Bluesky appears set to introduce a blue check verification system following a pull request in its public GitHub repository spotted by reverse engineer alice.mosphere.at. The new design will let multiple trusted organizations issue blue checks alongside Bluesky’s own verifications. A blog post linked in the code is dated April 21, 2025, and suggests an official announcement could arrive as soon as Monday. Verified accounts will show a solid blue circle with a white checkmark, while trusted verifiers will have a scalloped blue circle. This marks a shift toward a decentralized model of trust that differs markedly from systems on other platforms.
New Verification System Details
Bluesky developers added code for a new blue check system to the main app repository on GitHub. The information about the verification feature had its first modification detected by alice.mosphere.at. A pull request initiated on April 18, 2025, aligns with the blog post reference that marked the release date as April 21, 2025. Multiple indicators suggest that Apple will release its new product during the upcoming week.
The code suggests that Bluesky will not act alone in granting checks. Instead, the platform will name certain organizations as trusted verifiers and allow them to issue blue checks directly to users. This will sit alongside Bluesky’s own ability to verify notable accounts. The goal is to build a web of trust that spans many communities and publishers.
How the Verification Works
Bluesky already lets users prove their identity by linking accounts to an official domain. This method shows that the account at a trusted website indeed belongs to a real person or organization. For example, the New York Times account on Bluesky can be linked to nytimes.com.
The new system will add two distinct icons. One will be a plain blue circle with a white checkmark for accounts verified by Bluesky or by a trusted verifier. The other will use a scalloped blue border to highlight organizations authorized to grant verification. When users tap on a checkmark, they will see a list of the groups that issued the verification.
Icon Designs and Verifier Roles
The solid circle icon will appear on all verified profiles. The scalloped circle will distinguish those who can act as verifiers. By layering these symbols in profile displays, Bluesky aims to make it clear who has vouched for whom.
A New Approach to Verification
This plan stands in contrast to the verification changes on X under Elon Musk. That platform now ties blue checks largely to paid subscriptions and selective approvals. Many critics say that the approach has watered down what a blue check once meant.
Bluesky CEO Jay Graber has long hinted at a more open system of trust. She has suggested that verification could be handled by many different apps and services rather than by Bluesky alone. In her view, schools or fan groups might verify their own members under their own rules. This would make verification more flexible and reflective of real-world networks.
Toward a More Trusted Community
By spreading out verification to multiple trusted bodies, Bluesky hopes to build a richer and more accurate system of identity on its network. This move may help to curb impersonation and to highlight credible voices. At the same time, the success of the approach will depend on how clearly Bluesky and its partners display and manage these verifications. As the new check system rolls out, many will watch how well it balances openness with authority on the platform.
