Rel=me Verification
rel=“me”
rel="me" is an HTML element and microformat. it is a link relationship attribute that is used to indicate that the linked resource represents the same person or entity as the current page. It has been commonly used in web identity systems to associate multiple profiles, websites, or accounts controlled by a single individual.
Overview
The rel="me" keyword is part of the HTML rel attribute, which defines the relationship between linked resources. The me relation specifically signals identity ownnership, indicating that both the current page and the linked page represent and are controlled by the same entity. As MSDN documents it:
"The me keyword for the rel attribute of the <link> and <a> elements indicates that the current resource is represented by the linked party."
The attribute was introduced in the XHTML Friends Network (XFN), a microformat designed to express relationships between people and web resources.
When used between two pages that link to each other, rel="me" can provide a form of distributed identity verification.
Browser Compatablity
As MSDN documents, "Browser compatibility is irrelevant because rel="me" is used by web services and not by browsers."
Technical details
The attribute is applied to hyperlinks or link elements:
<a href="https://example.com" rel="me">Profile</a>
Systems that rely on rel="me" for identity verification typically require:
- A reciprocal link between two resources
- Public accessibility of both web pages
- Inclusion of the rel="me" attribute in the HTML markup
- Any such link must not be within an iframe HTML tag. An iframe effectively means the link is no longer on the same web page, but rather it is on some external web page which is being embedded in the current one.
These reciprocal links allow automated systems to confirm that both resources are controlled by the same entity.
Use in identity verification
The rel="me" attribute is used in decentralized identity verification systems to demonstrate control over multiple web identities without needing to rely on any centralized authority.
Mastodon Example
A prominent example is its use in Mastodon and other federated social platforms. Mastodon enables users to verify ownership of an external website by creating reciprocal links between the site and their profile using rel="me". As they describe their implementation:
"Mastodon checks if that link resolves to a web page that links back to your Mastodon profile with a special
rel=meattribute. If so, you get a verification checkmark next to that link, since you are confirmed as the owner. Likewise, Mastodon putsrel="me"on the links within profile metadata."
In this model:
- A website includes a link to a Mastodon profile with rel="me"
- The Mastodon profile links back to the website
- The platform detects the bidirectional relationship and confirms identity, and includes a green "verified" check mark on the users prolfie thoughoout the Mastodon UX where their profile appears, and also on any rel-me verfied links in their profile page.
This approach verifies control over both resources rather than relying on document-based or platform-issued credentials.
Adoption and ecosystem
Use of rel="me" is most common in decentralized and open web ecosystems, but is supported in platform such as:
- Social networks such as Mastodon, Flipboard, Medium, Pixelfed and Threads.
- IndieWeb identity and authentication systems, including Automtaic's Gravatar
- Github supports this in their profile system.
- Wikipedia itself uses rel=me for its user pages and Wikimedia documents that support via their rel-me extension
- Websites publising services such as Micro.blog support this as does Wordpress.com.
Within the IndieWeb ecosystem, rel="me" is a core component of identity linking and authentication systems, including IndieAuth, where it is used to associate multiple URLs with a single identity.
See also
References
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTML/Reference/Attributes/rel/me
https://microformats.org/wiki/rel-me
https://support.gravatar.com/your-profile/verified-accounts/
https://www.gmpg.org/xfn/11#me
https://techcrunch.com/2023/08/09/meta-adds-ability-to-verify-your-threads-profile-on-mastodon/
https://www.threads.com/@mosseri/post/Cvu2fDiLZve
https://support.gravatar.com/your-profile/verified-accounts/
https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:RealMe
https://help.micro.blog/t/web-site-verification/89
https://wordpress.com/plugins/author-rel-me-link
This article "Rel=me Verification" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Rel=me Verification. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
