What Are Virtual Badges?

Why do people spend hours unlocking achievements in video games? Why do fitness apps hand out badges for hitting step goals? Simple: recognition is addictive.

But this drive to collect, achieve and showcase isn’t limited to gaming. Scroll through LinkedIn and you’ll see professionals displaying course completions. Browse online forums and you’ll notice community members with exclusive status badges.

From online courses to SaaS platforms and branded communities, virtual badges make participation visible and rewarding.

But what exactly are virtual badges, how do they work and how can you use them? In this guide, we cover all things virtual badges and explain how to use Certifier to create high-quality badges for your specific needs.

TL;DR: Virtual badges explained

Virtual badges are digital symbols for recognizing achievements in education, business and communities

They increase engagement by rewarding progress, status and participation

Virtual badges work in gaming, online courses, SaaS platforms and branded communities

Certifier offers a free virtual badge maker with templates and issuing automation features

Businesses, educators and event organizers use them for motivation and credibility

What are virtual badges?

A virtual badge is a digital symbol awarded for participation, achievement or engagement in an online environment. These badges are usually visual markers of progress – whether it’s completing a course, contributing to a community or reaching a milestone in a SaaS platform.

Unlike formal certifications, virtual badges are more about recognition than accreditation. They don’t necessarily verify professional skills or credentials but instead highlight involvement, progress and loyalty.

Think of them as digital trophies that acknowledge contributions in a way that’s visible and shareable.

Why do virtual badges work?

According to research by Simon Cross, Denise Whitelock and Rebecca Galley from the Institute of Educational Technology at The Open University, UK, badge appeal stems from three primary factors: motivation, status and social recognition.

These factors are deeply rooted in psychological and social dynamics:

Motivation

Badges show how far someone has come and keep them excited to keep going. Earning one badge makes people want more, keeping them engaged long after they get their first one. 

Status

People like to show what they’ve achieved. Virtual badges act as proof of skill or experience, making someone stand out in a group. They also help build trust and credibility, which can help in professional settings, online communities or anywhere recognition matters.

Social recognition

Virtual badges fulfill the basic human need for acknowledgement and belonging. When people display their badges, it inspires others to participate — creating a natural referral effect without actual referrals. Someone sees a badge, wants one too and joins in, making the system even more engaging.

Up next, we’ll show you real-life success stories of virtual badges in action and how you can start using them yourself.

Types and examples of virtual badges

Badges have been around for ages — think of scout badges, employee awards or event pins. But in a connected world, these symbols of achievement and recognition have gone virtual, making it easier than ever to motivate, engage and reward people.

Virtual badges for recognition

Some contributions deserve more than a simple thank-you. Recognition badges highlight leadership, impact and dedication, making achievements visible and meaningful. They aren’t tied to skill levels or progress tracking – these virtual badges make a way to celebrate standout individuals.

While they don’t certify expertise or mark a learning milestone, they elevate status and build credibility within a group.

Example: Microsoft MVP Program

For over 30 years, Microsoft has recognized top contributors in the tech community with its Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Program – a clear sign of its success in engaging experts. MVPs receive exclusive benefits, insider access and a virtual badge that validates their impact.

As shown in the image, professionals proudly display their MVP badge, which highlights their expertise and contributions to Microsoft technologies.

Example: G2 Badge Program

Nothing says "this tool actually delivers" like a G2 badge added on a website. G2, the go-to platform for software reviews, hands out recognition badges to top-rated solutions. These badges aren’t just for show – they tell potential customers, “Real users love this product.”

Much like Microsoft’s MVP Program, G2’s badges turn customer trust into social proof. Companies proudly feature them online, proving they’ve got the ratings to back their quality up.

Here’s an example of how yours could look.

Virtual badges for students 

What keeps students motivated to reach big goals — acing a tough subject, mastering a new skill or staying on top of assignments? Progress they can see and a virtual badge is the tangible proof of that achievement.

Example: Duolingo streak badges

Duolingo’s virtual badges for students build on each other. As seen in the images, many badges have tiers (e.g., 5 out of 10), meaning there’s always another level to reach. Completing one challenge unlocks the next, keeping learners focused on progress instead of just marking a single accomplishment.

With badges for daily streaks, XP milestones and lesson accuracy, Duolingo reinforces both consistency and commitment. Learners stay engaged not just to earn a badge... but to see how far they can go!

Virtual merit badges

Free virtual merit badges turn effort into something visible and rewarding, marking milestones in personal growth. They go beyond tracking completion – they motivate users to keep going by breaking big goals into smaller, achievable steps.

Example: Virtual merit badges in scouting and learning

For decades, merit badges have been a symbol of hard work and skill-building, traditionally worn on scout vests as proof of achievements. They recognize everything from survival skills to leadership, guiding young learners toward personal growth. Now, these badges have gone digital, making them more accessible and easier to track.

The Boy Scouts of America have embraced virtual badging, allowing scouts to earn and display online virtual merit badges on their phones, just like they would on a vest. According to Pat Wellen, BSA’s design and development lead, this shift adapts scouting to digital-native members while still reinforcing lifelong skill development.

Tracking milestones and motivating progress is easy with free virtual merit badges. Certifier lets you design structured, visually appealing virtual badges for students that keep learners engaged and striving for the next goal. 

