Bluesky Verification: Notable Users to be Verified

Bluesky Launches Verification Process for Notable Users

Access to verification on the Bluesky social networking platform has been expanded, as announced on Thursday. The Bluesky Safety account revealed that applications for verification are now being accepted from accounts deemed “notable and authentic” via a newly released online form.

Furthermore, organizations are now able to submit requests to become Trusted Verifiers. This status grants them access to the necessary tools for verifying other users. Initial testing of this feature began last month with a limited number of organizations, including prominent entities like The New York Times, Wired, and The Athletic.

Concerns Regarding Verification

The introduction of the blue verification badge has been met with some resistance within the Bluesky community. Some users associate it with the pursuit of status that characterized Twitter (now X) prior to its changes.

On Twitter, verification evolved from a marker of authenticity to a perk reserved for paid subscribers under Elon Musk’s ownership. This created a perceived hierarchy, suggesting that certain individuals were more significant than others.

Bluesky’s Distinct Verification Approach

Bluesky is implementing a verification system that extends beyond the traditional blue badge. Beyond delegating verification to Trusted Verifiers, users can also achieve self-verification by utilizing a domain name as their username, as demonstrated by NPR (@npr.org).

Currently, over 270,000 accounts have already implemented domain-based verification.

Application Vetting Process

The specifics of how Bluesky will evaluate verification applications remain somewhat unclear.

The application form outlines fundamental requirements, including account activity, completeness (a filled-out bio and profile picture), and security measures. Applicants must also represent a “real person, registered business, organization, or legitimate entity” and provide a link to an official website, if applicable.

Determining what constitutes “notability” is a more complex matter.

Bluesky states that notable accounts must be recognized within their respective “field and geographic region.” The company will consider indicators such as “professional recognition, media coverage in established publications, presence on credible reference platforms, or other evidence of public interest.”

Additional notability criteria may apply to specific verification categories, though these are not currently publicly documented.

“We consider the overall context and public interest value of each account,” the form states. “Please provide links and evidence that can help us ensure that your account meets notability criteria.”

Application Response and Cultural Impact

Bluesky will only contact applicants whose accounts are selected for verification, implying a manual review process to prevent overlooking prominent figures.

The introduction of verification may influence Bluesky’s existing culture, which has, until now, distinguished itself from platforms like Twitter/X and Threads by avoiding the elevation of certain users.

The announcement might have been better received had it followed the establishment of a broader network of Trusted Verifiers – independent organizations. This would have more clearly signaled Bluesky’s commitment to decentralized authority.

Alternative Verification Models

A forked version of Bluesky, Deer.Social, employs a more democratic verification approach. It allows users to designate individuals they trust as verifiers, and then view the accounts verified by those trusted sources. This system enables peer-to-peer verification without relying on a central authority.

Therefore, users who are dissatisfied with Bluesky’s verification process have an alternative option available.

Bluesky did not respond to requests for further comment at the time of this report.