Social media has changed immensely over the years from simple networking sites to extremely complex platforms with an emphasis on advertisements and algorithms. Nevertheless, interests in decentralized alternatives have been growing because of the concerns about content moderation, algorithmic bias, and platform control. 

One of the platforms that offers a fresh take on microblogging is Bluesky, which supports user control, transparency, and decentralization. Bluesky was originally an inner Twitter project, but it’s grown up and become an independent, currently popular platform for those concerned with a more open and flexible social experience.

What is Bluesky Social Media?

Bluesky is a decentralized microblogging platform where you are free to write short posts in English with images, and videos. It was built to provide greater autonomy to users by enabling them to choose how their feed works and how content is moderated. Unlike other social networks that are dependent on proprietary algorithms, Bluesky works on an open protocol which allows various applications to work synchronously.

History and Background

In 2019, former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey came up with the idea of Bluesky as a research project to create a Decentralized Social Media Internet. The aim was to facilitate for the users to have more control over their online interaction and data. By 2021, Bluesky grew to become an independent company from Twitter.

The platform went viral after being released as an invite-only service in February 2023. The need for the service is on the rise, therefore it opened public registrations in February 2024. By that time Bluesky had 20 million users by November 2024, and around 30 million users by January 2025. Bluesky’s rapid growth has made it a strong base against the incumbents of the social media giants, like X (formerly Twitter).

Key Features of Bluesky

Bluesky offers several innovative features that let users be empowered and give them a unique social media experience, which sets it apart from other social networks.

1. Decentralized and Open-Source Protocol

The AT Protocol (Authenticated Transfer Protocol) is an open and decentralized protocol behind Bluesky. With this, users can simply stick their accounts, posts and data onto compatible social media platforms without the hassle of migrating them manually as it is required on traditional networks.

2. Customizable Algorithmic Feeds

Bluesky, one of its standout offerings, is giving users the choice or the ability to create in the algorithmic feeds. Bluesky is different from X, which controls its recommendation algorithm, while Bluesky is a “marketplace of algorithms” that allows users to choose what kind of algorithms would rank and display content in their feeds.

3. Domain Name-Based Handles

Users can set up custom domain names as their handles, such as @yourname.com, which improves identity verification and personalization. And the proof of domain ownership requires the use of the AT Protocol.

4. User-Managed Moderation

Decentralized moderation features are also provided by Bluesky, the ability of users to filter, block, label content according to their preferences. Whereas in X, moderation is mainly governed by the platform itself.

5. Starter Packs for New Users

Bluesky offers curated sets of accounts, known as Starter packs, to help new users get started. With these packs, users can immediately follow people that share interests, in turn making it much easier to be attracted to the content.

6. Ad-Free Experience

Bluesky differs from X, an app that heavily relies on advertisements, to the point where it is ad-free and users’ interactions do not have to be interrupted by promotional content.

How to Use Bluesky Social Media?

Bluesky is simple and easy to use. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to get started:

1. Setting Up an Account

• Go to the Bluesky website or the app from the App Store or Google Play.

• Sign up and type in your email, password, and date of birth.

• Enter a username that appears to the world as @yourname.bsky.social.

• Please enter the confirmation code received in your inbox and verify your email.

• Customize recommendations by uploading a profile picture and choosing interests.

2. Exploring the Platform

• Posting: Users can upload up to 300 characters of text, images, GIFs, and short videos (up to 60 seconds) to post.

• Engagement: Users can like, comment, repost, and quote posts.

• Feed: Bluesky provides ‘Home’ feeds to follow accounts and ‘Discover’ feeds for trending content. Users also can create custom feeds.

3. Advanced Features

Custom Domains: With DNS records in a user’s domain manager, Custom Domain can set up a custom domain handle.

Starter Packs: Follow curated groups of accounts for quick growth networks.

Moderation tools: Use filtering options provided by moderation tools to control the feed and filter out junk content of the feed you follow.

Is Bluesky Similar to X (Twitter)?

Bluesky shares similarities with X in terms of functionality but differs in fundamental ways:

X stands in contrast to what Bluesky does, which is decentralized, user-centric, compared to its centralized, ad-driven model that many users would opt out of and instead prefer a more user-centric platform like Bluesky to have control over their experience.

Challenges and Future Outlook

Bluesky has grown very quickly, but since it still has challenges:

• Competing with Established Giants: It lacks the mainstream reach of X or Meta platforms.

• Moderation and Scaling: Decentralized moderation can lack consistency of content regulation.

• Monetization: Bluesky is ad free as of now. But later, there will be a need to find alternative models to allow the project to continue.

Conclusion

In this we’ve clearly defined What Is Bluesky Social Media? And all of its features. Compared to other social media, Bluesky is a bold move towards decentralization, user control and customization. Including its open source base, ad-free model, and unique features, it is a compelling alternative to X as well as other conventional platforms. Although there are still hurdles, Bluesky’s rapid rise and community-first process has helped it become a platform worth keeping your eye on in an ever-changing digital realm. Whether it can redefine social media or remain a niche alternative will depend on how it continues to develop in the coming years.