Last updated on September 25th, 2024 at 10:56 am
Ever since Elon Musk bought Twitter, which is now called X, many users are moving to other platforms like Mastodon, Meta’s Threads, Post and Spill. Bluesky, which used to be an invite-only platform, recently opened to everyone. It now has more than 4.1 million users. Despite this growth, Bluesky still has fewer users as of today, as compared to Threads, which has more than 160 million users as of April 2024. However, well-known figures such as Chelsea Manning, Neil Gaiman and Dril have migrated to Bluesky, while big organisations like Engadget, The Washington Post and Bloomberg have also set up accounts on Bluesky. With it openly available to the public now, more influencers might move over the Bluesky too. As Bluesky continues to gain traction, it will be interesting to see how it competes with established social media giants and how its unique features shape the future of social media.
In this guide, I will uncover the unique features, benefits, and user experience of each component of Bluesky, and show you how you can use it to make an informed choice in your social networking journey. Whether you’re seeking a new social media platform to promote your brand or exploring the latest networking tools, this comprehensive guide will provide valuable insights to help you navigate the world of this new social app.
What Is Bluesky?
Bluesky, also known as Bluesky Social, is a microblogging and social app created by ex-Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. It was said that Dorsey, then CEO of Twitter, introduced the Bluesky project in 2019, with the idea that Twitter would finance a small team to create an open-source standard for social media decentralisation, with the aim for Twitter to eventually adopt it. After Elon Musk acquired Twitter, Bluesky became completely separated from Twitter and was officially launched in 2023, providing a space for genuine networking and connection for both businesses and individuals. Currently, Jay Graber is the company’s CEO and Dorsey and XMPP creator Jeremie Miller are on its board of directors.
Brief History and Background
The concept of Bluesky originated as a response to the evolving landscape of social media and the need for a platform that prioritises informed decision-making and constructive interactions. With a team of experienced developers and industry experts, Bluesky was launched to address the growing demand for a more purposeful and reliable social networking experience.
Decentalisation
Bluesky looks like Twitter, with customisable algorithms and community-based moderation. It’s built on their own open-source AT Protocol, so anyone can see how it works and what’s coming up.
The team plans for the new social app to be federated, which means that individually operated communities can exist within the open source network. This means that if an individual developer built their own social app using the AT Protocol, Bluesky users can use the new app and transfer their existing followers over, with the same handle and data.
The Bluesky Social App
The Bluesky app is available on the Android and Apple app stores. You can also access its web platform, reading and writing posts on your browser like Google Chrome. Both its mobile app and web interface are well-designed, and you can quickly access your feeds, notifications, profile and search options.
Community and Informed Decision-Making
The Bluesky network allows users to build and maintain meaningful connections, providing opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing, and collaborative projects, creating a dynamic environment for engagement and interaction. The social app’s emphasis on community-driven insights and reliable content sets it apart as a valuable resource for users seeking to make well-informed choices too.
Features and Functionality
The Bluesky platform boasts a range of unique features designed to promote informed decision-making. These include curated content from reputable sources, fact-checking tools, and collaborative discussion forums. The app also integrates user feedback and community input to enhance the quality and relevance of the information shared.
User Interface and Navigation
The app’s user interface is intuitive and user-friendly, allowing for seamless navigation and effortless access to its features. The design prioritises clarity and functionality, ensuring that users can easily engage with content and participate in discussions.
When you join, you can create a handle like @username.bsky.social and a bold display name. For instance, I’m @beithoven.bsky.social on Bluesky. You can add me there using this username.
You can even use your own domain name such as that for your website as your username by customising and verifying your identity on Bluesky and linking it to your existing website. This is a great way to prove who you are and keep your identity consistent across Bluesky.
Posts and Feed
The app works like a basic Twitter. You can create posts up to 300 characters with photos. You can reply, retweet, like, report, share to other apps, or copy posts as text. Internet users have been referring to the posts on Bluesky as “skeets”, a slang for “tweet” and “sky”, although Bluesky and the team do not find the slang amusing.
Bluesky features a “Following” feed for accounts you follow and a personalised “Discover” feed with trending posts for you to explore, and also more people for you to follow. You can also explore specific categories such as travel, food, fashion, and more. This allows you to easily find content that aligns with your interests and hobbies. The “Discover” feature is especially useful for discovering new accounts and trending topics, keeping you up to date with the latest content on the platform.
Furthermore, the “For You” section provides personalised recommendations based on your activity and interactions, ensuring that you are constantly discovering new and engaging content. There is also a “Popular with Friends” feed that shows you the posts that are popular among the accounts you follow.
You can discover additional new feeds by going to the “My Feeds” section and tapping the Gear icon. Scroll down to explore more feeds, then tap the Pin icon to add it to your main feeds page.
Search Tool
The search tool in Bluesky can locate both accounts and posts. Within the Bluesky app or Bluesky web application, simply choose the Search option and enter your search term. You’ll then be able to navigate between posts and users in the search results, depending on your preferences.
