Mastodon is widely considered to be one of the best Twitter alternatives, but is it possible for users to get a verified check mark? Ever since Elon Musk took over Twitter, his eccentric ideas have resulted in an exodus of users from the platform. One of Musk's biggest changes to how Twitter works is the monetization of the verification check mark. If that sounds unusual, that's because it is. Now anyone can pay their way to becoming verified, making it even harder for other users to distinguish between real and fake profiles.
Mastodon is a free, open-source social network that gives everyone the tools to create their own social platform. Users can run a server based on their own rules and policies. Recently, the platform has gained an influx of new users migrating from Twitter. On social media, there's a high level of trust in a verified check mark given that it is a symbol of proven identity. Mastodon, however, uses verification differently than other platforms.
On some Mastodon servers, it may seem like a user is verified as they will have a blue check or some other ‘verification’ icon next to their username. Do not be fooled – no program or team will grant this mystical feature. It's simple enough that anyone can obtain "verification." Users just need to add the check mark emoji next to their name to instantly get verified. It's mostly for fun, and doesn't serve as a method of authentication. Still, some servers have access eligibility requirements that may ask the user to prove their identity or profession. In that case, it is up to the server's owners to decide how to implement their vetting process.
How Verification Works On Mastodon
On a Mastodon server, the importance of verification depends on the audience. As mentioned above, some servers may vet the credentials of an account before allowing access. The review process could be necessary on a server where experts exchange their research or in any setting where a professional opinion is valuable. The users of these types of servers do not want to have to turn to Google for every post just to verify its legitimacy. Misinformation has always been the ugly face of the internet. With Mastodon, professionals in every corner can create their dedicated social site to have open and honest conversations about their experiences.
On large public platforms like TikTok and Instagram, obtaining a verified check is not always straightforward. Someone could have many followers and still be denied the blue check mark. Other users get verified instantly due to their celebrity status. Mastodon enhances the experience, making it clear that social status within the general population does not matter. Instead, it is left to the admins and their users to act like a community and place their own verified policies on the Mastodon servers they operate.
Source: Mastodon