Reddit has officially started testing verified profiles, a new feature designed to help users confirm their identity and strengthen credibility on the platform. The move marks one of Reddit’s most significant steps toward improving trust and preventing impersonation—an issue that has grown alongside the platform’s expanding global user base and increasing presence of public figures, brands, and experts.
🛡️ Aim: Curb Impersonation and Enhance Trust
According to early details, the verification system will grant qualifying users an official badge next to their profile name. Reddit says the feature is intended to give communities greater confidence in the authenticity of users posting specialized information, running AMAs, or representing organizations. The company notes that the test is part of “a long-term effort to make Reddit safer and more transparent.”
📌 Who Gets Access? Limited Rollout for Now
The verification option is currently available only to a small group of users, including select high-profile contributors, public figures, and accounts with meaningful community impact. Reddit plans to monitor feedback during the test phase before expanding access. Unlike some platforms, the badge is strictly for confirming identity—not for monetization or premium subscription benefits.
💬 Community Reaction: Cautious Optimism
Initial reactions from Reddit’s vast moderator ecosystem have been cautiously positive. Many moderators welcome the feature as a tool to prevent misinformation and false claims of expertise. However, some users have raised questions about privacy and the data Reddit will collect to perform identity checks. The company assures that participation is voluntary and that verification data will be handled securely.
🌐 Aligning With Industry Trends
Reddit’s decision mirrors broader industry shifts. Major platforms—from X to Instagram to YouTube—are increasingly offering verification options as part of their trust and safety strategies. With Reddit preparing for ongoing platform modernization and expanding partnerships with AI companies, verified identities may also play a role in future features.
🚀 What’s Next?
If user feedback remains positive, Reddit is expected to scale the verification feature in phases. The company says it will refine requirements, user eligibility, and badge visibility based on test results. While not yet a platform-wide update, the pilot signals Reddit’s growing focus on creating a safer and more transparent environment for its hundreds of millions of users.