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Saved February 14, 2026
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Reddit is testing verification badges for notable users, aiming to reduce misinformation by confirming identities. The feature is voluntary and does not grant special privileges, and it excludes NSFW profiles. Active contributors in good standing may receive a grey checkmark beside their username.
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Reddit is testing a verification feature that adds a grey checkmark next to the usernames of notable users, such as celebrities or journalists. This aims to help users identify credible sources, especially during events like AMAs or breaking news coverage. The platform acknowledges its culture of pseudonymity, allowing users to express themselves freely, but emphasizes that this verification process is voluntary. The absence of a checkmark doesnβt imply that a user is untrustworthy; it simply indicates that verification isn't guaranteed for everyone, even if they are well-known.
Currently, Reddit is manually verifying profiles, focusing on active contributors who are in good standing. Notably, accounts tied to NSFW content wonβt be eligible for verification. The rollout comes amid broader conversations about online authenticity, coinciding with Alexis Ohanian's efforts to reboot Digg. Ohanian's team is concerned about the prevalence of bots and AI, aiming to create a platform centered around genuine human interaction. Meanwhile, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, is also working on a human verification app called World, which will help distinguish real users from bots.
The verification initiative reflects a growing trend in social media to combat misinformation and enhance trust among users. By implementing this feature, Reddit hopes to streamline the identification of credible accounts while maintaining its core values of user anonymity and expression.
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