions must be mutually agreed upon through the platform
• Communication about potential delays should happen early
• Late delivery metrics impact your seller level

Prevention strategy: Always set realistic delivery timeframes and communicate proactively if delays occur.

Rating and Review Policies

The review system is a critical component of seller success and has specific rules.

Review System Rules

Fiverr’s review policies specify:

• Buyers and sellers can leave reviews up to 10 days after order completion
• Once published, reviews cannot be removed except in specific violation scenarios
• Reviews must be based on actual order experience
• Reviews cannot contain contact information or external links
• Threatening negative reviews violates Fiverr’s terms

Permanent record: Unlike some platforms, Fiverr does not allow removal of negative reviews simply because issues were resolved later.

Prohibited Review Practices

Fiverr prohibits:

• Review manipulation: Offering incentives for positive reviews
• Fake reviews: Creating reviews through multiple accounts
• Pressure tactics: Coercing buyers to leave specific ratings
• Retaliatory reviews: Leaving negative feedback solely because you received negative feedback
• Quid pro quo reviews: Trading positive reviews with other sellers

Severe consequence: Review manipulation typically results in immediate account restriction or permanent suspension.

Responding to Reviews

When responding to reviews:

• You can publicly respond to any review once
• Responses must be professional and constructive
• Responses cannot contain contact information
• Personal attacks or aggressive responses violate terms
• You cannot offer post-review incentives or refunds to change ratings

Strategic approach: View negative reviews as opportunities to demonstrate professionalism in your response, which future buyers will see.

Review Removal Requests

Reviews can only be removed if they:

• Contain prohibited content (contact info, discrimination, threats)
• Are not based on actual order experience
• Violate Fiverr’s Terms of Service
• Contain false information that can be objectively verified

Process: Submit review removal requests through Customer Support with specific explanation of which policy the review violates.

Account Warnings and Violations

Understanding Fiverr’s warning system helps you address issues before they escalate.

Warning Types

Fiverr issues several types of warnings:

1. Educational warnings: Inform about minor issues without immediate penalty
2. Formal warnings: Official notices that remain on your account record
3. Restriction warnings: Limit certain account functions temporarily
4. Suspension warnings: Final notices before potential account termination

Progressive system: Warnings typically follow a progressive discipline approach, though severe violations may result in immediate suspension.

Common Violation Categories

The most frequent violations include:

• Contact information sharing: Any attempt to take communication off-platform
• Payment circumvention: Suggesting alternative payment methods
• Intellectual property violations: Using copyrighted materials without permission
• Multiple accounts: Creating additional accounts
• Inappropriate communication: Harassment or unprofessional behavior
• False advertising: Misrepresenting services or qualifications
• Order manipulation: Gaming the system to improve metrics

Severity tiers: Fiverr categorizes violations as minor, moderate, or severe, with corresponding consequences.

Appeal Process

If you receive a warning or restriction:

1. Read the violation notice carefully to understand the specific issue
2. Gather relevant evidence that may support your case
3. Submit an appeal through Customer Support with clear explanation
4. Acknowledge any mistakes and explain corrective actions
5. Be patient during the review process (typically 24-72 hours)

Appeal success factors: Demonstrating understanding of the rules, accepting responsibility for mistakes, and showing how you’ll prevent future issues improve appeal outcomes.

Account Recovery

For restricted accounts:

• Address the specific violation immediately
• Complete any required actions (removing content, updating information)
• Maintain compliance with all other terms
• Demonstrate improved behavior over time
• Request review of restrictions after compliance period

Permanent suspensions: Some violations, particularly repeat offenses or severe infractions, may result in non-appealable permanent suspensions.

Terms Changes and Updates

Fiverr regularly updates its Terms of Service, requiring seller attention.

Update Notification Process

Fiverr notifies users of terms changes through:

• Email notifications
• Platform announcements
• Dashboard notifications
• Terms update dates on the official Terms page

Deemed acceptance: Continuing to use Fiverr after terms updates constitutes acceptance of new terms, whether or not you’ve read them.

Major Recent Updates

Important recent changes include:

• Enhanced AI content disclosure requirements (added 2023)
• Updated intellectual property policies (revised 2024)
• Modified dispute resolution procedures (updated 2023)
• New tax reporting requirements (expanded 2024)
• Revised prohibited services categories (ongoing updates)

Note: This section reflects changes as of October 2025. Always check the current terms for the most up-to-date information.

