Music streaming platform SoundCloud has introduced a new feature: blue check mark verification badges. The badges will now appear on verified artist profiles and in searches.
SoundCloud has already verified eight of the platform’s most streamed artists, including Billie Eilish, Wiz Khalifa, and Trippie Redd.
In a blog post, SoundCloud announced that the new check mark feature was launched in an attempt “to help well-known artists stand out and maintain their authenticity, and to help listeners identify these artists more easily.”
Previously, there was confusion amongst users who mistook the orange star badge that identifies SoundCloud Pro subscribers for an artist verification badge. Consequently, many imitation profiles were mistaken for verified artist profiles. The company expects that the new blue check mark badges “will help eliminate that confusion.”
The current criteria for applying for a blue verification badge requires that the artist profile be maintained by a “well-known and/or highly searched-for artist, record label, collective, or curator. Obviously, that implies that the profile must also be unique, and not that of an impersonator or fan page.
The user must also adhere to all SoundCloud terms of service, and the profile requesting verification cannot contain any misleading information. It must have at least one track uploaded, and contain a bio and profile photo.
“We’re excited to continue supporting our community and to help well-known artists stand out on our platform,” SoundCloud continued in the blog post. “Thanks for keeping it real with us.”
To learn more, check out SoundCloud’s blog post.
