Hajra Naz
Bluesky has started offering verification to high-profile users on its social platform. Through its Bluesky Safety account, the business announced Thursday that anyone with “notable and authentic” accounts can now use a new online form to apply for verification.
Organizations also have the option to become Trusted Verifiers. This would allow them to verify other users, a feature Bluesky began testing last month with select partners like The New York Times, Wired, and The Athletic.
Not everyone on the platform is excited about the introduction of verification badges. Some users see it as a return to the status-driven culture that once defined Twitter (now X), where verification became a symbol of influence. Under Elon Musk’s ownership, Twitter’s blue check became a perk for paid subscribers, reinforcing a two-tier system.
Bluesky is trying a different approach. Beyond the standard blue badge, it allows users to verify their identity through custom domains for instance, NPR uses the handle @npr.org. So far, more than 270,000 accounts have opted for this domain-based method.
Read More: Bluesky vs. X: What Sets It Apart as a Social Media Alternative?
Still, questions remain about how Bluesky plans to review and approve verification requests. The application form outlines a few basic qualifications:
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Accounts must be active
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Complete (with a bio and profile photo)
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Secure
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Represent a real person, business, or organization
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Include a link to an official website, if available
Determining what counts as “notable” is less straightforward. Bluesky says it considers whether someone is recognized in their industry or region and will look at indicators like
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Professional recognition
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Media coverage in reputable outlets
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Presence on credible reference platforms
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Other evidence of public interest
Applicants are asked to provide links and proof to support their notability, but Bluesky won’t respond unless an account is selected. This implies someone is manually reviewing requests to ensure notable figures aren’t missed.
The move could change Bluesky’s platform culture, which has tried to avoid the hierarchical dynamics of Twitter/X and Threads. Some believe the rollout might have been better received if Bluesky had first established a broader network of independent, trusted verifiers, highlighting its goal of being less centralized.
Elsewhere, a Bluesky fork called Deer. Social has taken a more community-driven approach. It lets users select who they trust as verifiers and view the accounts those individuals have verified. This creates a peer-based model without the need for a central authority.
Bluesky did not respond to requests for comment.
