Introducing a revolutionary feature that allows users to curate their content.
Bluesky, the emerging Twitter alternative, has introduced a groundbreaking feature called “custom feeds,” empowering users to take charge of their social media experience. This innovative addition allows users to subscribe to feeds tailored to their preferences, offering a refreshing alternative to Bluesky’s main “What’s Hot” feed.
Tailored Content at Your Fingertips: Bluesky’s Custom Feeds
Bluesky has recently unveiled an exciting feature called “custom feeds,” which gives users the ability to customize their social media experience like never before. With this unique offering, users can now subscribe to feeds that showcase posts of specific interest to them, diverging from the standard content displayed on Bluesky’s main “What’s Hot” feed.
Functioning in a manner akin to Twitter lists, custom feeds enable users to pin specific feeds, which are then conveniently displayed as different tabs at the top of their timeline. By accessing the new “My Feeds” menu in the app’s sidebar, users can select and prioritize the feeds that resonate with their individual preferences. This includes feeds like “What’s Hot” for trending content across the network, “What’s Hot Classic” for the original experience, “Bluesky Team” featuring posts from Bluesky Team members, and “Popular With Friends” offering a mix of content liked by their followers and popular accounts they follow.
But that’s not all! Bluesky’s “My Feeds” section also provides an avenue for users to discover new feeds. With a wide range of options available, users can explore everything from tamer feeds such as “Cat Pics” and “Music” to more unconventional ones like “Hellthread Feed” and “What’s Alf.” The best part is, users have the freedom to enjoy a reverse chronological timeline of posts solely from the accounts they follow, even without pinning any feeds.
Users have already expressed their satisfaction with the implementation of custom feeds. This feature empowers them with a sense of control over the algorithmic content they encounter, particularly in a digital landscape where influential figures like Elon Musk can dominate Twitter and TikTok keeps users glued to their screens. As a result, many users are opting to limit their feed to posts exclusively from the accounts they follow, as the distractions of everyday life are already plentiful.
In a March blog post, Bluesky CEO Jay Graber outlined the platform’s vision for algorithmic choice, expressing a desire for a future where individuals have control over their social media content. The goal is to replace the traditional “master algorithm” controlled by a single company with a dynamic and inclusive “marketplace of algorithms.”
Custom feeds are now available in the latest version of the Bluesky mobile apps as well as the Bluesky web client, accessible at bsky.app. However, Bluesky remains an invite-only platform, meaning that access is limited to those who already possess an account or receive an invite code from existing users. As Bluesky continues to evolve, it remains committed to empowering users and allowing them to curate their social media experience according to their unique interests and preferences.
