Bluesky has developed over the years past 15 million users and introduced the traditional features such as direct message forwarding and pinning, and 60-second video uploads. Still, it incorporates some very promising features, which makes the Sheldon platform stand out from the other platforms for social networks. Except for the essential features, there are additional features that enable users to control the experience they obtain, which cannot be done on platforms like X or Threads.
Exploring Bluesky's Unique Features
What highlights the application is that Bluesky has a setting that can allow you to filter out the feed algorithm. This gives a more directed approach over the content delivered through the platform which would not necessarily reflect the interests of all a one size fits all approach would allow. You can have things posted in a more chronological like manner or feed based on the category of interest you have, and you decide.
Another very interesting component is the moderation tools which can be used on Bluesky. This makes the content to be moderated on users own dignity making it a comfortable place for them. It is allowed to decide to omit some words or limit the profiles display, and even disable the possibility to reply to the threads you have opened if you want to stay clean.
To allow users with a personalized and selective feed, Bluesky lets you choose how replies and reposts appear. In the “Following Feed Preferences” you can specify whether you want to make a reply, reposts, reposts in quotes, or just the fresh posts of the people, you are subscribed to. This level of customization assists in making sure that your feed remains as interesting as it could be to you.
Reply threads options in bluesky is also flexible in a unique way. In "Thread Preferences," you can choose how you want replies sorted: in a way that is grouped basing on the newest post first, the oldest, most liked or in a haphazard manner. If you are fine with overviews in a better-organized manner, you can go to the Threaded Mode where each reply is nested on the same line with the quote from the post to which the reply was made in the manner of Reddit.
Unlocking the Power of Custom Feeds on Bluesky
Discover and Popular With Friends are two predefined algorithmic feeds available at Bluesky, but the most exciting part starts with creating individualized feeds. These user generated feeds are very flexible: if you want to track a specific topic or interest, or simply filter your content feed. Whether you wish to follow a certain subject like cat pictures or check how your best posts are doing, you can can with custom feed that Bluesky offers.
To view these custom feeds, begin with the sidebar on the top left hand corner of your screen. From there, click on the Feeds option, through which, you can either look for a particular RSS feed, or browse through the list and come up with one that you would wish to subscribe to. View each feed separately to have the ability to understand what kind of material it shares before subscribing to this feed.
Fortunately, once you have located a feed which can capture of interesting information, it is easy to subscribe to it. At the Feeds page, open the special feed that you want to subscribe to by tapping on three vertical dots near the top right or left corner and then, choosing, ‘Save to my feeds’. It will then rise to the top of your Feeds list in your accounts. Or you can pin a feed to your home screen for convenience by choosing “Pin to Home” on the bottom of the screen.
Bluesky also has starter packs which are just lists of recommended accounts in an organized theme or a specific topic. Of these, several have indeed been established by Bluesky while others are insights initiated by users. These Starter Packs are ideal if you are trying to find new people to follow, if you’re a tech enthusiast, into pop culture, or have a hobby interest.
Another interesting feature is the option to use custom domains for almost handle, as it using in Mastodon’s federation. That is, if you own a domain or if you use something like Threads, you can name your Bluesky handle’s suffix. What you need to know is that as soon as you do this the handle/domain is up for grabs for someone else. Nevertheless, if you used the tag/pri... before, the tags or mentions set before will still lead one to this account, so there will be no interruptions.
Advanced Bluesky Features You Need to Try
To integrate a custom domain you will also add a professional touch to your account from that Bluesky. First, in settings select Change Handle, and put on “I have my own domain.” After you have typed the domain name, paste the required DNS record string, which Bluesky supplies. Go back to your domain registrar service such as GoDaddy, Squarespace and others then include TXT record with Bluesky information as obtained from the previous steps. After saving the record go back to Bluesky and click on “Verify DNS Record” to finish up and get a confirmation banner.
Bluesky also allows you to bookmark your posts as well as platforms like X and Threads do. To pin a post, just go to that post you want to share and click on the three-dot icon below it and click on the option that says, “Pin to your profile.” This makes your favorite or interesting posts always on the pole position of your feed where you can easily locate them.
We coupled Moderation on Bluesky with Labelers, third-party services that can tag content or an account for a specific purpose or reason. These labels can encompass tagging, posts with GIFs, crypto scam accounts, or in general, anything that might trigger PHOBIA. It is also customary to use labels in a more interesting way: indicating pronouns; uniting fans of specific teams; organizing text-based games. Every Labeler has its little guide and while Bluesky does not offer a search for them, there are external sources with reference lists that contain useful Labelers.
It means, after you have subscribed to a Labeler, you can decide how you want to be fed with your labels. The label option enables the user to toggle off the label, show a badge when the label is on or remove the content labeled with it completely. If you ever need to change it there is an option in Settings > Moderation under the Advanced section in Labelers.
For users who require extra security, for example using third party apps, Bluesky provides the chance to create passwords for certain apps. Under Advanced, go to Settings > App Passwords to generate a Password for an app like Graysky that uses API to Bluesky. The last one now offers you the possibility to allow the access to direct messages but, remember, this option cannot be changed any longer. If necessary, clear the password and you can set a new password for the application you want.
