Italki rules and policies explained in plain English

By FastBuySale Newsroom · 9 Nov 2026 · 4m ago

Why italki rules matter

Italki connects students with teachers for one-to-one language lessons. Teachers enjoy flexibility, setting their own schedules and prices, but they work under platform rules that cover profiles, bookings, payments and behaviour. Knowing these rules helps you avoid lost income, unhappy students and account problems. This guide explains the main policies in plain English. Rules can change and may differ by region, so always check the italki Help Center for current details.

Teacher types and application requirements

Italki has generally offered two teacher types. Professional teachers usually provide evidence of teaching qualifications, such as language teaching certificates, degrees or relevant experience, and can offer structured lessons, exam preparation and specialist courses. Community tutors are typically native or highly proficient speakers who offer conversation practice and informal help. Applications include a profile, an introduction video and identity verification. Italki may reject applications, especially in languages with many teachers, so a strong profile and video matter.

Profile rules

Use a real photo, accurate details about your experience and qualifications and an introduction video that shows how you teach. Do not include personal contact details, external links or social media handles in your profile or video, as that breaks platform rules.

Commission on lessons

Italki takes a commission from each lesson payment. Teachers receive the remaining amount in their italki balance after lessons are completed. Because commission reduces your income, set prices with your net earnings in mind and check whether the rate has changed.

Trial lessons and packages

Teachers can offer shorter, discounted trial lessons to new students and sell lesson packages, such as five lessons at a reduced rate. Trials help students choose but earn less per minute, so set a trial price you are comfortable with. Packages encourage regular students.

Worked example: net earnings

This is an illustrative example. Carla charges 22 dollars for a one hour lesson. If italki's commission is 15%, she keeps 18.70 dollars. Teaching 50 lessons a month earns her 935 dollars before withdrawal fees and taxes. A five lesson package at 100 dollars nets 85 dollars, or 17 dollars per lesson. The percentage calculator on this site helps check these figures.

Booking rules

Students book lessons in the times you make available. Keep your calendar accurate and set a minimum notice period so you have time to prepare. Accept or decline lesson requests promptly, because slow responses can lead to automatic cancellations and frustrated students.

Cancellation and rescheduling rules

Students can usually cancel or reschedule without penalty if they do so far enough before the lesson, within a window set by italki's policy. Late cancellations or no-shows may still result in payment to the teacher, depending on the rules. Teachers are also expected to avoid cancelling, and frequent teacher cancellations can harm your profile, ratings and visibility. If you must cancel, do it as early as possible and offer an alternative time. Use the time zone converter on this site to avoid scheduling errors with students abroad.

Lesson completion and disputes

After a lesson, it needs to be confirmed as completed before earnings are released, either by the student or automatically after a set period. If a student reports a problem, such as a late start, technical issues or a lesson that did not happen, a dispute process lets both sides explain, and italki support may decide the outcome. Keep lesson notes, start on time and use reliable equipment to reduce disputes.

Keeping students on the platform

Italki's rules generally prohibit teachers from encouraging students to book or pay outside the platform, sharing contact details for that purpose or accepting outside payments from students met on italki. Breaking this rule can lead to account suspension. The platform's tools for messaging, lesson planning and video calls are there so that both sides have protection and a clear record.

Withdrawals

Teachers can withdraw their balance to supported payment methods, which vary by country and may include payment accounts and bank transfers, each with possible fees and minimums. Compare options and avoid frequent small withdrawals if fees are fixed per transfer. Keep records for taxes, since teaching income is usually self-employment income.

Reviews and conduct

Students can leave reviews and ratings after lessons, which strongly influence how often your profile appears in search. Offering incentives for positive reviews or posting fake reviews breaks the rules. Professional conduct is expected: punctuality, respectful communication, appropriate dress and environment and no discrimination or harassment.

Pricing rules and changing prices

Teachers can usually set and change their own prices for trial lessons, regular lessons and packages, within any limits the platform sets. When you raise prices, existing package purchases normally keep the price students paid, while new bookings use the new rate. Many teachers start with moderate prices to attract first students, then increase them gradually as reviews and demand grow. Before changing prices, consider how your regular students will react, and give them notice through platform messages. Check whether price changes affect how your profile appears in search filters, since many students filter by price range.

Equipment and environment expectations

Lessons take place online, so italki expects teachers to have a stable internet connection, a working camera and microphone and a quiet, appropriate space. Test your setup before each day of lessons. If technical problems repeatedly cut lessons short, students may file disputes or leave poor reviews. Keep a backup plan, such as a mobile hotspot, and tell students promptly through the platform if a problem occurs, offering to reschedule fairly.

Teaching children and safeguarding

If you teach younger learners, follow any platform rules for minors, communicate with parents or guardians as required and keep all interactions professional and on the platform.

Using italki tools for lesson planning

The platform offers features for scheduling, messaging, sharing materials and, in many cases, holding the video lesson itself. Using these tools keeps everything in one place, gives you a record if a dispute arises and shows students that you follow the rules. Upload worksheets and vocabulary lists through the platform rather than sending them elsewhere. Note each student's goals and progress so you can prepare quickly before every lesson, even when your schedule is busy, and keep a short checklist for the first lesson with each new student so you cover goals, level and preferred teaching style.

Common mistakes new teachers make

New teachers often price too low, forget about commission, overfill their calendar, cancel too often, ignore lesson requests or include contact details in profiles. Others neglect their introduction video. Avoid these mistakes to build a steady student base.

Writing a strong introduction video

Your introduction video is often the deciding factor for students. Keep it short, around one to two minutes, with good lighting, clear audio and a friendly tone. Speak partly in the language you teach and partly in a common language for beginners, explain who you help, such as busy professionals or exam candidates, and describe how your lessons work. Show your teaching personality with a short example or a warm greeting. Avoid reading from a script, and never include contact details or external links. A natural, confident video helps students feel comfortable booking a first lesson with you.

Building a steady student base

Students who stay for months are the foundation of a stable income on italki. Agree goals in the first lesson, track progress, give homework where appropriate and adapt lessons to each student's interests. Send short summaries after lessons through the platform, including new vocabulary and corrections. Students who see clear progress are more likely to buy packages and recommend you to friends.

Following policy updates

Italki updates its terms and help pages from time to time. Read update emails carefully and review the teacher pages every few months, especially sections about commission, cancellations and withdrawals.

Reader questions

Questions about online teaching? Send them through the Ask page on this site.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only. Policies and commission rates change; check the italki Help Center.

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