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Earning Marketplace Trust Badges

Understand the different trust badges available and how to earn them to build credibility with visitors.

Hayden Zammit Meaney avatar
Written by Hayden Zammit Meaney
Updated today

Earning Marketplace Trust Badges

Trust badges are visual indicators that help visitors quickly identify quality operators in the Marketplace. This guide explains the available badges, what they signify, and how you can earn them to build credibility with potential visitors.

Why Badges Matter

For Visitors

  • Quick quality indicators – Badges signal trustworthy operators

  • Reduced decision anxiety – Verification provides confidence

  • Quality filtering – Visitors can search for badged operators

  • Expectation setting – Badges indicate what to expect

For Your Business

  • Stand out – Badges differentiate you from competitors

  • Build trust – Third-party verification adds credibility

  • Improve visibility – Badged listings often rank higher

  • Increase conversions – Trust leads to more bookings

Available Badges

Verified Business Badge

What it means: Your business details have been confirmed and verified. How to earn it:

  • Complete all required listing fields

  • Verify your business registration (ABN)

  • Confirm your physical address

  • Validate your contact information

Requirements:

  • Valid Australian Business Number

  • Confirmed business address

  • Working phone number

  • Active email address

Responsive Operator Badge

What it means: You consistently respond to enquiries promptly. How to earn it:

  • Respond to all enquiries within 24 hours

  • Maintain a response rate above 90%

  • Keep your average response time under 4 hours

Requirements:

  • Sustained over a 90-day period

  • Minimum of 10 enquiries received

  • No extended gaps in responses

Highly Rated Badge

What it means: You consistently receive excellent reviews from visitors. How to earn it:

  • Maintain an average rating of 4.5 stars or above

  • Receive a minimum of 10 reviews

  • Demonstrate rating consistency over time

Requirements:

  • 4.5+ star average rating

  • At least 10 verified reviews

  • No significant rating declines

Tourism Accredited Badge

What it means: You hold official tourism industry accreditation. How to earn it:

  • Obtain tourism accreditation (such as ATAP or equivalent)

  • Submit your accreditation details

  • Maintain current accreditation status

Requirements:

  • Valid tourism accreditation certificate

  • Current membership in good standing

  • Renewal as required

Eco-Certified Badge

What it means: Your business demonstrates commitment to environmental sustainability. How to earn it:

  • Obtain recognised eco-certification

  • Submit certification documentation

  • Maintain certification currency

Requirements:

  • Valid eco-certification (Ecotourism Australia, Green Globe, etc.)

  • Documented sustainable practices

  • Current certification status

Accessibility Champion Badge

What it means: Your business is committed to accessible tourism. How to earn it:

  • Complete accessibility information on your listing

  • Document accessibility features

  • Demonstrate commitment to inclusive experiences

Requirements:

  • Comprehensive accessibility details provided

  • Physical accessibility features documented

  • Staff training in accessibility (if applicable)

Community Partner Badge

What it means: You actively contribute to the tourism community. How to earn it:

  • Connect with fellow operators

  • Participate in collaborative initiatives

  • Contribute to community resources

Requirements:

  • Active connections with other operators

  • Participation in regional programs

  • Community engagement history

New Operator Badge

What it means: You're a recent addition to the Marketplace. How it works:

  • Automatically applied for your first 90 days

  • Helps visitors discover new operators

  • Transitions to other badges as you earn them

Badge Display

Where Badges Appear

Your badges display:
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  • On your listing in search results

  • On your full profile page

  • In category browsing

  • On your Marketplace dashboard


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Badge Hierarchy

When you have multiple badges, they're displayed in order of significance to help visitors quickly understand your credentials.

Maintaining Your Badges

Regular Requirements

Some badges require ongoing maintenance:

Responsive Operator:

  • Maintain response rate above 90%

  • Keep average response time under 4 hours

  • Check enquiries daily

Highly Rated:

  • Continue providing excellent experiences

  • Encourage satisfied visitors to review

  • Address any concerns professionally

Certification Renewals

For certification-based badges:
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  • Track expiry dates

  • Renew certifications before expiry

  • Update your listing with new credentials

  • Submit renewal documentation


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Status Monitoring

Check your badge status regularly:
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  • Navigate to /marketplace

  • Access your listing management

  • View "Badges" section

  • Check status of each badge

  • Review any requirements needing attention


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Losing a Badge

How Badges Can Be Lost

Badges may be removed if:
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  • Requirements are no longer met

  • Certifications expire

  • Performance drops below thresholds

  • Verification information becomes invalid


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Regaining Lost Badges

If you lose a badge:
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  • Review the requirements

  • Address the deficiency

  • Meet criteria consistently

  • Badge will be reinstated automatically (for performance badges)

  • Submit new documentation (for certification badges)


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Strategies for Earning Badges

Start with Verification

The Verified Business badge is your foundation:
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  • Complete all listing fields

  • Submit required documentation

  • Respond to verification requests


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Focus on Response Quality

Build towards the Responsive Operator badge:
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  • Set up mobile notifications

  • Create response templates

  • Dedicate time for enquiry management

  • Aim for same-day responses


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Build Your Review Profile

Work towards the Highly Rated badge:
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  • Deliver exceptional experiences

  • Encourage reviews from happy visitors

  • Respond to all reviews professionally

  • Address any concerns proactively


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Pursue Certifications

Consider industry certifications:
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  • Research available accreditations

  • Assess requirements and costs

  • Complete application process

  • Display proudly when achieved


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Engage with Community

Earn the Community Partner badge:
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  • Connect with complementary operators

  • Participate in industry events

  • Join regional initiatives

  • Share knowledge and resources


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Badge Goals

For New Operators

First 90 Days:

  • Earn Verified Business badge

  • Work towards Responsive Operator

  • Begin collecting reviews

First Year:

  • Achieve Highly Rated badge

  • Consider certification badges

  • Start community engagement

For Established Operators

Ongoing Goals:

  • Maintain all earned badges

  • Pursue additional certifications

  • Deepen community involvement

  • Aim for all applicable badges

Badges and Search Ranking

Badges positively influence your visibility:
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  • Badged listings may rank higher

  • Visitors can filter for badged operators

  • Multiple badges compound visibility benefits

  • Badge quality signals inform algorithms


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Common Questions

How long does verification take? Typically 1-3 business days for business verification. Can I display badges elsewhere? Yes, we provide badge graphics for your website and marketing. What if my certification lapses temporarily? Update your listing and resubmit when renewed. Are badges permanent? Performance-based badges require ongoing maintenance; certification badges require current credentials.

Trust badges are powerful tools for building credibility in the Marketplace. By earning and maintaining badges, you demonstrate your commitment to quality and help visitors choose with confidence.

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