In todays digital landscape, trust has emerged as a key component in our interactions, especially on social media platforms. While these platforms have significantly connected individuals across the globe, they have often lacked the requisite tools to ascertain the authenticity of the accounts we engage with. This has raised questions about the reliability of information shared online, making user verification more pressing than ever.

In an effort to bolster this trust, Bluesky, a social media platform that has gained traction for its unique approach, launched its first layer of verification in 2023. This initial step allowed both individuals and organizations to associate their Bluesky usernames with their official websites, a measure that has seen tremendous uptake. To date, over 270,000 accounts have successfully linked their Bluesky usernames to their domains, a significant milestone that underscores the community's commitment to authenticity. However, feedback from users indicated a demand for a more visible signal that would easily identify which accounts are genuine.

Responding to this need, Bluesky has now introduced a new verification feature a user-friendly and easily recognizable blue checkmark. This blue check will be displayed next to the names of accounts that have been authentically verified by Bluesky. The platform has committed to actively verifying accounts that are notable within their respective fields and will ensure that these authenticated accounts are appropriately marked with the blue check. Additionally, Bluesky is implementing a 'Trusted Verifiers' feature, allowing selected independent organizations to directly verify accounts and issue blue checks. Each verification will undergo a thorough review by Blueskys moderation team to maintain the integrity of the verification process.

To illustrate this new verification process, consider accounts such as The New York Times, which now has the ability to grant blue checks to its journalists directly within the Bluesky app. This streamlined approach not only enhances the credibility of the information shared by these journalists but also makes it easier for users to understand who is providing the news. Importantly, when users tap on a verified accounts blue check, they can view which organization has granted that verification, thereby fostering transparency in the verification process.

Furthermore, Bluesky is cognizant of user preferences and the need for personalized settings. Users have the option to hide verification details within the app, a feature accessible through the Settings menu by navigating to Settings > Moderation > Verification Settings, where they can toggle the verification display on or off according to their preferences.

As for those looking to get verified on Bluesky, the process currently encourages self-verification by linking one's domain as their username. This method is highly recommended for both official organizations and individuals who wish to establish their authenticity on the platform. However, its crucial to note that during this initial phase of rollout, Bluesky is not accepting direct applications for verification. Once the feature stabilizes and demonstrates its reliability, the platform plans to introduce a request form for notable accounts that are interested in becoming verified or taking on the role of trusted verifiers.

Ultimately, while the blue checkmarks and trusted verifiers represent a significant step towards building trust on Bluesky, its important to recognize that trust is built not only through formal verification processes but also through authentic relationships and shared experiences within the community.