Armin Wolf and associates land a connection at Bluesky, securing a blue hook for their operation.
Say Hello to Blue Checkmark 2.0 on Bluesky!
Embrace the new wave of account verification as Bluesky, the alternative social media platform founded by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, introduces its own version of the coveted blue checkmark.
Unlike Elon Musk's paid X subscription, Bluesky is offering authenticity checks free of charge, focusing on the importance of credibility rather than monetary transactions.
" Trust matters," emphasizes Bluesky. They will be awarding the blue checkmark to "genuine and significant accounts."
Joining the Bluesky community, Austrian broadcaster Armin Wolf is one of the potential candidates for official verification in the coming days.
Users can also opt for self-verification by linking their website to their account.
In the Spotlight
Mental Health and Earlier Retirement
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Smartphone Market Trends
While Apple's new iPhone 16e falters in sales, Samsung, OnePlus, and Xiaomi dominate the top ten list of smartphone sales.
A Jab at Elon Musk
While the blue checkmark on X (formerly known as Twitter) is accessible only through a monthly subscription, Bluesky adheres to Twitter's original principle: Real checks instead of paid approvals!
Bluesky's Success Story
Bluesky, initially launched in 2019 as a Twitter alternative, now boasts over 30 million users. After Elon Musk's $44 billion takeover of Twitter in 2022, Bluesky stands independent.
Bluesky's checkmark will be awarded to celebrities like Armin Wolf, media houses, and official accounts, but not to fake profiles that merely pay for the verification. Wolf, for instance, has around 64,000 followers on Bluesky and has published approximately 1,700 posts.
Verification Differences
Bluesky's verification process is based on notability, authenticity, and activity, and relies on an application-based system. In contrast, Twitter (X) under Musk's ownership has shifted to a subscription-based model, with the primary requirement being payment for a subscription.
Interestingly, Bluesky's approach is more similar to Twitter's original method, focusing on notable accounts with evidence of authenticity, while Twitter (X) prioritizes monetization and reducing impersonation.
For a clear comparison, see the table below:
| Feature | Bluesky Verification | Twitter (X) Verification ||--------------------------|------------------------------|--------------------------|| Basis for Verification | Notability, authenticity, activity (application-based) | Subscription payment, identity check (payment-based) || Who Can Apply | Notable individuals, businesses, organizations (via application) | Any user willing to pay for a subscription || Evidence Required | Media coverage, professional credentials, public interest | Payment receipt, possible ID verification || Who Issues Verification | Bluesky platform or Trusted Verifiers (select organizations) | X platform (centralized) || Transparency | Clear criteria, evolving based on feedback | Less transparent, policy changes frequent || Purpose | Authenticate notable, authentic accounts for trust | Monetization, reduce impersonation |
Technologists at Bluesky are leveraging social-media trends to promote their new verification process, focusing on obtaining blue checkmarks for genuine and significant accounts, contrasting Elon Musk's subscription-based model on X.
This shift in verification strategy highlights Bluesky's commitment to technology that prioritizes trust over monetary transactions, exemplified by their approach to mental health and earlier retirement discussions as well as their smartphone market trends.
