Bluesky, a fast-growing rival to X (formerly Twitter), announced on Monday that it is introducing blue check marks to verified accounts in a push to confirm users' identities and build trust across the platform.
In a blog post, the company said it will “proactively verify authentic and notable accounts and display a blue check next to their names.” The post emphasized that “trust is everything” when it comes to user interaction online.
The move mirrors a system previously used by Twitter to help users distinguish real accounts from imposters. That approach was scrapped after billionaire Elon Musk acquired Twitter in 2022. Since then, the platform now known as X has offered blue checks to users who subscribe to its X Premium service, regardless of identity verification.
“Social media has connected us in powerful ways, but it hasn’t always given us the tools to know who we’re interacting with or why we should trust them,” Bluesky said in its post.
Bluesky was originally launched as a side project in 2019 by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey. Dorsey assigned a small team to create a decentralized alternative to Twitter, arguing that centralized moderation would never be able to effectively address abuse or misinformation. He also wanted users to have more control over their personal data and the moderation of content.
The platform remained under development until it officially launched in 2023, a year after Musk’s acquisition of Twitter. Since then, Bluesky has grown quickly, with more than 30 million users as of earlier this year, according to the company.
Even before adding blue checks, Bluesky allowed individuals and organizations to verify their identity by linking their user name to a domain they control. Over 270,000 accounts currently use that method. The new blue check system will start with a group of “trusted verifiers,” and Bluesky plans to roll out a request form so other users can apply.
Bluesky Chief Operating Officer Rose Wang said in a recent interview that she believes the platform is entering a crucial growth phase. “We really see this as our coming-out year,” she said. “People want to know what’s happening in the world and need a safe, moderated space to discuss it, have fun, and make friends. Right now, they’re not finding that anywhere else.”