Trust is in short supply online. In a new move to fight misinformation, Reddit has started a limited test of verified profiles, marked by a grey checkmark.

This feature aims to answer a simple question: Is this person who they claim to be? The checkmark will identify experts hosting Q&As, journalists breaking news, or official brands sharing updates.

Unlike some platforms where a checkmark can be bought, Reddit’s grey badge is purely for verification. It’s a voluntary, opt-in system designed to bring back the original purpose of these icons: confirming authenticity.

The company stresses that its culture of pseudonymity remains intact. Most users will chat anonymously as always. Verification is simply a tool for moments where real identity matters.

Even with a full rollout, not every famous user will have a check. Take skate legend Tony Hawk, a casual Redditor who chats with fans in skating forums. His incredible homemade videos might give him away, but he could choose to remain unverified.

Currently, Reddit is hand-picking “active contributors in good standing” and trusted partners for this alpha test. NSFW accounts are not eligible. A verified badge grants no special powers, it only confirms identity.

This test arrives at a telling time. Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian is reviving Digg, another platform concerned about bots. Separately, OpenAI’s Sam Altman is developing “World,” an app to verify human users online.

Clearly, across the tech world, proving you are a real person is becoming the next big challenge. Reddit’s grey checkmark is its latest step into that future.