Bluesky’s Decentralized Verification: A Fresh Alternative to X’s Blue Checks
A New Approach to Social Media Verification
Bluesky, the rapidly growing Twitter/X alternative, is reimagining social media verification with a decentralized model that contrasts sharply with traditional platforms. In a recent livestream, CEO Jay Graber outlined their vision for a multi-provider verification system—a stark departure from the pay-to-verify models adopted by X (formerly Twitter) and Meta.
How Bluesky Verification Works Today
Currently, Bluesky offers one verification method:
- Custom Domains: Users can verify authenticity by linking their account to a owned domain (e.g.,
@nytimes.comfor The New York Times). This system, launched in 2023, helps combat impersonation while maintaining transparency.
The Future: A Decentralized Verification Ecosystem
Bluesky plans to expand verification beyond domains:
- Multiple Verification Providers: Independent entities (universities, fan clubs, etc.) could issue credentials.
- Flexible Trust Models: Users/apps choose which verification sources to recognize.
- Custom Criteria: Providers could verify anything from alumni status to community membership (e.g., Swifties fan group).
“We’re designing for services beyond our own to operate,” explained Graber, emphasizing Bluesky’s role as infrastructure rather than gatekeeper.
Challenges Ahead
- UI/UX Design: How to display multiple verification badges clearly.
- Cross-App Consistency: Ensuring third-party clients handle verifications uniformly.
Why This Matters: Learning from X’s Verification Struggles
Traditional verification models have faced significant issues:
| Platform | Verification Issues |
|---|---|
| X (Twitter) | - Originally elitist - Paid system led to impersonation chaos - Ongoing verified bot problems |
| Meta | Primarily serves creators/businesses rather than general users |
Bluesky’s approach aligns with its broader philosophy of user control, mirroring how it already allows custom:
Bluesky’s Growth and Future Plans
The platform has seen explosive growth, adding 8.7 million users post-election amid X policy changes like:
With 22.7 million total users, Bluesky is outpacing compe*****s like Threads, which is scrambling to add similar features.
What’s Next?
Long-term ideas include:
- Profile Enhancements: Linking to personal websites/social accounts (à la Linktree).
- Expanded Verification: Rolling out the multi-provider system (timeline TBD).
As Bluesky’s 20-person team manages this growth, their verification model could redefine trust in social media—shifting power from platforms to communities.
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