What Is Bluesky?
Bluesky is a new social media platform that’s been getting a lot of attention lately. If you’ve heard people talking about it online or seen friends sharing invites, you might wonder: What exactly is Bluesky? Let’s break it down in simple terms.
The Basics of Bluesky
Bluesky is a social media app where people can share posts, follow others and join conversations, kind of like Twitter or Instagram. But what makes Bluesky different? It’s built on something called the “AT Protocol,” which lets users have more control over their experience. Instead of one company deciding the rules for everyone, Bluesky allows communities to create their own spaces with their own guidelines.
How Did Bluesky Start?
Bluesky began as an idea from Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter. In 2019, he wanted to create a social media platform that wasn’t controlled by a single company. By 2023, Bluesky launched in beta (a test version) and started letting people join with invite codes. Fast-forward to 2024-2025, and Bluesky has grown into a popular platform with millions of users. Many people are switching to Bluesky because they like its focus on privacy, customization and freedom.
How Does Bluesky Work?
When you join Bluesky, you’ll notice it looks familiar. You can post short messages (called “skeets”), reply to others and share photos or videos. But here’s the cool part: Bluesky uses something called “decentralization.” This means the app isn’t run by one central server. Instead, users can create or join different “communities” with their own moderators and rules. For example, a cooking group might have strict rules about staying on-topic while a meme group could be more relaxed.
Another big feature is the algorithm. On most apps, the platform decides what you see. But Bluesky lets you choose your algorithm or even create your own. If you want to see more cat videos or science news, you can adjust your settings to make that happen.
Why Are People Excited About Bluesky?
Bluesky is popular for a few reasons:
- Unlike other platforms, Bluesky doesn’t show ads. This makes the experience feel less cluttered.
- Bluesky doesn’t track your activity to sell data to advertisers.
- Users love being able to tweak their feeds and join communities that match their interests.
In 2024, Bluesky also added new features like longer video uploads and group chats, which made it even more appealing.
What’s Next for Bluesky?
Bluesky’s team has big plans. In late 2024, they announced they will open the platform to everyone (no more invite codes!) by early 2025. They’re also working on tools to help users build their own mini-apps inside Bluesky. Imagine creating a space just for your school club or fan group!
How Can You Join Bluesky?
Right now, Bluesky is still invite-only, but you can ask a friend for a code or sign up for the waitlist on their website. Once you’re in, you’ll get a few invite codes to share with others.
FAQs
What makes Bluesky different from Twitter?
Bluesky is decentralized, meaning users have more control over their feeds and communities. It also doesn’t have ads yet.
Is Bluesky free to use?
Yes! Bluesky is free, but you might need an invite code to join during the beta phase.
Can I use Bluesky on my phone?
Absolutely! Bluesky has apps for iOS and Android.
