Rising Talent and Top Rated: what the badges need
Upwork's talent badges help clients trust you faster. What each one asks for, why identity verification matters, and the habits that get you there.
Badges on Upwork are a shortcut for clients: a quick sign that you are active, verified and doing good work. They are earned automatically when you meet the criteria, and they can be lost if you stop meeting them. Here is what Upwork's help article on freelancer talent badges describes.
Rising Talent
Rising Talent is for promising newer freelancers. The criteria include:
- A 100% complete profile, and activity in the past 90 days.
- Identity verification, a valid withdrawal method and no holds on the account.
- No negative feedback.
- Either an invitation from Upwork, or an average rating of at least 4.8 with a minimum amount earned over the past year.
Top Rated
Top Rated is for freelancers with a steady record of great work. Upwork looks for:
- A Job Success Score of at least 90% for most of the recent weeks it checks. See understanding your Job Success Score.
- A first project that is more than 90 days old, and work with more than one client.
- A strong earnings history, recent activity, a complete profile and up-to-date availability.
- Identity verification.
Above Top Rated sit Top Rated Plus, for freelancers with larger and longer contracts, and Expert-Vetted, which involves a review by Upwork.
Habits that get you there
- Verify your identity early. Every badge needs it, and it takes time.
- Finish your profile properly. See the parts of your profile clients read first.
- Win smaller jobs well at first. A handful of happy clients matters more than one big contract. See landing your first client.
- Protect your Job Success Score. Say no to jobs that look likely to go wrong. See knowing when to say no.
- Stay active. Badges look at recent activity, so steady work beats long gaps.
Further watching
These videos walk through the badges. We have not reviewed their advice, and older videos may describe earlier rules: