17 Awesome Things You Can On BlueSky

So, I’ve been hearing a lot about BlueSky lately. What’s all the hype about? BlueSky is awesome! It’s this super cool decentralized social platform that gives you way more control over your online experience. There are a ton of things you can do on it. Like, for starters, you can actually customize your feed to fit your preferences better. No more random, irrelevant posts showing up all the time.

In this article, we’re breaking down 17 awesome things you can do on BlueSky that make it stand out from the rest. 

Let’s dive in.....

17 Awesome Things You Can On BlueSky

Whether you’re looking to personalize your profile, join communities, or explore its cutting-edge privacy features, we’ve got you covered.

1. Share a Post

Bluesky allows you to share a post with a character limit of 300. Feel free to share what's on your mind, ask questions, ask for recommendations, share an announcement, and even update your daily life activities with your loved ones.

To post on BlueSky....

• Open the app or website and log in.
• Tap the “Compose” or “Post” button.
• Type your message within the character limit.
• Add media, hashtags, or tag users for more engagement.
• Adjust who can see your post if needed.
• Hit “Post” or “Send,” and you’re done!

The good news here is that you can schedule posts in here, so that your followers keep updated even while you are away. All you need to do is sign up on any of these recommended posts scheduler platform, and you are good to go.

2. Upload Media

You can upload photos, videos, and GIFs to make your posts more engaging and expressive.

To upload media on Bluesky...

Uploading photos, videos, and GIFs on BlueSky is simple. Tap the "Compose" button to create a post, then use the media icon to select and upload your desired files from your device. Once added, you can preview them before posting to share with your followers.

3. Reply to Posts

You can reply to posts from your friends and other BlueSky users. This feature fosters interaction and builds a sense of community.

To reply to posts on BlueSky...

Tap on the post you want to respond to, then select the "Reply" option. Type your response in the text box and hit "Post" to share your reply. Your reply will appear as part of the thread, making it easy to engage in conversations.

4. Repost and Quote Posts

You can amplify interesting content by reposting it directly or adding your commentary using the quote feature. This makes it easy to share perspectives or highlight valuable posts.

To repost and quote posts on Blues

Reposting on BlueSky is simple: click the repost icon (the two arrows under a post) to share it with your followers. To quote a post, select the quote option, add your commentary, and then share it as a combined post. Both features help you engage with content while adding your own comment if desired.

5. Like Posts

You can express appreciation or agreement by liking posts. The like button is always under a post, and it looks like a love emoji. This simple interaction encourages positivity and acknowledgment within the platform.

To like a post, just tap on the Love icon under the post and it will turn pink, indicating that you have liked the post. You can also tap on the same icon to unlike the posts you previously liked.

6. Customize Algorithmic Feeds

On BlueSky, you are the algorithm by yourself....you can customize your algorithmic feed by choosing or creating "custom feeds" tailored to your interests. Navigate to the app's feed selection menu, where you can browse and follow feeds curated by others or build your own using BlueSky’s open protocol. This feature allows you to prioritize specific content or topics, giving you full control over what you see.

Bluesky lets users choose or create custom algorithmic feeds, ensuring the content you see aligns with your preferences and interests.

7. Use Custom Domains

You can personalize your handle with a custom domain name, giving your profile a unique and professional touch.

To set up a custom domain on BlueSky, first, purchase a domain from a registrar of your choice. Then, configure the domain's DNS settings by creating a TXT record with the verification code provided by BlueSky. Finally, enter the domain in your BlueSky account settings, complete the verification process, and your custom domain will be live.

8. Create Moderation Lists

You can maintain a healthy feed by blocking or muting specific accounts or content. This feature helps you to shape your online environment. In case you missed it, I earlier shared this free tutorial on how to see who blocks you on BlueSky.

To set up moderation lists on BlueSky, go to the app's settings and navigate to the moderation or content settings section. Create a new moderation list, specify the types of content or accounts you'd like to moderate, and customize the rules to suit your preferences. Once saved, the list will automatically apply the moderation settings to your feed and interactions.

9. Set Reply Controls

You can choose who should reply to your posts. Options include allowing everyone, followers only, or disabling replies altogether.

To set reply controls on BlueSky, go to the post creation screen and look for the reply control options before posting. Choose who can reply to your post—options typically include "Everyone," "Followers," or "Only You." Once selected, post your content, and the chosen reply setting will apply.

10. Self-Label Posts

You can tag your posts to inform your viewers, especially if the content is sensitive. This ensures transparency and helps users manage their interactions responsibly.

To set self-labels on posts in BlueSky, start by creating or editing the post. Use the label feature to tag your post with predefined labels like "Sensitive" or "NSFW," which help set viewer expectations. Once labeled, the post will display a visual indicator to inform others of its content type.

11. Explore Starter Packs

You can create and join communities that align with your interests. It's like being part of smaller, more focused groups rather than getting lost in the noise. And the best part is that you’re not restricted to just following people – you can follow topics or hashtags too!

This feature allow you to quickly integrate into communities by following groups of related accounts. Starter packs are a great way to discover like-minded users and relevant content.

To explore Starter Packs on BlueSky, go to your profile and click on the Starter Pack option located at the top of your profile. Curated Starter Packs introduce you to popular communities, topics, or features. These packs help you quickly find content and connections aligned with your interests, making it easier to get started. Simply browse, choose a pack, and follow or join the suggested accounts or groups to dive right in.

