Bluesky Rolls Out Blue Checkmarks for Trusted Accounts
This comes not long after Bluesky's active push against fake accounts.
Bluesky’s journey as a social media platform has been an interesting one. It launched with the goal of being a decentralised alternative to mainstream apps like X (formerly Twitter), and for the most part, it’s stayed true to that.
It successfully piggybacked on X's legal battle and temporary ban in Brazil to give it a major boost. But as it’s grown, it’s also started to adopt more familiar features—partly to meet user expectations, partly to make the platform easier to navigate.
Over the past few months, Bluesky has added trending topics, video support, emoji reactions in DMs, and even teased a premium subscription called 'Bluesky+'. Now, it’s rolling out something that feels straight out of the X (formerly known as Twitter) playbook: the blue check verification system.
Much like Twitter’s original version (before X turned it into a pay-to-play badge), Bluesky’s checkmark is designed to help users quickly identify trustworthy and notable accounts. In its early phase, Bluesky is partnering with a select group of “Trusted Verifiers”—think media outlets or organisations who can vouch for their team members. Verified users get a rounded blue check, while the verifiers themselves get a scalloped one. It's a clean, two-tiered system that brings some needed visual clarity to who’s who.
Verified user with a rounded blue check by the left. Verifier with scalloped blue tick by the right. Image Credit: Bluesky
This builds on Bluesky’s existing verification method, where users could link a domain to their handle. While clever, it wasn’t the most accessible solution, especially for independent creators or journalists without a custom domain. The new system is more user-friendly and scalable, and the platform says verification requests will open up after this initial rollout stabilises.
Right now, Bluesky sees around 196 million monthly visitors, compared to X’s estimated 600 million, so the impact of this new feature may take time to show. Still, with 33 million registered users and steady updates, Bluesky is clearly growing.
That said, it’ll be interesting to see how this plays out long-term. Verification helps prevent impersonation and scams, sure, but as more familiar social media mechanics roll in, Bluesky may need to be careful not to lose the unique identity it started with.
Louis Eriakha
