How Does Thumbtack's Rating Actually Work?
Why a Thumbtack star rating isn’t one simple number
Thumbtack describes a pro’s star rating as the average of the reviews and ratings on the profile — but that average is a blend, not a single feed. It pulls in verified reviews from jobs booked through Thumbtack, Google reviews a pro has imported, ratings imported from other review sites, and up to the 10 most recent unverified reviews from customers a pro met outside Thumbtack.
Why a Thumbtack star rating isn’t one simple number
That blend matters for two practical reasons. First, "Hired on Thumbtack" reviews are unverified-uncapped — a pro can collect an unlimited number of them, and every one counts. Second, off-platform reviews are capped: only the 10 most recent unverified reviews from outside customers show and factor in, so an older off-platform review can quietly drop out of the calculation as newer ones come in.
Because the exact mix behind any given profile — how many verified Thumbtack reviews, how many imports, which 10 outside reviews are currently in the window — isn’t fully visible to the pro, a rating can move without an obvious single cause. Consistent, compliant review requests tied to real completed jobs are what keep that average stable.
What actually feeds a Thumbtack star rating
- Verified "Hired on Thumbtack" reviews — unlimited, from customers who booked the job through the platform.
- Imported Google reviews and imported ratings from other review sites a pro has connected.
- Up to the 10 most recent unverified reviews from customers met outside Thumbtack.
- Content and Review Policy compliance — reviews Thumbtack removes for violating its policy (fake, incentivized, off-topic, wrong interaction) don’t count toward the average.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Thumbtack review packages start at $110 for up to 5 reviews, scaling to $690 for 50, with monthly billing at 15% off. Pick a package on this page, or try a free example first.
A steady stream of genuine "Hired on Thumbtack" reviews from completed jobs, since those are uncapped and always count, plus keeping fresh off-platform reviews coming in — since only the 10 most recent outside reviews factor into the average. Professional responses and addressing any policy-violating reviews round out a healthy profile.