Reddit verification badges are officially being tested, and this time, the platform is taking a very different approach from its rivals.
Reddit has started a limited pilot that adds a small grey checkmark next to the usernames of verified public figures and businesses. The goal is simple. Help users understand who they are really talking to when identity actually matters.
According to Reddit, the feature is meant for moments like expert AMAs, breaking news posts from journalists, or official updates shared by brands. It is not about status or clout. It is about trust.
That alone sets Reddit apart in a social media world where verification often feels like a paid accessory rather than a credibility signal.
There was a time when a verification badge meant one thing. It confirmed that a public figure was who they claimed to be. No subscriptions. No algorithms. No confusion.
That meaning has eroded in recent years. Reddit appears to be pushing back.
With misinformation spreading faster than ever, Reddit says verifying notable users is one way to reduce confusion without rewriting the platform’s DNA.
That DNA is built on pseudonymity.
Reddit openly admits that anonymity is core to its culture. Many users feel safer sharing honest opinions without attaching their real names. The company says this new feature will not change that.
Verification is optional. Completely opt in.
If a user chooses not to verify, nothing happens. No penalty. No ranking change. No reduced visibility.
The checkmark does not turn someone into an elite Redditor. It simply makes it easier for users and moderators to confirm that a person is being truthful about who they are.
Reddit is also clear about what verification does not mean.
If an account does not have a checkmark, that does not mean the person is lying. The platform is only testing Reddit verification badges with a small group of accounts right now. Even if the feature expands, many well known users may never apply.
Some probably never will.
Tony Hawk is a perfect example.
He regularly posts in skateboarding communities like any other user. He talks gear. He chats casually. He blends right in.
The only giveaway is when he uploads videos of himself skating. There are not many people in their late fifties casually landing heel flips. At that point, the truth becomes obvious.
Reddit seems comfortable with that kind of organic authenticity.
During the current alpha rollout, eligibility is limited. Users must be active contributors, in good standing, and connected to what Reddit calls trusted partners. The company has not explained what trusted partners means yet.
What Reddit has explained is who will not qualify.
Accounts that are marked NSFW are not eligible. Neither are users who primarily participate in NSFW communities. Reddit says this rule applies regardless of public status.
The badge also comes with no extra perks.
Verified users do not get boosted reach. They do not receive moderation powers. They do not unlock special tools.
The badge only confirms identity. Nothing more.
For now, Reddit is handling verification manually. The company says it plans to move to a third party verification process later, but no timeline has been shared.
This experiment is happening at an interesting moment.
Reddit is not the only platform thinking about identity, bots, and trust.
Alexis Ohanian, Reddit’s co founder, is preparing to relaunch Digg. The reboot is built around a clear concern. The modern internet is filling up with bots, spam, and AI driven accounts pretending to be human.
Digg’s team has said it wants to create a space where real people can talk to real people again. They are even exploring zero knowledge proofs as a way to confirm humanity without exposing personal data.
That idea echoes a wider industry shift.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has also been vocal about the need for human verification online. His project, World, focuses entirely on proving that a user is a real person, not a bot or AI agent.
World is expected to release a new app soon, continuing the push toward identity systems designed for an AI heavy internet.
Against that backdrop, Reddit verification badges feel less like a cosmetic feature and more like a strategic move.
Reddit is not trying to out verify Twitter or copy Meta. It is testing a narrow solution to a growing problem. How do users know who to trust when AI can generate endless convincing identities?
For now, Reddit is moving slowly. The rollout is small. The badge is subtle. The rules are strict.
That may be intentional.
Reddit has always been cautious about changing the social dynamics that make its communities work. By keeping verification voluntary and limited, the platform avoids turning identity into a requirement.
At the same time, it gives moderators and users a tool to reduce impersonation in moments where credibility matters most.
Whether Reddit verification badges expand or remain niche will depend on how users react. Redditors tend to resist anything that feels performative or hierarchical.
This experiment walks a fine line.
If Reddit can preserve anonymity while offering clarity where needed, the feature could quietly become one of the platform’s most useful updates in years.
If it goes too far, Reddit users will let the company know. Loudly.
For now, the checkmark is small, grey, and optional.
That might be exactly why it works.
