Finding friends on Bluesky works differently than on X or Meta platforms because the network is smaller and less algorithm-driven
Bluesky shows you posts from people you follow and from feeds you subscribe to, but it does not push content from strangers into your timeline the way larger platforms do. That means finding people to follow requires more intentional searching on your part — but it also means the people you find are usually there because they share your actual interests, not because an algorithm decided to show them to you.
The main ways to find people are: searching by username or real name, following people who comment on posts you like, browsing public feeds curated by other users, and joining Bluesky's directory services that let you list yourself and search for others by interest or profession.
Key Takeaways
- Search by username (starting with @) or real name in Bluesky's search bar to find specific people you already know.
- Check who is replying to posts in communities you care about — their profiles often link to other people with similar interests.
- Subscribe to public feeds created by other users that collect posts by topic, which helps you discover people talking about things you care about.
- Use Bluesky's directory services like Skyfeed or Bluesky's own starter packs to find people by profession, hobby, or location.
- Follow people gradually and mute or unfollow if their posts do not match what you are looking for — Bluesky does not penalize you for unfollowing.
Searching for people you already know
If you know someone's username or real name, the search bar at the top of Bluesky's home screen is the fastest way to find them. Type the @ symbol followed by their username — for example, @priya.bsky — and Bluesky will show you their profile. If you do not know their exact username, type their real name and Bluesky will show you a list of accounts matching that name.
Usernames on Bluesky can include a custom domain, so someone might be @username.bsky or @username.com or another domain they own. If you are not sure of the exact format, searching by real name usually works. Once you find the person, tap or click "Follow" on their profile to add them to your timeline.
Following people who engage in conversations you like
When you see a post that interests you, look at who is replying to it. People who reply to posts about topics you care about are likely to post about those topics themselves. Tap on a reply to see that person's profile, and if their other posts look interesting, follow them.
This method works especially well for niche topics — if you follow someone interested in, say, vintage typewriters or local city planning, the people replying to their posts are probably interested in the same things. You can build a timeline of people with real shared interests this way rather than following accounts at random.
Subscribing to topic-based feeds
Bluesky lets any user create a public feed that collects posts by topic, hashtag, or theme. These feeds work like channels — you subscribe to them and see posts from everyone who has posted with that feed's criteria. Feeds exist for almost any interest: photography, programming, local news for specific cities, book recommendations, pet photos, and thousands more.
To find feeds, tap the search icon and look for the "Feeds" tab, or search for a topic you care about and look for feeds in the results. When you find a feed you like, tap "Subscribe" and it will appear in your feed list. As you read posts in these feeds, you will see usernames of people posting about your interests — follow the ones whose posts appeal to you.
Using Bluesky's directory and starter packs
Bluesky has created starter packs — curated lists of accounts grouped by profession, hobby, location, or interest. You can browse starter packs to find people in your field or with your hobbies. Tap the search icon, look for "Starter Packs," and browse by category. When you find a pack that matches your interests, you can follow all the people in it at once or pick and choose.
Some third-party services like Skyfeed also let you search for people by profession or interest and see their profiles. These directories are maintained by volunteers and vary in how up-to-date they are, but they can be useful if you are looking for people in a specific field or location.
Building your timeline gradually
Bluesky works best when you follow people slowly and adjust as you go. Follow someone, see what they post for a few days, and unfollow if their posts do not match what you are looking for. There is no penalty for unfollowing — Bluesky does not use an algorithm that punishes you for changing your mind about who you want to see.
Muting is also useful: if you follow someone but do not want to see all their posts, you can mute them without unfollowing. They will not know you muted them, and you can unmute anytime. This lets you keep connections without filling your timeline with content you do not want to read.
What to do if you cannot find someone
If you are looking for someone specific and cannot find them, they may not have a Bluesky account yet, or they may have set their profile to private. You can check by searching their name — if nothing comes up, they are probably not on the platform. Some people also use different usernames on different platforms, so if you know their X handle, that does not mean their Bluesky username is the same.
If you find someone with a private profile, you can send them a follow request, and they can choose to accept or decline. You will not see their posts until they approve your request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see who is following me on Bluesky?
Yes. Tap your profile icon, go to your profile, and tap "Followers" to see a list of everyone following you. You can follow them back, mute them, or block them from that list.
What is the difference between following and subscribing to a feed?
Following a person adds their posts to your main timeline. Subscribing to a feed adds a separate feed to your feed list that shows posts matching that feed's topic or criteria. You can have both — follow people and subscribe to feeds at the same time.
If I unfollow someone, will they know?
No. Bluesky does not notify people when you unfollow them. You can unfollow and refollow without them knowing.
How do I find people in my city or region?
Search for your city name or region in the feeds section — many cities have community feeds. You can also search for starter packs by location. Some local communities have organized their own packs of local accounts.
Can I block someone on Bluesky?
Yes. Go to their profile, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Block." Blocked people cannot see your posts, follow you, or send you messages. You can unblock them anytime from your blocked accounts list in settings.