We don’t mind that this is a familiar concept. Bluesky is rolling out innovative methods to identify genuine, verified accounts on its social media platform. An official update on Bluesky’s blog reveals that certain accounts will now display a blue checkmark alongside their names. Additionally, Bluesky will allow “select independent organizations” to verify their employees’ accounts directly, with the New York Times being one example that can now assign blue ticks to its journalists. Users can see which organization provided the verification by tapping on a verified account’s blue check.

This new initiative mirrors the blue checkmark verification system that Twitter used to have before Elon Musk acquired the platform and rebranded it as X, where checkmarks became available to anyone who subscribed to Twitter Blue. Bluesky has not disclosed specific criteria for which accounts qualify for the blue checkmark, stating only that it will actively verify “authentic and notable” accounts. This adds another verification layer to Bluesky’s existing verified domain system, which allows individuals and organizations to set their domain as their username, still accessible to all users.

Regarding the blue checkmarks, Bluesky mentioned in its update that the platform isn’t currently accepting direct verification applications. Instead, it plans to introduce a request form for notable and authentic accounts interested in gaining verification or becoming trusted verifiers.