Reddit has officially started testing its new verification system, and users are already asking what the gray checkmark means, who can get verified, and how the feature works. The platform confirmed this week that verification will appear as a subtle gray badge next to usernames, helping identify real public figures and trusted partners across posts, profiles, communities, and search results. While many social platforms link verification to status, Reddit says its approach is strictly about clarity and authenticity.
In this limited alpha test, Reddit has selected a small group of public figures and partners to participate. These accounts must meet a few criteria: they need to be in good standing, opt in voluntarily, and actively contribute to the platform. Reddit emphasizes that verification doesn’t come with any perks or special privileges. Instead, the company says the gray checkmark is meant to help users quickly confirm identity in a space where pseudonymity has long been part of the culture.
Once activated, the gray checkmark will show up almost everywhere a username appears. That includes profile pages, subreddit communities, user feeds, post detail pages, and even Reddit’s search results. The goal is to make identification seamless, especially as the platform continues to grow globally. Reddit notes that many moderators currently verify users manually, and this new system aims to lighten their workload while standardizing the process across the site.
Since 2023, Reddit has tested “Official” labels for businesses. With this new rollout, those labels will be replaced by the gray checkmark to maintain a consistent verification experience. Companies participating in the test will transition automatically and won’t need to apply again. The shift helps unify identity signals for both individuals and businesses while preventing confusion between user-driven flair and platform-approved verification.
A key part of Reddit’s announcement stresses that verification is not a requirement and won’t change the core of its pseudonymous culture. The company says the feature is entirely opt-in, ensuring users who prefer anonymity can continue participating as they always have. Reddit frames the system as a tool—not a status symbol—designed to offer clarity without compromising the platform’s identity-first philosophy.
As Reddit expands its presence globally and navigates partnerships with developers, advertisers, and media, identity verification has become a growing priority. The company says it wants to support authenticity as more public figures, experts, and brands use the platform to communicate directly with users. The verification test gives Reddit space to evaluate how the feature affects community interactions before deciding whether to open applications more broadly.
For now, everyday users won’t be able to request verification. Reddit says it will expand the program only after gathering feedback, monitoring behavior, and understanding how communities respond to the gray checkmark. Keeping the test small helps the company refine the process, address potential misuse, and evaluate the long-term role verification might play on the platform.
As the test continues, Reddit will assess how verified profiles influence trust, moderation, and user experience. The company says it hopes the test will create “a consistent way for individuals and businesses who wish to clearly identify themselves on Reddit.” If successful, the gray checkmark could become a permanent part of Reddit’s identity—one that balances authenticity with the platform’s long-standing tradition of pseudonymity.
𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁, 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀.
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