Bluesky, the decentralized social media platform, has achieved significant success in a highly competitive field. Unlike many of its competitors, Bluesky has not only managed to survive but has also gained over 3 million sign-ups during its invite-only phase. Since opening up to the public, Bluesky has attracted over 5.6 million users, showcasing its popularity and potential.
One notable aspect of Bluesky’s success is that it has achieved these milestones without incorporating two common features found on other social media platforms: direct messages (DMs) and video uploads. However, the Bluesky team recently announced plans to introduce these features, along with several others, in the near future.
DMs, or private messages, are at the top of Bluesky’s list of upcoming features. Currently, all posts on the platform are public, but Bluesky intends to develop a DM service that will seamlessly integrate into the app. The initial version of the DM feature will allow users to control who can send them messages. Users will have the option to receive DMs only from those they follow, disable DMs entirely, or keep their DMs open to anyone on the platform.
Another significant addition to Bluesky will be the introduction of video uploads. While this feature is currently absent from the platform, users will soon be able to upload video clips up to 90 seconds long. This enhancement will enable users to share more dynamic and engaging content.
In addition to DMs and video uploads, Bluesky is working on an OAuth or “Log in with” feature. This will allow third-party websites and platforms to offer users the option of signing up using their Bluesky accounts, enhancing user convenience and accessibility.
Bluesky is also committed to further developing unique features that set it apart from other social media platforms. The platform already boasts robust anti-harassment tools, and the team is actively working on improving these moderation tools. Custom Feeds, a feature that allows users to personalize their timelines, will receive updates as well. Users will soon have the ability to submit specific posts to feeds, make requests to show more or less of certain types of content, and even create “superfeeds” that showcase the activities of their following feeds’ communities.
These upcoming features are expected to be well-received by the Bluesky community, particularly at a time when the platform’s founder, Jack Dorsey, has stepped down from Twitter’s board of directors. With its commitment to innovation and user-centric features, Bluesky is positioning itself as a formidable competitor in the social media landscape.