u/Exotic_Carry7297 — reddlx

My category is Sales & Marketing → SEO, but my actual niche is only:
Off-Page SEO / Guest Posting / Link Building

Main issue:
Profile Boost puts me in broad SEO, so clients looking for Technical SEO, On-Page SEO, or full SEO click my profile… then leave when they realize I only do Guest Posting.

Result:

Connects wasted
Irrelevant clicks
Low ROI

Real example:
Like someone needing a general doctor but clicking a skin specialist.

I’ve already spent heavily on:

1000+ Connects
500 more Connects
Boosted Profile
Availability Badge
Premium

But broad SEO targeting feels too expensive for a micro niche.

I wish Upwork had:
Sales & Marketing → SEO → Off-Page SEO → Guest Posting

Questions:

Any niche SEO freelancers facing this too?
Is Profile Boost worth it for micro niches?
Better to stop boosting and focus only on direct proposals?

Would appreciate real advice before burning more Connects.

I was a Top Rated freelancer on Upwork with a strong track record.
A client asked me to accept payments via PayPal outside Upwork. I refused to protect platform integrity.
After my refusal, the same client closed all three active contracts simultaneously and left identical 3-star ratings with no prior discussion or complaint about work quality. The same client had given me 5 stars just weeks earlier for identical work.
I reported this to Upwork Trust and Safety with full evidence. Upwork confirmed the client violated their Terms of Service and took action against the client's account.
However, Upwork refused to remove the retaliatory feedback. My Job Success Score dropped from 100 percent to 57 percent and my Top Rated badge was removed as a direct result of a confirmed ToS violator's feedback.
I followed every rule at every step. I refused to go off platform. I kept all payments on Upwork. I was penalized for doing the right thing.
Upwork protects clients even when they are confirmed rule breakers, while honest freelancers bear all the consequences. This experience has seriously damaged my trust in the platform.
Has anyone else faced this situation? I would love to hear from the freelancing community.
Upwork I hope your team sees this and reconsiders.