Bluesky has announced a new verification system aimed at recognizing “authentic and notable accounts” with a blue checkmark enclosed in a circular icon, the company shared in a blog post. This builds upon the platform’s existing self-verification method, which requires users to link their handle to a personal or organizational domain (like “@name.newsroom.com”). That system, while secure, has been criticized for being overly technical and inaccessible for many users.
With the latest update, Bluesky is offering a more streamlined path to verification, particularly benefiting independent journalists and content creators who may not have the means or need to set up a domain. For now, the platform is not allowing users to request verification directly. “As we roll this out, we’re not accepting verification applications. Once the system is stable, a request form will be introduced for users with notable and authentic profiles, as well as for those interested in becoming trusted verifiers,” the company stated.
In addition to the blue checkmark, Bluesky is also rolling out a “Trusted Verifier” status for select organizations, such as The New York Times. These entities will be able to verify their affiliated users directly. Accounts verified by these trusted bodies will display a special scallop-shaped badge. Users can view which organization verified a given account by tapping on the blue checkmark, and there’s an option to hide verification information via the app’s Moderation settings.
Despite these changes, Bluesky will continue to support its original domain-based verification system. Over 270,000 accounts have already linked their handles to their websites using this method. “Custom domains remain an important part of our identity system,” the platform noted, “but users have told us that more visible signals are helpful in identifying authentic accounts.”
These updates come as Bluesky grapples with a rise in impersonation attempts, particularly following a spike in user numbers last year. By allowing verification to be distributed among trusted institutions, the company hopes to scale its efforts while preserving credibility. In contrast, Elon Musk’s X platform offers verification to any user willing to pay, a model that many critics argue has weakened the integrity of the checkmark system.
