Bluesky, a rising rival to X (formerly Twitter), has officially introduced blue check marks for verified accounts.
Verified Users Will Now Get a Blue Check
In a recent blog post, Bluesky shared that it will now “proactively verify authentic and notable accounts” and display a blue check next to their names. This move aims to help users identify genuine profiles and avoid imposters.
Inspired by Twitter’s Old System
The new feature is similar to the original Twitter verification system, which was used to confirm the identity of public figures and brands. That feature was later removed by Elon Musk after he took over Twitter in 2022. Instead, Musk made blue checks available only through a paid subscription model called X Premium.
Focus on Trust and Safety
“Trust is everything,” said the Bluesky team in their blog post. They explained that while social media has helped people connect, it often lacks the tools to confirm who users are or whether they should be trusted.
A Project Started by Jack Dorsey
Bluesky was started in 2019 by Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter. He wanted to create a decentralized social network where users could have more control over their data and content. According to Dorsey, traditional platforms struggle with handling abuse and misinformation.
Launched After Twitter’s Ownership Change
Bluesky officially launched in 2023, following Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter. Musk, who is known to support former US President Donald Trump, has faced criticism for allowing misinformation to spread on his platform.
Bluesky’s Growing Popularity
Earlier this year, Bluesky reported that it had grown to over 30 million users. It already allows people and organizations to verify themselves by using their website addresses as usernames. More than 270,000 accounts have used this feature so far.
Trusted Verifiers to Get First Blue Checks
The platform said that it will first give blue checks to “trusted verifiers.” Eventually, they plan to release a request form so that more accounts can apply for the verification badge.
Bluesky COO Shares Optimism
Rose Wang, Bluesky’s chief operating officer, shared her excitement in an interview with AFP. “We really see this as our coming-out year,” she said. Wang added that people want a safe, moderated space to talk, have fun, and make friends—something that they can’t find on other platforms right now.
