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IBM Redbooks Digital Badges

The IBM Redbooks Residency is an IBM Digital Badge eligible program

At IBM, we feel that it is important to recognize the commitment IBM Redbooks authors have made to increase their knowledge, enhance their skills, impress us with their creativity, or evangelize our solutions.


Starting in 2017, successful completion of an IBM Redbooks residency that publishes either an IBM Redbooks or IBM Redpaper material you authored makes you eligible to earn an IBM Digital Badge. After you complete the requirements to earn a badge, we submit your data and begin badge processing. Note: If you are an author who had an IBM Redbooks or Redpaper material published prior to 2017, refer to the FAQ section for additional information to see if you are eligible for a badge.

Redbooks Badge Silver
Redbooks Badge Silver

Silver is the first plateau in our badge program. To earn an IBM Redbooks Silver Author badge, successfully participate in and complete an IBM Redbooks Residency that publishes either an IBM Redbooks or IBM Redpaper publication. You must be listed as an author for the publication. The residency announcement contains any requirements and skills that are required for the project. Your project leader and residency coordinator can answer any questions that are specific to a project. The badge submission process is automatic with no additional steps that are required by you.

Redbooks Badge Gold
Redbooks Badge Gold

Gold is the second plateau in our badge program. To earn an IBM Redbooks Gold Author badge, you must earn a Silver badge, and successfully participate in and complete an IBM Redbooks Residency that publishes your third IBM Redbooks or IBM Redpaper publication. You must be listed as an author for the publication. The residency announcement contains any requirements and skills that are required for the project. Your project leader and residency coordinator can answer any questions that are specific to a project. Remind your residency coordinator that the residency you are on makes you eligible for the Gold badge. Your prior contributions will be validated using our residency and publication data.

Redbooks Badge Platinum
Redbooks Badge Platinum

Platinum is the third and highest plateau in our badge program. To earn an IBM Redbooks Platinum Author badge, you must earn a Gold badge, and successfully participate in and complete an IBM Redbooks Residency that publishes your sixth IBM Redbooks or IBM Redpaper publication. You must be listed as an author for the publication. The residency announcement contains any requirements and skills that are required for the project. Your project leader and residency coordinator can answer any questions that are specific to a project. Remind your residency coordinator that the residency you are on makes you eligible for the Platinum badge. Your prior contributions will be validated using our residency and publication data.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The IBM Redbooks Digital Badge program is part of the IBM Digital Badge program and leverages the services of Credly. Credly badges are external to IBM, therefore visible to other communities such as LinkedIn. These badges do not expire and are available to IBMers, Business Partners, and our clients. Badges can be displayed on your social media, email signature, company directory, or printed and hung on the wall. How you display your badge is up to you. Once the publication you authored is complete, we will submit the required information (name and email) to Credly automatically to process and you will be able to claim your badge from them once they notify you.


    If you have completed a residency that has already published a material in 2017 or later, expect to receive an email notification shortly. If you enrolled in a project or have been in a residency that has just ended, assist your project leader so that the material meets all the publication requirements. Once published, you will receive a notification that the badge process has started. Residencies that ran before 2017 are eligible if the material was published in 2017.

  • The IBM Redbooks badge program does not award badges for materials created before 2017, but those publications will count toward a badge tier should you attend a new residency that successfully publishes an IBM Redbook or Redpaper. The goal of this program is to encourage new participation in our residency program and to ensure the successful delivery of our IBM Redbooks branded materials.


    Your prior materials will still count toward a badge tier. Upon publication of a material in 2017 and after, you will be awarded the correct badge based on your publication history.

  • The IBM Redbooks Digital Badge Program is an open program. After we gain experience and hear your feedback on the initial offering, we may expand the program to include badges for completion or other activities such as social media, workshops, and other deliverables.

  • We would hope that you want to proudly display the badges you have earned, but we understand there are times where a badge may not meet your companies requirements, cause a conflict of interest, or otherwise not be needed. You have the ability to either not claim a new badge, or manage existing claimed badges through Credly.