12. Access Trending Topics

Trending topics let you stay informed with the latest trends. Bluesky highlights popular words or phrases, keeping you in the loop about what’s currently buzzing.

To access trending topics on BlueSky, navigate to the "Discover" tab, which highlights popular conversations and hashtags. BlueSky’s algorithm curates trends based on relevance and activity within your network and the broader platform. You can also customize your feed settings to prioritize trends that align with your interests.

13. Use In-App Media Player

You can play videos and music directly within the platform without needing external apps. This seamless integration enhances user experience.

To use the in-app media player on BlueSky, simply tap on any audio or video file shared in a post. The player opens within the app, allowing you to enjoy media without leaving your feed. You can control playback, adjust volume, and even multitask while browsing other posts.

14. Enable Notifications

You can stay updated with real-time alerts for activities like mentions, likes, replies, and other interactions. Notifications ensure you never miss an important update.

To enable notifications on BlueSky, go to the app's settings and navigate to the "Notifications" section. Customize your preferences for activities like mentions, replies, and follows. Ensure push notifications are enabled for BlueSky in your device settings to stay updated in real-time.

15. Report Posts

You can help maintain community standards by flagging posts or accounts that violate guidelines. Reporting ensures Bluesky remains a safe and respectful space for all users.

To report content on BlueSky, tap the three-dot menu on the post or profile in question and select the "Report" option. Choose the reason for your report, such as spam, harassment, or inappropriate content, and add any additional details if prompted. Once submitted, BlueSky's moderation team will review your report and take appropriate action.

16. Send a DM or Chat on BlueSky 

Just like Facebook, you can also chat on BlueSky. You can send a DM on BlueSky. 

Here's how to chat on BlueSky:

• Open your Bluesky app 
• Tap on Chat
• Tap on New Chat
• Search for a friend's handle starting with @, for instance @james.bsky.social
• Many James will pop up, so check and select the right handle.
• Type your message 
• Click Send
• Your friend will receive the chat immediately and also reply back. 
• To check for new messages, click on CHAT.

Bluesky has introduced chatting, also called direct messaging (DM), which allows you to chat privately with your friends.

BlueSky now supports direct messaging (DM), enabling private conversations between users. 

To send a DM, tap the chat icon, start a new conversation by entering the recipient's username, and type your message. By default, only users you follow can DM you, but privacy settings can be adjusted to allow messages from anyone or disable DMs entirely.

17. Schedule Posts

You can schedule posts on BlueSky now, but you won't see that option in the app because it’s not a built-in feature yet, but you can still schedule posts using third-party tools like Fedica or Buffer. These platforms let you connect your BlueSky account, plan your content ahead of time, and schedule posts to go live whenever you want. For more details, check out this article on our top 4 picks of BlueSky posts schedulers.

I’ve used Buffer and Fedica before for other social platforms, so they work for BlueSky too and it’s super easy to set up. It’s especially helpful if you’re trying to stay active on the platform but don’t have time to post in real time. You can plan out your posts for the week or even longer.  

That’s a game-changer. I love the idea of being able to maintain a presence without having to manually post every single time. Plus, if you’re into analytics, tools like Fedica can give you insights into your engagement and audience, which makes it easier to optimize your posting schedule. It’s like having a mini social media manager for BlueSky.  

Why Bluesky Stands Out

What makes it different from other social media platforms. What’s the big deal? 

Well, for one, BlueSky is decentralized. That means it’s not controlled by a single company, so you have more control over your data and the rules of the platform. It’s actually built on an open-source protocol, which allows different apps and networks to communicate with each other. Pretty cool, right?

You can shape the platform yourself, that’s different from the typical social media model where everything is top-down.

Plus, the platform puts a lot of focus on privacy, which a lot of people appreciate these days. There’s also a lot of transparency around how things like moderation work, and it’s way more user-focused compared to others. It even allows you to customize your feed a lot more.

So it’s not just another copy of Twitter?

Nope, not at all! The whole idea is to give users more power and flexibility, and they’ve really focused on combating things like misinformation without being too overbearing. It’s definitely a step toward a more open and controlled social media space.

FAQs

What about privacy? 

You know, some platforms don’t do a great job with that…BlueSky is way better! You get a lot of privacy control options, like deciding who can see your posts, who can comment, and even who can follow you. Plus, since it’s decentralized, your data isn’t being sold to advertisers like on other platforms.

Can I share media like photos and videos?

Totally! You can post images, videos, and even links, just like any other social platform. Just that you can't edit posts after you publish them, which is not really convenient. And they’ve got a really smooth interface for all that. Sounds like they’ve thought of everything! 

Any unique features?

Definitely! One of my favorites is the ability to mute or block specific keywords. If there’s something you’re not interested in seeing, you can just mute it from your feed. Also, they have this cool feature where you can report content if it violates the guidelines, and their moderation is pretty transparent.

Is customization allowed?

Yes....you can even customize your profile layout, the colors, and how everything looks. It gives you a lot of room to make it feel like your own space. And if you’re into tech, it’s built on an open-source protocol, so you can see how everything works behind the scenes.

They have great tools for content discovery too. You can explore different topics or trends based on what others are posting, and you can even interact with posts without following someone directly. It’s a nice change from being forced to follow just to engage.

There’s so much to do, and everything feels more personalized. If you’re tired of traditional social media, BlueSky is definitely worth checking out.

Ready to join? Explore Bluesky and see how these features can transform your social media experience!

Did I missed anything? feel free to add them in the comment section below, and also share this article on your social media pages.