How to Earn Upwork Badges

Badges are a common practice in various industries to recognise achievements or qualifications. Upwork adapted this concept to create a system that differentiates top talent, builds trust, rewards excellence, and enhances the user experience. Upwork badges are earned recognitions highlighting the skills and experience of freelancers on the platform. They appear on freelancers' profiles and may also appear in search results.

Upwork badges benefit both clients and freelancers. For freelancers, they provide recognition for hard work and attract more clients. For clients, they help quickly identify top talent, make informed hiring decisions, and increase confidence in their choices.

Here’s a breakdown of the main badges and how to earn them:

Rising Talent

This badge is awarded to new freelancers who show promise based on their work on Upwork and their professional experience so far. Here are the requirements to earn this badge:

1. Positive performance: Actively submit proposals to jobs, complete projects on time as promised, and ensure client satisfaction.
2. Complete profile: Ensure your profile is 100% complete and accurately reflects your skills and experience.
3. Maintain availability: Keep your availability status updated.
4. Adhere to Upwork Terms of Service: Follow platform rules and guidelines.

Top Rated

The Top Rated badge highlights freelancers with high-quality work and client satisfaction. Freelancers with this badge are in the top 10% of all Upwork users. Here are the requirements to earn it:

1. Job Success Score of 90% or higher: Consistently deliver excellent work.
2. First project over 90 days ago: Have a track record of at least 90 days on Upwork.
3. Maintain Rising Talent status for 13 out of 16 weeks: Consistent performance.
4. Complete profile: Ensure your profile is 100% complete, accurate, and up-to-date.
5. Earn at least $1,000 USD in the past 12 months: Demonstrate consistent work volume.
6. Maintain availability: Keep your availability status updated.

Top Rated Plus

This is an upgraded Top Rated badge indicating higher earnings and greater client satisfaction. Here are the requirements to earn the Top Rated Plus badge:

1. Meet Top Rated criteria: Achieve and maintain Top Rated status.
2. 12-month earnings of +$10,000: Show significant earnings on Upwork.
3. Successful completion of larger contracts: Prove your ability to handle larger projects for at least 12 months.

Expert-Vetted

Freelancers who have been vetted by Upwork and have access to premium job postings are awarded this badge. It consists of the top 1% of Upwork users. Here are the requirements to earn the Expert-Vetted badge:

1. Rigorous screening process: Pass a detailed evaluation of your skills and experience.
2. Verification of expertise: Provide proof of qualifications and certifications.
3. Invitation: You'll be invited by Upwork based on your qualifications.

See this thread of Geegpay users showcasing their Upwork badges. Earning and maintaining badges requires consistent effort and dedication to client satisfaction. Focus on building strong client relationships and delivering high-quality work.

Remember to also have a great portfolio, send well-written proposals, and gather reviews from satisfied customers. All of these combined with the badges are major indicators that you’d make a solid hire and that make you more attractive to high-paying clients..