How Bluesky’s Verification Differs from X’s
Bluesky, the fast-growing decentralized social network and alternative to X (formerly Twitter), revealed its plans to revolutionize account verification during a recent livestream. Unlike the traditional pay-for-verification models adopted by Meta and X, Bluesky aims to create a decentralized, flexible system involving multiple verification providers to serve diverse community needs.
Current Verification: Custom Domains
Bluesky’s existing verification method allows users to link their accounts to custom domain names, a feature introduced last year. For instance, the account @cnn.com belongs to CNN, providing an easy and transparent way to confirm identities. While effective, Bluesky acknowledges that custom domains are only a piece of the larger verification puzzle.
A Decentralized Verification Ecosystem
Bluesky’s CEO, Jay Graber, outlined a vision for a decentralized verification system where multiple entities—not just Bluesky—can provide verification services. This model empowers users and organizations to define their own rules and criteria for verification, reducing reliance on a single authority.
Graber explained, “We could be a verification provider at some point… but other apps and services could choose to trust us, build their own verification systems, or use third-party options.” This innovative approach aligns with Bluesky’s open-web philosophy, which already allows users to create custom feeds, moderation systems, and algorithms.
Verification Tailored to Communities
Bluesky’s proposed system could be highly adaptable. For example, universities might verify alumni, while fan groups like Swifties could confirm members’ affiliations. This flexibility ensures verification can be as specific or broad as needed, creating trust within various communities.
The challenge lies in presenting multiple verification types without confusing users. Bluesky is exploring options such as badges to visually represent different forms of verification.
Addressing Problems with Existing Models
The current verification models used by X and Meta have faced criticism. X’s approach, introduced under Elon Musk, allows anyone to pay for a blue check, which has led to impersonation issues and devalued the meaning of verification. Meta’s paid verification primarily benefits businesses and creators but lacks broader applicability.
Bluesky’s decentralized system avoids these pitfalls by creating infrastructure that lets users verify others according to tailored policies. This user-first design shifts power from centralized entities to the broader community.
Rapid Growth and Future Plans
Bluesky’s growth has been meteoric, adding 9 million new users since the U.S. presidential elections, bringing its total user base to 23 million. The company’s 20-person team is working hard to scale with demand while refining its long-term plans.
One potential feature involves connecting user profiles to broader web presences, such as personal websites or social media accounts, similar to Linktree. However, Bluesky has yet to commit to specific timelines for these updates, as its focus remains on managing its rapid growth.
A New Era of Verification
Bluesky’s verification approach represents a significant departure from traditional social media models, focusing on community-driven, decentralized solutions. By prioritizing flexibility and user trust, Bluesky is not only addressing long-standing verification challenges, but also setting a new standard for how social networks operate.
With its ambitious vision and user-centric design, Bluesky continues to establish itself as a compelling alternative in the changing media scene.
