Bluesky is rolling out a new verification system similar to the one popularized by Twitter before it was added to X’s Premium. The new verification comes with a blue checkmark to “authentic and notable accounts,” the social platform announced on Monday.
The decentralized network launched its first layer of verification in 2023, which allowed users to set their domain as their username and saw over 270,000 accounts linking their Bluesky usernames to their websites. The social network says that while this continues to be an important part of verification on the platform, it has “heard from users that a larger visual signal would be useful in knowing which accounts are authentic.”
With the introduction of its new layer of verification system—a user-friendly, easily recognizable blue check- Bluesky says it will “proactively verify authentic and notable accounts” and add a blue tick next to their account names. The social site adds that through its Trusted Verifiers feature, select independent organizations are also able to verify accounts directly. However, Bluesky will also review these verifications to ensure authenticity. This means, an organization like the New York Times can now give out blue checkmarks to its journalists directly in the app, and then Bluesky’s moderation team reviews each verification to ensure authenticity.
Users will be able to see which organizations granted verification by tapping on a verified account’s blue check. For those who wish to hide verification within the app — navigate to Settings > Moderation > Verification Settings and toggle it off.
Meanwhile, at the moment, Bluesky is not accepting direct applications for verification. The platform, however, says that as the feature stabilizes, a request form for notable and authentic accounts interested in becoming verified or becoming trusted verifiers will be launched.
