What is Bluesky?
Bluesky is a microblogging social media service where users can share short posts containing text, images, and videos. It is owned by Bluesky Social PBC, a benefit corporation based in the United States. Built on the AT Protocol, Bluesky supports self-hosting and allows users to manage their data, ensuring greater flexibility and ownership.
As of 2025, Bluesky boasts over 28 million active users. Led by CEO Jay Graber, the company focuses on expanding its features and delivering greater user autonomy in the social media space.
Bluesky features to keep an eye on
TL;DR: Bluesky allows you to personalize your profile by using a custom domain as your username, making your handle unique. You can create feeds tailored to specific topics, filter and organize content, and manage posts with options to hide or report them.
Interaction features include tagging users, using hashtags, and sending private messages. Additionally, you can organize the accounts you follow into lists to create feeds organized and focused on specific interests.
Bluesky’s best features include:
- Custom domains
- Custom feeds
- Labeling
- Moderation filters
- Review and report
- Hide post
- Mentions
- Hashtags
- In-app media player
- Direct messaging
- Notifications
- Starter packs
- Reply controls
- Emoji picker
- Lists
1. Custom domains
Custom domains on Bluesky let you connect your profile to a domain name you own, like yourname.com or yourbusiness.org. This is a way to verify your account and let people know it’s your official profile.
To set it up, go to Bluesky Settings on the web app or mobile app, find the Account Settings section, and look for the domain setup option. You’ll need to own a domain first (something you can register through various third-party apps or services).
Want a step-by-step guide? Check out this article on setting up a custom domain on Bluesky for more details.
Once connected, your domain will be displayed as part of your username. This feature also works well with social media apps that recognize domain-based profiles, such as Mastodon, keeping your handle consistent across platforms.
2. Custom feeds
Custom feeds, or feed generators, let you create personalized timelines tailored to your interests. Whether you want an algorithmic “For You” page, a feed of cat photos, or a community-specific timeline, custom feeds give you control over what you see.
Unlike traditional social media platforms with typical algorithmic feeds, Bluesky allows users to subscribe to existing custom feeds or create their own. To explore available feeds, go to the Explore section in the app. Examples include curated feeds like the Science Feed, showcasing posts from science communicators, or Follower Feeds, tailored to your followers’ content.
For advanced users, creating a custom feed requires technical steps, such as hosting a feed generator on the AT Protocol. This involves setting up an algorithm, publishing the feed, and making it available to subscribers. If you’re interested in creating your own feed generator, check out Bluesky’s starter template for guidance.
Custom feeds offer an innovative way to curate content, making your Bluesky experience more relevant and engaging.
3. Labeling
Bluesky’s labeling feature allows users to categorize their posts by adding labels manually when sharing content, like images or videos. These labels help describe the post’s context, making it easier for others to find relevant content or understand its purpose.
Labels also play a role in moderation. For example, they can flag sensitive or specific types of content, helping users filter what appears in their feeds.
While users can add their own labels, such as adult content or graphic media, some may also be applied automatically as part of Bluesky’s moderation system.
4. Moderation filters
Let’s face it: not all content online is welcome. Bluesky’s moderation settings are here to help you set boundaries and keep your feed clean. With these filters, you can choose what types of posts, words, or even users you want to avoid. It’s your feed, your rules.
It’s also a way to make your experience more focused and enjoyable. For example, you can filter out irrelevant discussions or mute topics you’re not interested in.
Setting up moderation filters is simple:
- Log into the app and navigate to the Settings section.
- From there, tap on Moderation to access the available options.
- Adjust your preferences to filter out topics, mute users, or customize your feed based on your needs.
5. Review and report
Bluesky takes community safety seriously, and the review and report feature plays a big role in that. If you come across a post that violates community guidelines or just feels off, you can report it directly within the platform. From there, Bluesky’s moderation team will review the flagged content and take action if necessary.
This feature empowers users to help maintain a respectful and engaging environment. It’s easy to use, too. To report a post, tap the three dots at the bottom right of the post, select “Report,” choose a reason from the list, and submit it.
6. Hide post
Sometimes, you just don’t want to see certain posts cluttering up your feed. Bluesky’s “Hide Post” feature gives you the ability to remove individual posts from your timeline without unfollowing or blocking the person who posted them. It’s a subtle but effective method to curate what you see without causing any drama.
To hide a post, tap the three dots at the bottom right of the post and select the “Hide” option. You can continue enjoying content from the same user without being distracted by posts that don’t resonate with you.
7. Mentions
Mentions are how Bluesky keeps conversations flowing. When someone tags you in a post, you’ll get a notification, making it easy to jump into the discussion. Whether it’s a shoutout, a question, or part of a larger thread, mentions ensure you’re always in the loop.
You can also use mentions to bring others into your conversations. Tagging friends, collaborators, or brands is a great way to share ideas or get feedback. Just use the “@” symbol followed by the username.
8. Hashtags
Hashtags help you categorize and discover posts on Bluesky. By adding hashtags to your posts, you make it easier for others to find your content, whether it’s about a trending topic or a niche interest.
To use hashtags, simply include the “#” symbol followed by a keyword when creating your post.
For example, typing #BlueskyTips will group your post with others using the same one. Hashtags are also clickable, so if you see one in a post, you can tap on it to explore other content using the same hashtag.
You can find posts with specific hashtags by searching for them in the search bar, making it simple to connect with other users or explore popular trends.
