How to Verify on Bluesky

Getting your account verified on Bluesky works differently than on platforms like Instagram or X (formerly Twitter). There's no application form to prove you're famous or a lengthy review process, instead, verification is open to anyone who owns a custom domain name. This simple, effective system anchors your digital identity to a piece of the internet you control. This guide walks you through exactly how to set up your custom domain as your Bluesky handle, giving you that trusted stamp of authenticity.

So, What Exactly Is Bluesky Verification?

On most social platforms, a verification checkmark is a status symbol given to public figures, celebrities, and major brands. Bluesky flips this idea on its head. Here, verification isn't about being notable - it's about being provably you.

Instead of a blue checkmark, Bluesky verification comes from using a custom domain you own as your user handle. So, instead of being @YourUsername, your handle becomes something like @yourname.com or @yourbrand.biz. This is more than just a cosmetic change, it's a technical link between your Bluesky profile and your website or personal brand. It tells the world that the person or company who owns that domain is the same one running the Bluesky account.

Why does this matter?

• It builds instant trust. A custom domain is a professional asset. It shows you're serious about your online identity and makes it significantly harder for impersonators to copy your profile convincingly.
• It strengthens your brand. Using your domain reinforces your brand identity across all your online properties. It makes your Bluesky profile an official, integrated part of your web presence, just like your website or email address.
• It’s decentralized and accessible. Unlike legacy verification systems that feel arbitrary, Bluesky’s method is open to everyone. If you can own a domain (which costs about $10 a year), you can get verified. This levels the playing field for smaller creators, artists, and businesses who want to establish credibility without needing press clippings or a massive follower count.

Think of it as the difference between a generic @gmail.com email address and a professional @yourcompany.com address. One is fine, but the other carries an inherent level of authority and legitimacy. That’s what a custom domain handle does for you on Bluesky.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Your Custom Domain on Bluesky

The process involves adding a small piece of text (a TXT record) to your domain's DNS settings. It sounds technical, but if you can copy and paste, you can do this. You'll need two things to start:

1. A Bluesky account.
2. A domain name you own and access to its DNS (Domain Name System) settings.

If you don’t own a domain yet, you can buy one from registrars like Namecheap, GoDaddy, Google Domains, or Cloudflare. Once you have those ready, let's get started.

Step 1: Go to Your Bluesky Account Settings

Open the Bluesky app on your phone or log in through your desktop browser. Navigate to your profile settings. You can usually find this by clicking on your profile icon and selecting "Settings" from the dropdown menu. In the "Advanced" section, look for an option that says "Change Handle."

Step 2: Choose the "I have my own domain" Option

Once you click "Change Handle," Bluesky will show you your current handle (e.g., @yourusername.bsky.social). Below this, you'll see a link or button that says something like, “I have my own domain.” Click it.

Now, type in the domain you want to use as your handle and click "Verify Domain." For example, if your website is coolcatart.com, you'd type coolcatart.com here. Bluesky will then generate the unique information you need for the final steps.

Step 3: Copy the Generated DNS Verification Details

Bluesky will display two important pieces of information you'll need to copy. They will be formatted something like this:

• Domain: _atproto.yourdomain.com
• Value: did=did:plc:a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8i9j0k1l2 (your code will be unique)

Keep this tab open. The first part (_atproto) identifies the record as being for the AT Protocol, which Bluesky is built on. The second part is a unique string that links this specific record to your unique Bluesky account ID (your "Decentralized Identifier" or DID).

Step 4: Log in to Your Domain Registrar and Find Your DNS Settings

Now, open a new browser tab and log into the service where you manage your domain (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, etc.). You're looking for a section called "DNS Management," "DNS Settings," or "Advanced DNS." Each registrar’s layout is different, but every one will have a place where you can manage records like TXT, A, and CNAME records.

Once you find your DNS settings page, you'll see a list of your existing DNS records. You are going to add a new one.

Step 5: Create a New TXT Record

Click the "Add Record," "Create New Record," or similar button. You’ll be prompted to choose a record type and fill in a few fields.

Here’s exactly what you need to enter:

1. Record Type: Select TXT from the dropdown list. This is very important. Do not choose A, CNAME, or MX.
2. Host / Name: This is where you paste the first part of the information from Bluesky. You usually just need to enter _atproto.
   Important Note: Most registrars automatically append your domain name (yourdomain.com) to whatever you enter in the Host field. So just type _atproto. If you mistakenly enter the full _atproto.yourdomain.com, it might become _atproto.yourdomain.com.yourdomain.com, which will not work. Keep it simple: just _atproto.
3. Value / Content / Data: This is where you paste the long did=... string that Bluesky gave you. Copy it carefully and paste the entire string into this field.
4. TTL (Time To Live): If you see this option, you can usually leave it on its automatic or default setting (often 1 hour or 3600 seconds). It just tells DNS servers how long to cache the record.

Double-check that you’ve copied everything correctly - a single typo will cause the verification to fail. Once you’re confident, click "Save" or "Add Record."

Step 6: Wait for Your DNS to Update (Propagation)

This is the waiting game. When you add a new DNS record, it isn't live on the internet instantly. It needs to "propagate" across a global network of servers. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, though it’s often closer to 5-15 minutes.

Be patient. Don't immediately assume something is wrong if it doesn't work right away. You can use a free online tool like DNS Checker. Just enter _atproto.yourdomain.com, select TXT as the record type, and see if your new record is showing up around the world.

Step 7: Return to Bluesky and Finalize the Verification

Once you’ve given your DNS record time to propagate (or confirmed it with a tool like DNS Checker), go back to Bluesky where you left off in Step 3.

Click the "Verify DNS Record" button. Bluesky will now check your domain for the TXT record. If it finds the correct record, your handle will instantly change from @yourusername.bsky.social to @yourdomain.com. Congratulations, you're now verified!

Troubleshooting Common Problems

If you click "Verify" and get an error, don't panic. It's almost always one of these four simple issues:

1. The DNS hasn't propagated yet. This is the most common reason for failure. Walk away, make a cup of coffee, and try again in 30 minutes.
2. A typo in the DNS record. Go back to your DNS settings and carefully check the Host and Value fields. Did you miss a character? Is there an extra space before or after the code? Compare it letter-for-letter with what Bluesky provided.
3. Incorrect Host/Name field. Remember the note from Step 5? Check if you entered just _atproto or the full domain. If you're on a subdomain like blog.mydomain.com, the Host field would be _atproto.blog. The rule is to always enter everything before the main domain name.
4. Wrong record type. Double-check that you created a TXT record, not a CNAME, A, or MX record.

Fixing one of these and saving the DNS record will restart the clock on propagation, so you'll have to wait a little bit longer before trying to verify again in Bluesky.

Final Thoughts

Verifying your Bluesky account with a custom domain is a powerfully simple way to establish your identity and build trust with your audience. By linking your profile directly to an asset you own, you go beyond follower counts and checkmarks to create a durable, professional presence that sets you apart from the crowd.

Building that brand trust consistently across every platform - from Bluesky and Threads to Instagram and TikTok - is the foundation of great social media marketing. As your presence grows, managing all those profiles and their unique content needs can get chaotic. At Postbase, we built our tool specifically to solve that problem. Instead of wrestling with outdated tools or jumping between apps, you get a clean, visual plan for all your content and the ability to schedule posts everywhere at once, so your brand message stays sharp and consistent. We created Postbase to feel like a smart assistant, not another chore on your list.