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Bluesky Basics: Your Intro to the Essentials

by | Friday, December 13th, 2024

Last week, we talked about why X (formerly known as Twitter) is losing users. If you’re thinking about switching platforms, you might want to check out Bluesky, a growing social media network. Let’s break down what Bluesky is and how to get started using it.

What Is Bluesky?

Bluesky is a new platform with a twist. It was started by Jack Dorsey, the guy who created Twitter, as a “decentralized” social network—one that’s not controlled by a single company or person. The idea came up in 2019, and while Twitter funded it at first, Bluesky is now its own thing: a public benefit corporation. This means it’s a for-profit business, but its main focus is on helping society, not just making money.

Jack Dorsey isn’t involved anymore. The company is run by CEO Jay Graber, but according to her, Dorsey was never super hands-on with Bluesky anyway.

How to Join Bluesky

If you’re ready to give Bluesky a try, here’s how to create an account:

  • Go to bsky.app or download the app from your phone’s app store.
  • Hit Sign Up or Create Account (depending on where you’re signing up).
  • Choose Bluesky Social as your hosting provider.
  • Enter your email, birthday, and a password.
  • Pick a username (your handle)—it needs to have at least three characters.
  • Complete the captcha.
  • Add a profile photo or use a simple avatar.

Once you’re signed up, you’ll be asked to pick your interests. This helps Bluesky suggest accounts and content for you to follow.

How to Post on Bluesky

Posting is simple:

  • On the web, click New Post.
  • On the app, tap the big blue button.

You can:

  • Decide who can reply or quote your post.
  • Write up to 300 characters.
  • Add up to four photos or one video (50MB max).
  • Include GIFs via Giphy.
  • Label sensitive or adult content.
  • Once you’re ready, hit Post, and your content is live.

How to Find Accounts and Content

Bluesky’s Discover feed helps you find accounts to follow based on your interests. You can also search for specific people.

Some users share “starter packs,” which are groups of accounts and feeds they recommend. You can follow them all at once or pick and choose.

Staying Safe on Bluesky

One big reason people are leaving X is its lack of moderation. Bluesky gives you more control over your experience:

  • You can block accounts, which means they can’t see your profile, posts, or interact with you in any way.
  • You can mute accounts, words, or even hashtags to filter out content you don’t want to see.
  • Bluesky also lets users create and share “moderation packs.” These are collections of blocked or muted accounts that you can apply all at once.

By default, Bluesky blocks adult and graphic content. You can choose to allow it in your settings if you’re okay with seeing that.

Is Bluesky for You?

If you’re thinking about leaving X, Bluesky might be worth a try. It’s new, but it’s growing quickly and puts a lot of focus on giving users control.

Got questions? Dive in and explore—Bluesky might just be the platform you’re looking for.

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