Why do so many fake profiles have Rising Talent Status?

[renata101]

I've seen a lot of fake profiles in the last few months. I'm trying to understand why so many of them (sometimes it seems like nearly 40%) have Rising Talent status when for many of them, there is no evidence of contracts having been completed and there are zero earnings. According to the criteria that are supposedly used to assign RT status, this shouldn't be possible.  So, why is this happening?

[versailles]

From the help section: 

Program Eligibility

While anyone without a Job Success score is eligible to participate in the Rising Talent program, there is no application process. New freelancers are added to the program once they qualify and meet the criteria below.

* Please note that it may take up to 48 hours to see the Rising Talent badge on your profile after meeting the qualifications.

As Rising Talent, you must

1. Pass the Upwork Readiness Test
2. Complete your projects on time and as promised
3. Maintain a 100% complete profile that accurately showcases your skills
4. Keep your availability status up-to-date
5. Regularly submit proposals to projects that match your skill set
6. Adhere to the Upwork Terms of Service
7. Have been active in the past 90 days or joined in the past 30 days

Read more...

[renata101]

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Rene K wrote:

From the help section: 

Program Eligibility

While anyone without a Job Success score is eligible to participate in the Rising Talent program, there is no application process. New freelancers are added to the program once they qualify and meet the criteria below.

* Please note that it may take up to 48 hours to see the Rising Talent badge on your profile after meeting the qualifications.

As Rising Talent, you must

1. Pass the Upwork Readiness Test
2. Complete your projects on time and as promised
3. Maintain a 100% complete profile that accurately showcases your skills
4. Keep your availability status up-to-date
5. Regularly submit proposals to projects that match your skill set
6. Adhere to the Upwork Terms of Service
7. Have been active in the past 90 days or joined in the past 30 days

Read more...

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According to number 2, you'd think there would have to be at least one project on a profile to qualify for RT status. If there are no earnings, how can they reasonably qualify? 

[petra_r · Accepted solution]

The RT badge seems to be sprinkled rather indiscriminately over new profiles by a blind RT fairy on drugs.

When there are 50 absolutely identical (fake) profiles, and a good percentage have RT status, it can not be anything other than random.

[renata101]

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Petra R wrote:

The RT badge seems to be sprinkled rather indiscriminately over new profiles by a blind RT fairy on drugs.

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Okay, I can work with that. 

[mtngigi]

Perhaps a word other than "talent" should be considered. "New kid on the block, talent not yet proven" would work.

[feed_my_eyes]

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Virginia F wrote:

Perhaps a word other than "talent" should be considered. "New kid on the block, talent not yet proven" would work.

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Or perhaps they should stop randomly assigning the badge to people who don't deserve it, while inexplicably withholding the badge from people who do.