Reddit Rolls Out Grey Checkmarks. Not Everyone Gets One

Reddit just launched verification badges. But this isn’t Twitter’s blue checkmark free-for-all.

The platform started testing grey checkmarks for a handpicked group of public figures and brands. Think journalists from NBC News and the Boston Globe, plus businesses already sporting Reddit’s “official” badge. It’s a curated launch, not an open application process.

Who Actually Gets Verified

Reddit isn’t handing out checkmarks to anyone who asks. At least not yet.

The company selected the first wave of verified accounts manually. Journalists from major outlets made the cut. Plus, brands that already had Reddit’s “official” label now display grey checkmarks instead.

So if you’re hoping to verify your account today, you can’t. Reddit closed applications before they even opened. However, a company spokesperson told Engadget that eventually “anyone who wishes to self-identify will be able to do so in the future.”

That’s vague timing. But it suggests Reddit plans to expand verification beyond celebrities and media organizations. Just not immediately.

What Verification Actually Means Here

Reddit’s approach differs from most social platforms. The checkmark indicates identity verification, nothing more.

Verified accounts don’t get special treatment. No boosted visibility. No immunity from subreddit rules. No exclusive features. The badge simply confirms “this person is who they claim to be.”

Reddit emphasizes this point explicitly. They say verification is “voluntary, opt-in, and explicitly not about status.” It’s meant to reduce confusion when users engage with public figures, especially during AMAs or breaking news discussions.

Plus, Reddit wants to lighten the load for moderators who currently verify users manually. That’s a practical benefit for communities that regularly host experts or notable guests.

The Rules Are Pretty Strict

Not every account qualifies for verification, even when Reddit expands eligibility.

First, your account must be in good standing. That means no major rule violations or bans. You also need to be actively using the platform already. Brand new accounts won’t make the cut.

But here’s the kicker. NSFW accounts are explicitly excluded. If your account is marked NSFW or you “primarily engage in NSFW-tagged communities,” verification isn’t available. That’s a significant restriction on a platform where adult content remains prevalent.

Reddit positions this as adding clarity for users. But it also creates a two-tier system where certain communities and content types can’t access verification at all.

Why Reddit Avoided the Blue Checkmark Trap

Other platforms turned verification into a status symbol or revenue stream. Reddit watched those experiments fail spectacularly.

Twitter’s blue checkmark became worthless after Elon Musk made it purchasable. Anyone with $8 could claim verification, regardless of identity. That defeated the entire purpose and created widespread impersonation problems.

Instead, Reddit mimics pre-Musk Twitter. Verification requires actual identity confirmation. It’s not for sale. And it doesn’t confer special privileges beyond clarity.

The grey color choice matters too. It’s neutral, not aspirational. Blue checkmarks became social currency. Grey ones just state facts.

What Comes Next

Reddit’s verification rollout is just beginning. The current test group is tiny.

Expansion plans exist but lack specifics. The company wants broader verification availability eventually. But they’re moving slowly, testing how the feature works before opening the floodgates.

That’s probably smart. Social platforms that rushed verification created problems they’re still fixing. Reddit’s cautious approach might avoid those mistakes.

Still, questions remain. How will Reddit verify identity at scale? Will verification cost money eventually? What happens when trolls inevitably find ways to game the system?

Reddit isn’t answering those questions yet. For now, verification stays limited to a small group while the platform figures out what works.

The grey checkmark is here. But most users won’t see one beside their username anytime soon.