Bluesky adds blue checks to verified user accounts in a bold move to strengthen platform trust and transparency. Announced on April 22, 2025, the decentralized social media platform—developed by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey—confirmed that blue verification badges will now appear next to names of notable and authentic users.
In a blog post, the Bluesky team emphasized the importance of building a trustworthy environment, stating, “Trust is everything.” The platform’s goal is to help users distinguish real individuals and organizations from imposters, reflecting a key feature once used by Twitter before it was rebranded as X.
Why Bluesky Adds Blue Checks Now
Bluesky’s timing is strategic. As the platform grows beyond 30 million users, the need to manage identity authenticity has become critical. The Bluesky adds blue checks initiative also sets the platform apart from its competitor X, which removed identity-based verification after Elon Musk’s 2022 takeover and replaced it with a pay-to-play model through X Premium.
“Social media has connected us in powerful ways, but it hasn’t always given us the tools to know who we’re interacting with,” the Bluesky team wrote. “We want to change that.”
The Origins and Rise of Bluesky
Created as a side project in 2019 by Jack Dorsey, Bluesky was envisioned as a decentralized answer to Twitter’s central moderation struggles. Dorsey believed that giving users more control over their data and content would lead to a healthier digital space.
After Twitter’s acquisition by Elon Musk in 2022, Bluesky gained momentum and officially launched in 2023. Its growth has since surged, with user numbers climbing into the tens of millions.
One of Bluesky’s unique features is its domain-based identity system, allowing users to use their own web addresses as usernames. According to the platform, over 270,000 accounts already use this system to verify their identities.
How Bluesky’s Blue Checks Work
Initially, Bluesky adds blue checks only to “trusted verifiers”—accounts that are authentic and notable. These checks will appear automatically, and the platform intends to roll out a formal application process for those seeking verification soon.
Chief Operating Officer Rose Wang expressed optimism, calling 2025 a “coming-out year” for Bluesky. “People want a safe, moderated space to discuss news, enjoy themselves, and make connections. Right now, they’re not finding that anywhere else,” she told AFP.
Conclusion
As Bluesky adds blue checks and builds tools for greater transparency, it’s quickly becoming a serious competitor to X in the social media arena. With its commitment to decentralization, trust, and identity verification, Bluesky is reshaping the future of online interaction—offering users a safer, more authentic digital space.
