Bluesky Launches Verification for Notable Accounts and Trusted Verifiers

Bluesky has quietly rolled out a new verification system aimed at authenticating "notable and authentic" accounts on its social networking platform. This move opens verification applications to individual users and organizations, marking a significant step in Bluesky’s efforts to establish trust and credibility among its user base.

Organizations can now apply to become Trusted Verifiers, gaining access to tools that allow them to verify other accounts. Early testers of this feature included reputable media outlets such as The New York Times, Wired, and The Athletic, signaling Bluesky’s intent to decentralize verification beyond the company itself.

Unlike Twitter’s verification system, which evolved into a paid status symbol under Elon Musk’s ownership, Bluesky’s approach aims to avoid creating a two-tiered social hierarchy. It offers domain-based self-verification, allowing users to set their username as a verified domain, a method already adopted by over 270,000 accounts such as NPR’s @npr.org.

The verification application requires accounts to be active, complete, and secure, representing real people, businesses, or legitimate entities. However, Bluesky’s criteria for "notability" are less clearly defined, relying on factors like professional recognition, media coverage, and public interest within specific fields and geographic regions.

The company does not respond to all applicants, only those selected for verification, which means a manual review process is in place to ensure no notable figures are overlooked. This cautious approach reflects Bluesky’s desire to maintain a balanced and trustworthy verification ecosystem.

The introduction of verification could influence Bluesky’s culture, which has so far differentiated itself from platforms like Twitter and Threads by avoiding hierarchical clout dynamics. Some users have expressed concern that verification badges might reintroduce status competition.

Interestingly, alternative platforms like Deer.Social, a fork of Bluesky, have adopted a more democratic verification model. Deer.Social allows users to choose trusted verifiers themselves, creating a decentralized web of trust without a central authority. This highlights the evolving landscape of social verification and the search for more transparent, user-driven systems.

Bluesky’s verification rollout reflects broader industry challenges in balancing authenticity, user trust, and social equity. As social networks evolve, the methods they use to verify identity and notability will significantly impact user experience and platform culture.