Here’s how yours could look:

Virtual badges for events

What’s the easiest way to show you attended a conference, webinar or online summit? Virtual badges for events serve as digital proof of participation, often including QR codes or interactive elements that help with networking and engagement. 

Virtual badges for events allow attendees to showcase their involvement long after the event ends. Some event badges even unlock exclusive content, perks or connections, making participation feel more valuable. These aren’t tied to mastery – they’re given to everyone who takes part.

Example: Hatch Conference 2024

At Hatch Conference 2024, every attendee received a digital event badge, like the one shown in the image.

Virtual badges for events add extra value to participation, whether for conferences, webinars or online meetups. Using the right virtual badge creator, you can issue virtual badges for events like a webinar or a course that attendees can display proudly. 

Gamification badges

Small wins that lead to bigger ones. A simple badge can make people go the extra mile – literally. Gamification and achievement badges introduce levels, challenges and competition, turning ordinary tasks into must-complete milestones. 

Instead of marking a one-time achievement, they create engagement loops, keeping users hooked with new goals to chase.

And they work.

Studies show that 68% of people feel more motivated when a task is gamified – because let’s face it, a progress bar is way more exciting than a to-do list. Many virtual reward badges tie into leaderboards, so users can see where they stand, compare progress and outdo their past performance (or their friends). 

Example: Strava’s monthly challenge badges

Strava’s virtual badges are part of a continuous challenge system that keeps users engaged month after month. Users can join challenges like the March Run 300K Challenge, where they earn a digital finisher’s badge for completing 300 kilometers in a month.

These challenges reset regularly, creating an ongoing sense of progress. Strava’s virtual reward badges are visual proof of effort, pushing users to stay consistent and compete with other users. With over 230,000 participants in a single challenge, it’s clear that the motivation is far beyond a single achievement.

Virtual badges for recognition and compliance

How do you prove someone has expertise, not just a self-reported skill? Verification and compliance badges provide trustworthy, standardized proof of skills, credentials or regulatory compliance. 

These virtual badges don’t track progress but simply confirm that a person or organization meets a specific standard.

Example: DataCamp verified skill badges

DataCamp introduced verified skill badges as a way for professionals to prove their expertise in data and AI-related fields. 

Instead of relying on self-reported skills, users must pass a 30-question exam to earn a badge in areas like Data Literacy or AI Fundamentals. These virtual badges don’t replace full certifications but serve as credible, shareable proof of specific skills, which can be displayed on LinkedIn or a professional portfolio.

With Certifier, you can issue professional, verifiable badges that users can showcase on platforms like LinkedIn. All thanks to a one-click media sharing option.

Product & brand badges

Product & brand badges don’t mark skill mastery or milestones. Instead, they show loyalty, engagement and long-term connection with a brand, community or product.

Example: Reddit Community Badges

Reddit elevates brand engagement by rewarding its most dedicated users with Community Achievement Badges. Their virtual reward badges show long-term participation and consistent involvement in specific subreddits.

Users unlock virtual badges for reaching milestones like posting regularly, earning upvotes or simply sticking around for years.

Build community loyalty and product adoption with branded badges that make users feel like part of something bigger. Certifier lets you design recognition-worthy badges that strengthen connections and reinforce engagement.

Here’s an example:

How to create a virtual badge: A step-by-step guide

Use a tool for that. Choose a badge maker that suits your needs and budget.

Certifier is a free virtual badge maker that simplifies the virtual badging process. You can create them from scratch or use ready-made, adjustable templates. Thanks to the easy-to-use badge editor, you can create virtual badges for any purpose. 

To make the virtual badge creation process easier, we’ve got a quick tutorial: 

Step 1: Define virtual badge purpose and criteria

Clarity is key. A virtual merit badge for students might celebrate academic progress, while a corporate badge highlights leadership. Set achievement levels so recipients see their progress at a glance.

Trends in virtual badge design:

Circular layouts with sleek fonts suit leadership recognition

Shield-style templates work well for virtual reward badges across skill levels

Bold gradients like orange or blue make badges stand out in corporate branding

Metadata, like issue or expiration date

You can find the virtual badge designs that are in trends in Certifier

Step 2: Use virtual badge maker

A virtual badge app like Certifier makes credential customization simple. Just sign up for Certifier and start creating your virtual badges. You can do it using our templates. They allow quick edits—drop in a logo, adjust colors and choose icons.

Creating virtual badges for students? Use school colors and education-themed visuals. For corporate teams, match branding for a consistent look.

Certifier’s virtual badge creator includes placeholders for recipients’ achievement and ID number. No need for manual work — one design can generate badges for everyone on your list. Great news here – you can use our badge maker online free. 

Step 3: Issue virtual badges automatically

Say goodbye to manual processes. Upload a list of recipients and let automation handle the rest. The placeholders will fill up with the recipient's details.

Optional: You can send your virtual badges via branded email.

Step 4: Track engagement and analytics

Are recipients using their badges? Certifier’s analytics track how many open, download or share their badges. This data helps businesses measure impact and fine-tune their strategy.

A virtual badge creator is a great help when issuing credentials to hundreds of recipients. Whether recognizing students with online virtual merit badges or awarding virtual reward badges to employees, the right tool ensures every achievement gets noticed.

Start virtual badging today

Virtual badges turn small wins into something bigger — they spark motivation, build loyalty and keep people coming back.

And with Certifier, creating them is effortless — so why not start today? Sign up for Certifier and issue virtual badges hassle-free.