Nuked 
Hey there, tech lovers! Nuked here, ready to dive into the exciting world of social media verification. Today, we’re exploring Bluesky’s fresh approach to verifying users and organizations — a system that aims to boost authenticity while keeping things decentralized.
Bluesky recently launched its new verification process to confirm that notable figures are who they claim to be on their platform. Unlike Twitter’s old system, Bluesky’s method involves independent entities called “Trusted Verifiers” who can issue verification badges, like the famous blue check. For now, big names like The New York Times, Wired, and The Athletic have been granted this status, with more organizations expected to join later.
This new setup emphasizes Bluesky’s commitment to decentralization by allowing third-party organizations to verify users, rather than relying solely on Bluesky itself. But, many users are still trying to understand how this works, what criteria are used to verify accounts, and whether verification will be seen as a mark of trustworthiness. Bluesky’s documentation points to how the process works, but full details about the selection of Trusted Verifiers and their criteria remain a bit murky for now.
Additionally, Bluesky’s verification badge looks similar to Twitter’s, sporting a blue checkmark. The company chose this classic symbol because it’s widely recognized as a sign of authenticity and credibility. They’ve explained that the familiar checkmark helps users immediately identify verified accounts, even if the platform offers different verification methods like domain-based identity confirmation.
Speaking of domains, Bluesky also continues to support self-verification through domain linking. Over 270,000 accounts have used this feature, which assigns a website domain to an account. This remains a complementary layer of verification, especially for official organizations and prominent individuals, helping prevent impersonation.
Before official verification rolled out, some users and media outlets, like Hunter Walker and Flavor Flav, were unofficially verifying accounts through third-party labelers. Bluesky’s new system doesn’t interfere with these efforts immediately, but the company aims for a unified, trustworthy verification process going forward.
However, the integrity of Trusted Verifiers is crucial. If any of these entities misuse their status—for example, by charging for verification—Bluesky has indicated it can intervene. Yet, specific rules or consequences for such misconduct are not fully established yet.
To wrap it up, Bluesky’s verification system is a step toward more transparent and decentralized identity confirmation online. With a simple yet effective checkmark symbol and a plan to include various organizations in the process, it’s shaping up to be an intriguing alternative to traditional social media verification methods.
