September 19, 2024
Is Bluesky the social media platform of the future? Ever since Elon Musk took over Twitter (now X), many users have been looking for alternatives. While platforms like Mastodon, Post, and Threads have seen some success, Bluesky stands out for its unique approach.
After nearly a year of being an invite-only platform, Bluesky opened its doors to the public in February 2024 and gained a remarkable 800,000 users in one day. By September, the platform had surpassed 9 million users, thanks to Twitter’s ban in Brazil. While it still has a considerable gap to close compared to Threads’ 130 million monthly active users, Bluesky’s growth is certainly impressive.
What is Bluesky and Why is it Different?
Bluesky is a decentralized social networking application that former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey initially conceived. It offers a Twitter-like user interface but includes additional features such as algorithmic election and a federated structure. Built on its own AT protocol, Bluesky is a transparent, open-source project that allows developers outside the company to view and contribute to its development. Although it began as a project within Twitter, Bluesky became an independent entity before changes in Twitter's ownership occurred.
How to Get Started on Bluesky
To join Bluesky, users must create a unique username in the format @username.bsky.social, and they can also choose to use custom domains for their profiles. For example, Code Labs Academy is listed as @clanetworkpt.bsky.social. After signing up, users can post updates (up to 256 characters), share images, and interact with content through replies, reposts, and likes.
Bluesky features a “Discover” tab that curates content and suggests users to follow. New users can use the “Starter Pack” feature, which provides a personalized list of accounts and custom feeds to follow, helping them quickly discover interesting content.
Who’s Joining Bluesky?
Since its wider launch, Bluesky has attracted prominent personalities such as author Neil Gaiman and whistleblower Chelsea Manning. Additionally, major media outlets such as Bloomberg and The Washington Post are now active on the platform. Recently, heads of state have also been allowed to join, further expanding its global reach.
Is Bluesky X’s Alternative?
Bluesky shares many similarities with X (formerly Twitter). It has basic functionalities such as posting, replying, and sending private messages, although direct messaging is only available for one-on-one conversations at the moment. However, unlike X, Bluesky operates on a decentralized model, giving users greater control over their data and interactions on the platform.
Can You Use Bluesky for Free?
Bluesky is free to use and is currently available to everyone. The platform aims to remain free for users, although it does offer optional paid services such as custom domain handles. In July 2024, Bluesky secured further funding to support its operations and growth.
What Makes Bluesky Decentralized?
Bluesky is built on the decentralized AT protocol, which allows users to transfer their profiles, data, and followers between multiple apps that support the same protocol. At present, users can only join the bsky.social network, but the platform aims to grow and allow other independently operated communities to connect through the protocol.
How Secure is Bluesky?
In late 2023, Bluesky took important steps to enhance its security features, including launching email verification for users. Additionally, the platform introduced privacy controls that allow users to opt out of having their posts publicly visible on the web, in response to community feedback.
How Customizable is Bluesky?
In mid-2023, Bluesky launched “custom feeds,” which allow users to customize their experience by subscribing to various algorithms that focus on different types of content. Users can pin these feeds to the top of their timeline for quick access. Additionally, developers have the opportunity to use the AT protocol to build new tools and features. In early 2024, Bluesky started a grant program aimed at supporting developers interested in improving the development of the platform.
Is Bluesky Available Across Devices?
Bluesky is available on iOS and Android devices. It was launched on iOS in early 2024, with the Android version arriving in April of that year. For those who prefer to use a desktop computer, the platform can also be accessed through web browsers.
What Are Bluesky’s Posts Called?
While Bluesky hasn’t given a formal name to its posts, users have taken to calling them “skeets,” a playful combination of “tweet” and “sky.” Despite the term’s popularity, Bluesky leadership, including CEO Jay Graber, have expressed dislike for it.
How Does Bluesky Handle Misinformation?
Bluesky has integrated tools that warn users if links in posts may be misleading or do not match their descriptions. These measures, which began rolling out in late 2023, aim to reduce the spread of misinformation on the platform.
Does Bluesky Have Strong Moderation Features?
Bluesky has taken steps to address user concerns by improving its moderation features. Users can now create lists to block or mute multiple accounts at once, and the platform has introduced automated tools to detect content that violates community guidelines. Additionally, a tool called Ozone, launched in 2024, allows users to set up their moderation services, allowing them to customize their experience on the platform.
Who’s Behind Bluesky?
Bluesky, which was initially funded by Jack Dorsey, has been operating independently since its founding in 2021. Dorsey is no longer part of day-to-day operations and the company is now run by Jay Graber, who has a background in software development and previously founded a digital event planning service.
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