Bluesky's Quiet Nod to Notability: A New Era for Verification? It seems like just yesterday Bluesky was the exclusive club, a digital speakeasy requiring a coveted invite code to even get a peek inside. Then, earlier this year, the doors swung wide open, inviting anyone with an email address to join the decentralized social network. Now, in another significant, albeit quieter, move, Bluesky has begun to formalize its approach to a perennial social media hot topic: verification. Yes, the blue checkmark is back, and it’s making its way onto the AT Protocol. Bluesky, through its official Safety account, recently announced that "notable and authentic" accounts can now apply for verification. It’s a subtle shift, really, but one with potentially massive implications for how trust and credibility are established on the platform. For a service built on the promise of decentralization and user autonomy, introducing a centralized verification process raises some interesting questions. Is this a necessary step towards mainstream adoption, or a slight deviation from its core ethos? The Mechanics of the Blue Check: Who, How, and Why? So, how does one become "notable and authentic" enough for Bluesky’s stamp of approval? Well, that’s where things get a little fuzzy. While an online application form is now available, the precise criteria and the vetting process Bluesky will employ remain somewhat opaque. It’s not entirely clear what metrics they’ll use to determine who gets the coveted blue badge. Will it be follower count? Real-world prominence? A secret handshake? We’re still waiting for the full playbook, it seems. This isn't Bluesky's first foray into the world of authentication, mind you. They’ve been quietly experimenting with a "Trusted Verifier" program for a while now. Think of it like this: certain established organizations were given the keys to a special verification tool. Major players like The New York Times, Wired, and The Athletic were among the initial participants. This makes a lot of sense, doesn't it? Authenticating major news outlets and their journalists is a pretty solid first step in combating misinformation and establishing reliable information sources. The initial batch of verified accounts, numbering just over 200, largely reflects this strategy. We’re talking news organizations, their employees, and a smattering of programmers who are deeply engaged with the platform and its underlying AT Protocol. It’s a smart play, I think, to get the people who are both creating and understanding the platform’s technical backbone to "kick the tires" on this new feature. On a technical level, it’s pretty neat: a trusted account can publish an app.bsky.graph.verification record, almost like a Root Certificate Authority, and Bluesky then decides which of these translate into the official blue checkmark. It’s a blend of decentralized capability with centralized oversight. A Fork in the Road: Deer.Social's Democratic Approach But here’s where the decentralized dream truly gets interesting. Bluesky’s approach, while pragmatic, isn't the only game in town. The beauty of open protocols like AT Protocol is that anyone can build on them, or even fork them. Enter Deer.Social, a fascinating offshoot of Bluesky that takes a radically different stance on verification. Deer.Social champions a far more democratic, community-driven model. Instead of a central authority deciding who's "notable," it lets any user select who they trust as a verifier. Imagine that! You pick the people whose judgment you trust, and then you can see who they have verified across the network. This means anyone can verify others, or be verified themselves, without needing a gatekeeper. It’s a truly decentralized vision of trust, putting the power directly into the hands of the community. For those who recoil at the idea of a central entity dictating authenticity, Deer.Social offers a compelling, truly alternative path. The Bigger Picture: Trust, Authenticity, and the Decentralized Dream This whole verification saga, whether it’s Bluesky’s more centralized approach or Deer.Social’s democratic one, highlights a fundamental challenge for any social network, especially those built on decentralized principles. How do you foster trust and combat the relentless tide of misinformation without becoming the very central authority you sought to escape? Bluesky’s decision to introduce formal verification, coming after its general public opening in February 2024, signals a maturation. It suggests a recognition that for broader appeal and utility, some level of curated authenticity is necessary. People want to know they’re following the real New York Times, not a cleverly disguised imposter. It’s a tightrope walk, balancing the open, permissionless nature of the AT Protocol with the practical needs of a growing user base. In my view, the existence of both Bluesky’s formal verification and Deer.Social’s community-driven model is a net positive. It demonstrates the flexibility and innovation possible within the decentralized web. Users get a choice. Do you prefer a system where a platform vouches for certain accounts, or one where trust is crowdsourced from your own network? As Bluesky continues to evolve, its verification strategy will undoubtedly be a key factor in shaping its identity and, ultimately, its success in carving out a reliable space in the ever-crowded social media landscape. The future of online trust is still being written, and Bluesky is certainly adding some intriguing chapters.