Grandfather Clauses and Exceptions

When terms change:

• Existing orders typically follow terms in effect when the order was placed
• Gig content must be updated to comply with new terms
• Some changes may include adaptation periods
• Account levels and metrics may have transition periods
• No permanent exemptions are typically granted for new rules

Compliance timeframe: When terms change, Fiverr usually provides a reasonable timeframe to bring your account into compliance.

Best Practices for Compliance

Proactive compliance strategies help maintain account health and success.

Regular Account Audits

Conduct periodic reviews of:

• All active gig descriptions and promises
• Portfolio examples and showcased work
• Profile information and credentials
• Communication patterns with buyers
• Service offerings compared to current prohibited lists

Recommended frequency: Quarterly audits help catch compliance issues before they trigger warnings.

Documentation Practices

Maintain records of:

• Original work files and progress versions
• Communication with clients
• License information for all third-party elements
• Delivery confirmation and buyer acceptance
• Dispute resolution correspondence

Organization system: Create a systematic file organization structure for each order to quickly access evidence if needed.

Ongoing Education

Stay informed through:

• Fiverr’s seller newsletter
• Official Fiverr blog updates
• Seller forums (official and community)
• Seller help center documentation
• Fiverr announcement emails

Official sources: Rely on Fiverr’s official channels rather than third-party advice, which may be outdated or incorrect.

Boundary Setting with Buyers

Establish clear boundaries by:

• Educating buyers about platform rules when necessary
• Politely declining requests that violate terms
• Using official features for all transactions
• Documenting inappropriate requests
• Reporting serious violations through proper channels

Communication template: Develop standard responses for common problematic requests to maintain professionalism while enforcing boundaries.

Protecting Your Seller Account

Beyond basic compliance, these strategies help safeguard your account.

Security Best Practices

Protect your account with:

• Strong, unique password
• Two-factor authentication (when available)
• Regular password updates
• Secure, private internet connections
• Regular device security updates

Access limitation: Never share your account access with team members, assistants, or agencies.

Suspicious Activity Monitoring

Watch for potential issues:

• Login attempts from unfamiliar locations
• Communication from buyers suggesting terms violations
• Unusual order patterns or buyer behaviors
• Messages containing suspicious links
• Requests that seem designed to test boundaries

Response strategy: Report suspicious activity to Fiverr immediately rather than engaging with potential scammers.

Violation Reporting Protocol

When you encounter violations:

1. Do not engage in or respond to the violation
2. Document the violation with screenshots
3. Report through appropriate channels
4. Continue professional communication
5. Do not threaten to report as leverage

Mutual violations: If you’ve participated in a violation, reporting it typically won’t exempt you from consequences.

Account Sharing Risks

Understand the risks of account sharing:

• Account sharing of any kind violates terms
• Virtual assistants cannot access your account
• Team members must create their own accounts
• Agency accounts have specific requirements and limitations
• Shared access almost always results in permanent suspension

Legitimate collaboration: Use Fiverr’s official collaboration tools rather than sharing account access.

Conclusion and Resources

Understanding and following Fiverr’s Terms of Service is essential for long-term success on the platform. While rules may sometimes seem restrictive, they create a standardized marketplace that protects both sellers and buyers.

Remember that most serious account issues stem from preventable violations rather than malicious intent. By regularly reviewing the terms, conducting account audits, and staying informed about updates, you can maintain a thriving Fiverr business that remains in good standing.

Key Takeaways

1. All communication and payments must remain on-platform
2. You’re responsible for all content in your gigs and deliverables
3. Intellectual property rights must be respected and properly transferred
4. One person, one account—no exceptions
5. Terms of Service are regularly updated and require ongoing attention

Official Resources

For the most current and authoritative information:

• Fiverr Terms of Service
• Fiverr Seller Help Center
• Fiverr Community Forums

Final Thought

Fiverr’s Terms of Service aren’t just restrictions—they’re the foundation for a marketplace where millions of transactions occur smoothly every month. By understanding and embracing these rules, you protect not only your account but also contribute to the platform’s integrity, which ultimately benefits all participants in the Fiverr ecosystem.

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Disclaimer: This article represents an interpretation of Fiverr’s Terms of Service as of October 2025. For the most current and official terms, always refer to Fiverr’s official Terms of Service document. This article is not legal advice.