Bluesky Rolls Out Decentralized Verification Checkmarks
Bluesky is bringing back verification, reminiscent of Twitter's past, with blue checkmarks for approved users. Learn more about Bluesky verification.
Bluesky CEO Jay Graber's profile showcases a round verification marker, echoing the Bluesky logo. However, some accounts display a traditional checkmark.
Decentralized Verification
To scale verification and reduce its team's workload, Bluesky is empowering trusted providers to award their own blue ticks. This decentralized approach allows organizations like the New York Times to verify their journalists directly within the app.
We're also enabling trusted verifiers: organizations that can directly issue blue checks. For example, the New York Times can now issue blue checks to its journalists directly in the app. Bluesky's moderation team reviews each verification to ensure authenticity.
Users can tap a verification tick to understand the approval process.
Scalability Concerns
This decentralized approach raises concerns about scalability and potential misuse. Will all approved organizations act responsibly? The slow rollout may help Bluesky identify issues before they escalate.
Misinterpretation of verification criteria and inconsistent application across organizations could lead to a proliferation of checkmarks, diminishing their value.
Maintaining accurate verification status as staff change roles or leave organizations presents another challenge.
Bluesky's Growth and Future
This verification system's effectiveness hinges on Bluesky's growth trajectory. While the platform saw a surge in 2024, reaching 35 million users, growth has slowed in 2025. Threads seems to be attracting more former Twitter users.
At a smaller scale, Bluesky can better monitor verification approvals. Currently, Bluesky is not accepting direct applications for verification. A request form will be launched later for notable and authentic accounts.
During this initial phase, Bluesky is not accepting direct applications for verification. As this feature stabilizes, we’ll launch a request form for notable and authentic accounts interested in becoming verified or becoming trusted verifiers.
This decentralized verification approach is innovative but potentially problematic at scale. Its success depends on careful monitoring and controlled growth.