If you are looking for a specific user, you can enter their username in the search bar to find their profile. Alternatively, if you are interested in finding posts related to a certain topic, you can enter keywords or hashtags to discover relevant content. The search tool in Bluesky is designed to help you easily find the information or users you are looking for, making it convenient to connect with others and stay updated on the latest discussions. Whether you are a new user or a seasoned member of the Bluesky community, the search feature is a valuable tool for exploring and engaging with the platform.
Customisation
Bluesky has custom feeds that allow users to subscribe to many different algorithms that showcase different types of posts a user want to see. You can pin the feeds and they will be displayed on top of your timeline, under “My Feeds.”
Bluesky introduced the “AT Protocol Grants” programme in early 2024, which offers grants to developers to encourage growth and customisation. One recipient SkyFeed is a custom tool that allows users to create personalised feeds through a simple graphical interface. The SkyFeed tool has gained popularity among users for its intuitive design and ability to curate content based on individual preferences. Its seamless integration with various social media platforms and news sources has made it a valuable asset for users seeking a tailored content experience. The AT Protocol Grants programme has been instrumental in supporting the development and success of innovative tools like SkyFeed, contributing to the overall growth and diversity of the digital ecosystem. As Bluesky continues to invest in the AT Protocol Grants programme, we anticipate further advancements in customised digital tools that enhance user experiences and drive engagement.
Moderation
Bluesky prioritises user privacy and data security, implementing robust measures to protect user information and interactions. The network offers users control over their personal information and interactions, ensuring a safe and secure environment for networking and collaboration. For example, you can decide which type of content you want to allow or block. There is a switch for adult content which you can choose to hide, warn, or show specifc content like nudity, hate group iconography, spam, and impersonated accounts.
Bluesky has introduced filters to identity content that goes against its Community Guidelines, which will also be checked by the moderation team. There are also moderation features to mute or block multiple users together.
Work in process is a feature that allows users to limit who can reply to posts. Recently in March 2024, Bluesky just launched Ozone, a tool which allows users full control to create and manage their own moderation services.
Bluesky and Mastodon
- Bluesky is often considered to be more user-friendly because the sign-up process for Mastodon is initially quite complicated due to its multi-server environment because newcomers to Mastodon may face challenges in selecting a server to join.
- The ease of navigation on Bluesky makes it more accessible for newcomers to engage in discussions and connect with other users. The welcoming atmosphere on Bluesky also encourages open participation and collaboration, which contrasts with the protective nature of established users on Mastodon. As a result, many users have found Bluesky to be a more inclusive and inviting platform for social interaction.
Bluesky and Threads By Meta
- conversations and integrates with Facebook.
- Bluesky operates independently, and is built on an open-source framework, fostering transparency and user input for improvements. It facilitates integration with third-party apps and collects limited user data aimed at enhancing the user experience. In contrast, Threads by Meta has strict rules on app interaction and Meta governs user data entirely, exerting total control over the platform’s rules and data usage.
Bluesky and Twitter (X)
- Users on both Bluesky and Twitter (X) can share short texts, photo updates, or replies, and repost other users’ content.
- While both platforms facilitate sharing short posts, Bluesky emphasises openness and transparency, encouraging user input and integration with third-party apps. In contrast, Twitter (X) has faced criticism for its handling of user data and content moderation, raising concerns about privacy and security.
- As of now, Bluesky lacks certain features compared to Twitter (X), such as direct messaging.
- Unlike Twitter (X)’s centralised app, Bluesky is based on a decentralised protocol.
- Monetisation on Bluesky comes from a paid custom domain plan rather than advertising, distinguishing it from Twitter (X).
- Notably, Bluesky offers content filtering, allowing users to hide or warn about specific content, a feature not found on Twitter (X).
While Bluesky, Mastodon, Threads and Twitter (X) all provide unique communication features, the differences in their approach to different features and governance highlight the varying priorities and values of each platform.
Conclusion
Bluesky presents a compelling proposition for users seeking a social networking platform that prioritises informed decision-making, and meaningful connections and conversations. With its unique features, user-friendly interface, and commitment to user privacy, Bluesky offers a valuable alternative to traditional social media platforms.
With its focus on customisation, moderation, and user privacy, Bluesky provides a refreshing and secure environment for social networking. The platform’s commitment to empowering users with control over their interactions and content consumption also sets it apart from other social media platforms. I would encourage you to explore Bluesky and experience the benefits of a social app that’s tailored to prioritise user experience and safety, and watch how it can benefit your business and brand.
Get Started Here!
If you’re having trouble getting started on Bluesky social, please contact me at +65-9622-8824 or bei@beithoven.com, and let’s discuss how I can help you.
Bei, a bilingual (English/Chinese) Singapore content strategist, has over 20 years of experience in marketing for small businesses. She mostly writes about China marketing (Chinese market marketing), content marketing, SEO, GenAI, metaverses, and social media.