What is Bluesky Social and How is It Different?

By Umut Canbolat • Sep 12, 2024

Bluesky Social Logo

Bluesky Social is a platform launched in 2021 by Jack Dorsey, the former CEO and co-founder of Twitter. At first glance, it looks and feels like X (formerly Twitter), with users microblogging and sharing thoughts. However, its foundation is more liberal than popular platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or X.

Bluesky is designed to give users more control over their data and experience. It moves away from the traditional centralized social network model, focusing on decentralization and user control.

How It Works

Bluesky is built on an open-source protocol called the AT Protocol, which grants users greater control over their data. Without delving too deep into technical details, here’s a simple analogy:

Imagine the AT Protocol as the email system—a set of rules and standards that make communication happen. Bluesky, in this analogy, acts like an email provider (such as Yahoo or Gmail), offering an interface for engagement.

Here’s how the analogy fits:

  • AT Protocol (like email standards): Just like email relies on standards (SMTP, IMAP, POP) for communication across services, the AT Protocol defines how social interactions happen within a decentralized network. It handles data, authentication, and identity across services adopting it.

  • Bluesky (like an email provider): Bluesky, like Yahoo Mail, simplifies access to the AT Protocol, managing user accounts, posts, and interactions. Similarly, just as you have different email providers (e.g., Gmail, Outlook), there could be different apps or servers using the AT Protocol. In the future, there may be alternative services using this protocol, and Bluesky users can interact with them.

  • Decentralized Network (like the email system): Like emailing from Yahoo to Gmail, Bluesky users can connect with users on other platforms using the AT Protocol. You can follow someone from a different platform, and they can follow you back, regardless of the app you’re using. Anyone can theoretically host their own server with the AT Protocol, choosing where their data is stored—much like setting up an email server. All these services can communicate and exchange information.

Key Features of Bluesky Social

1. Decentralization

Bluesky embraces decentralization. However,

It’s not a blockchain nor does it use a blockchain.

Decentralization here means users control how their data is hosted. This enhances privacy and prevents a single entity from dominating the platform.

Similar to the email analogy, you can choose your provider and move your data between them. Bluesky allows you to shift your account and data between hosts without losing followers or content.

2. Filtering, Moderation, and Algorithms

On many platforms, algorithms control the content on your feed, often leading to a less personalized experience.

Bluesky offers greater user control, letting you decide which algorithms shape your feed. You can create custom feeds based on your preferences and share them with others.

Here are some example feeds shared by Bluesky users or the team:

3. Username Ownership: Handle as a Domain Name

Bluesky uses a unique approach to usernames. Every user handle in AT Protocol is a valid domain name, like instantusername.com.

Here is how our handle appears on a Bluesky link: https://bsky.app/profile/instantusername.com

For users without a domain, Bluesky assigns a subdomain under bsky.social (e.g., yourname.bsky.social). This assigned handle serves two purposes:

  1. It acts as your unique identifier within the Bluesky network.
  2. It can be used to directly access your profile.

For example, if a user’s handle is zuck.bsky.social, you can visit their profile by simply entering this URL in your browser:

https://zuck.bsky.social

This system ensures your username is portable and easy to remember, offering a new level of control over your online identity.

4. User Interface

If you’ve used X (formerly Twitter), Bluesky will feel familiar. The app has a similar layout, with a timeline of posts, likes, reposts, and follows. You can post text, images, videos (recently added as of September 2024), and links, and interact with other users through comments and direct messages.

5. Open Source

Bluesky and the AT Protocol are both open source, meaning their code is publicly available for anyone to review, contribute to, or improve. This ensures transparency and fosters innovation from the community.

Final Thoughts

Bluesky Social is changing the game by prioritizing decentralization, user control, and privacy. With a user-friendly interface similar to X and the innovative AT Protocol, it offers a refreshing alternative to traditional social media platforms. Plus, its open-source nature and contributions from developers worldwide make it a promising player in decentralized social networks.

Whether you’re interested in more privacy, flexibility, or simply curious about the future of social media, Bluesky is worth keeping an eye on.

If you’re already on Bluesky or planning to join, feel free to follow us for more updates and discussions on decentralized social media!

Follow us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/instantusername.com

Stay tuned for more updates and guides on social media and tech!