How Bluesky Feeds Put You in Control of What You See
The number of users on Bluesky Social has skyrocketed, especially after the controversy surrounding Elon Musk’s acquisition of X (formerly Twitter). Its chaotic aftermath has quickly made Bluesky Social a viable alternative – not just for those disillusioned by X, but for anyone looking for more control over their social media experience. What truly sets Bluesky apart is its decentralized structure. Unlike other major platforms, Bluesky feeds allow you to create your own algorithms. But how exactly do these feeds work, and what makes them different from the ones you’re used to? Let’s dive in!
What are Bluesky Feeds and What Makes them Different?
In Bluesky Social, custom feeds or feed generators let you choose the topics that interest you the most, rather than relying on a central algorithm to decide based on your activity. Whether you’re into psychology, social media, books, cars, or cinema, you can simply add relevant feeds and enjoy your self-curated content.
While this feed system differs from what you might be familiar with on other platforms, it’s the customization options that make Bluesky’s feeds truly stand out. Don’t worry, they are easy to find, add and remove. Here’s what you need to know:
1. No Algorithmic Control
Unlike traditional platforms like Twitter and Instagram, Bluesky Social does not rely on algorithms to determine what content appears in your feed. Instead, you have the freedom to create your own feeds and control what content you see. This means you’re not at the mercy of algorithmic biases, which makes you the ultimate owner of your social media experience.
2. Single Timeline for Simplicity
Bluesky offers a single, chronological timeline where users can view posts as they are published, eliminating the endless scrolling and filtered content seen on other platforms. This creates a more organic, chronological flow of information, making it easier to keep up with the latest posts from those you follow.
3. Customizable Feeds
The main advantage of Bluesky feeds is the ability to fully customize them. You can either create your own feeds or explore high-quality feeds created by others. This flexibility allows you to curate the content that matters most to you, whether it’s tech news, trending topics, or niche interests.
However, it’s important to note that creating your own custom feed requires a bit of technical knowledge. Third-party developers have built a tool, Skyfeed, which enables users to build their own Bluesky Feeds.
4. Discovering, Adding, and Removing Feeds
Adding a feed to your Bluesky experience is simple. Start by downloading the app for iPhone or Android or go to the website. If you’ve already signed into your Bluesky Social account, just go to the “Feeds” section in the app (you’ll see it in the upper right corner of the first screenshot, marked with a “#”) or on the website to explore new feeds.
You can also discover new feeds by using the search function or by browsing through the “Discover New Feeds” section. Once you find a feed you like, just click on it and choose to insert it into your timeline by selecting the “Insert in the beginning” button.
Found a feed you like?
Simply tap the “+” to add it to your Bluesky Feeds section. It will then appear under “My Feeds”.
Tired of a feed?
Go to the Feeds section, click the feed you want to remove, tap the three-dot menu in the upper right corner of the feed, and finally click “Remove from my feeds”.
5. A Feed for Every Interest
Whether you’re looking for personal updates or professional insights, Bluesky offers a feed for everyone. The “My Feeds” section shows all the feeds you’ve added and you can even pin or unpin them to your profile. This makes it easy to keep track of the content that matters most to you. And with each feed having its own unique URL, sharing and recommending content is a breeze.
How to Use Bluesky Feeds to Enhance Your Social Media Strategy
For social media enthusiasts, content creators, and businesses looking to tap into new audiences, Bluesky feeds present a wealth of opportunities. Here’s how you can use them effectively:
Curate Content
Instead of passively consuming content, with Bluesky’s Feeds feature you can actively shape your experience. Create and follow feeds that align with your interests, whether they’re related to your industry, hobbies, or current trends. This ensures that you’re always up to date with the content that matters most to you.
Discover New Audiences
By creating your own Bluesky feeds and making them public, you can attract like-minded users who share your interests. This helps you grow your following and engage with a community that is genuinely interested in your content.
Build Relationships
Since Bluesky Social allows users to engage with content in a more personalized way, it’s a great opportunity to build authentic connections. Respond to posts, share relevant content, and interact with others through the Bluesky feeds you follow and create.
Stay Ahead of Trends
Feeds on Bluesky give you access to real-time information, making it easier to stay ahead of trends. Whether it’s breaking news, viral content, or emerging topics, Bluesky’s feeds allow you to stay on top of the latest developments in your industry or area of interest.
If you want to learn how to leverage Bluesky Social for your marketing strategy, check out our guide below:
Bluesky’s unique approach to social media is shaking up the status quo. By empowering users to create their own feeds and control the content they consume, the platform offers a refreshing alternative to traditional social media.
Whether you’re someone looking to customize your content experience or a business seeking to connect with an engaged audience, Bluesky Feeds offer the flexibility and control you need to succeed.
If you haven’t yet explored Bluesky, now is the time to dive in and take full advantage of the customizable feeds. With the ability to follow exactly what interests you and create your own content curation system, Bluesky is quickly proving to be a game-changer in the world of social media.
