Builder Center Labels Explained: What They Mean and How to Earn Them

So you've seen folks, myself included, having labels next to their names, but what do they mean?

I got you! Let me break them down one by one.

This is the top community recognition AWS hands out. Heroes are people who've been sharing AWS knowledge for years through blogs, talks, open source, and user groups. The key thing: you can't apply. AWS nominates you.

How to get one: AWS will find you. Build in public, share what you learn consistently, speak at events, run meetups. Many Heroes started as Community Builders first. There's no application form. If your impact is visible enough, AWS reaches out.

This person works at AWS/Amazon. That's it. The label just helps you tell who's an official AWS voice vs. a community contributor when you're reading content.

How to get one: Get hired at AWS/Amazon.

These are technical folks who actively share AWS knowledge. Think blog posts, videos, open source contributions, conference talks. In return you get AWS credits, access to private Slack groups, early service previews, and webinars with product teams.

How to get one: Applications open once a year (usually early January) and close in about two weeks. AWS looks at your last 12 to 18 months of public contributions. Anyone 18+ who builds on AWS and shares what they learn can apply. If you can link to blog posts, talks, or repos where you taught someone something, you're in good shape

These are student leaders running AWS communities on university campuses (formerly called Cloud Club Captains). They organize events, grow their groups, and get support from AWS. Tons of alumni end up at AWS or partner companies full time.

How to get one: You need to be 18+, enrolled in a post-secondary institution, and have some experience running clubs or hosting tech events. The application is a written submission plus a video. Faculty support is recommended but not required. Pro tip: if an AWS Hero, Community Builder, or User Group Leader referred you, mention their name.

User Group Leaders run local, in-person AWS meetups. These are peer-to-peer communities that meet regularly to share ideas and learn about new services. They're the grassroots backbone of the AWS community.

How to get one: Start or take over an AWS User Group in your area. You need technical AWS knowledge (or co-organizers who do) plus the ability to run regular events: finding venues, getting speakers, managing comms. Reach out to AWS through the User Groups page to get started.

Thanks for reading, and hopefully you'd get to earn one of these someday. Keep building and sharing knowledge with the world, and you'll get there.

Let me know in the comments what new types of profile labels you'd like to see added to Builder Center!