Getting started on Bluesky
Bluesky is a social network built on open-source technology, meaning it works differently from X (formerly Twitter) or Meta platforms. You create an account through their website or mobile app, choose a username and handle, and start following people and posting. The process takes about five minutes, and you do not need an invitation code anymore — Bluesky opened to the public in February 2024.
The main difference you will notice is that Bluesky lets you choose your own domain as your handle instead of being locked into @username.bsky.social. This means you can use your own website domain if you own one, or stick with the default Bluesky domain. The platform also uses a different algorithm system called the "open social web," which means you can switch between different feeds and recommendation systems without leaving the app.
Key Takeaways
- You can sign up for Bluesky through their website or mobile app without needing an invitation code.
- Your handle can be a custom domain you own, or a username ending in .bsky.social if you do not have your own domain.
- You will need to verify your email address before you can post or interact with other users.
- Bluesky's algorithm works differently than other social networks — you can add and remove custom feeds to change what you see.
- Your account settings let you control who can reply to your posts and whether your account is searchable.
Sign up through the website or app
Go to bsky.app in your web browser, or download the Bluesky app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. On the sign-up screen, enter your email address and create a password. Your password should be at least eight characters and something you have not used on other accounts. Tap or click "Next" to continue.
On the next screen, you will enter your name (the display name people see on your profile) and choose your handle. If you own a domain, you can use that as your handle — for example, if you own yourname.com, your handle could be @yourname.com. If you do not own a domain, Bluesky assigns you a handle ending in .bsky.social, like @yourname.bsky.social. You can change your display name anytime, but changing your handle is more complicated, so choose carefully.
After you enter your information, Bluesky sends a verification code to your email. Check your inbox (and spam folder if you do not see it), and enter that code on the app or website. Once you verify your email, your account is created and you can start using Bluesky.
Set up your profile and privacy settings
After you verify your email, you land on your profile page. Add a profile picture by tapping the camera icon on your avatar — you can upload a photo from your device or take a new one. Write a short bio in the "About" section to tell people who you are and what you post about. Neither of these is required, but a profile picture and bio make your account look established and help people decide whether to follow you.
Go to your Settings (the gear icon) to control who can interact with you. Under "Moderation," you can set your account to private, which means people have to ask permission before they follow you. You can also block specific words or phrases so posts containing them do not show up in your feed, and you can mute accounts without unfollowing them. Under "Privacy," you can turn off search indexing so your profile does not appear in search results outside Bluesky.
In the same Settings menu, you can set who can reply to your posts. By default, anyone can reply, but you can change it so only people you follow can reply, or only people you mention. This is useful if you post something that attracts unwanted responses.
Find people to follow and customize your feeds
Bluesky's home feed shows posts from people you follow, similar to other social networks. To find people, use the search bar at the top of the app and search by name, handle, or topic. When you find someone you want to follow, tap their profile and hit the "Follow" button. They do not have to follow you back for you to see their posts.
One of Bluesky's main features is custom feeds. Instead of one algorithm deciding what you see, you can add feeds created by other users or by Bluesky itself. These feeds focus on specific topics — for example, there are feeds for photography, science news, or local communities. To add a feed, go to the "Feeds" tab, tap the plus icon, and search for feeds by name or topic. You can add as many as you want and remove them anytime.
Bluesky also has a "Discover" tab that shows trending posts and topics. This is a good place to find new accounts to follow and see what people are talking about across the platform.
Post your first message and interact with others
To post, tap the compose button (usually a pencil or plus icon at the bottom of the app) and type your message. You can write up to 300 characters, add photos or videos, and include links. When you are ready, tap "Post" and your message goes live. People who follow you will see it in their feed, and it will also appear in any custom feeds that include your post.
You can interact with other people's posts by liking them (tap the heart), reposting them (tap the repost icon to share them with your followers), or replying to them. Replies work like they do on other platforms — your response appears under the original post and the author gets a notification. You can also quote-post, which means you repost someone's message with your own comment attached.
If someone's post breaks Bluesky's rules or you simply do not want to see their content, you can report it or mute the account. Reporting sends the post to Bluesky's moderation team. Muting hides that person's posts from your feed without them knowing.
Understand Bluesky's moderation and safety features
Bluesky has community guidelines that prohibit harassment, hate speech, spam, and illegal content. If you break these rules, your post can be removed or your account can be suspended. You can report posts or accounts that violate the guidelines by tapping the three-dot menu on a post and selecting "Report."
Bluesky also lets you create custom moderation lists. These are lists of accounts that you or other users have flagged for specific behavior — for example, a list of accounts that post misinformation about a particular topic. You can subscribe to these lists to automatically mute or block all accounts on them. This is different from blocking individual accounts and gives you more control over what you see.
Your account is yours to control. You can delete posts anytime, change your password in Settings, and turn on two-factor authentication for extra security. If you ever want to leave Bluesky, you can deactivate your account, which hides it from public view. After 30 days, it is permanently deleted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an invitation code to join Bluesky?
No. Bluesky opened to the public in February 2024, so anyone can sign up directly through the website or app without an invitation code. If you have an older account from before the public launch, you may have received an invitation code, but you do not need one now.
Can I change my handle after I create my account?
Yes, but it is more involved than changing your display name. If you want to change your handle, go to Settings, find "Change Handle," and follow the steps. If you own a custom domain, you can change to a different domain you own. If you use the default .bsky.social handle, you can change it to a different .bsky.social handle, but you cannot switch to a custom domain without owning that domain.
What happens if I delete my account?
When you deactivate your account, it becomes hidden from the public immediately. Your posts, followers, and profile disappear from view. After 30 days, Bluesky permanently deletes your account and all its data. You cannot recover it after that point, so make sure you want to leave before you deactivate.
Can I use the same email address for multiple Bluesky accounts?
No. Each Bluesky account requires a unique email address. If you want to run multiple accounts, you will need separate email addresses for each one. You can manage multiple accounts in the app by logging out and logging back in with a different email.
How do I know if someone blocked me on Bluesky?
Bluesky does not send a notification when someone blocks you, but you will notice you cannot see their profile, posts, or replies anymore. If you try to visit their profile directly, you will see a message saying the account has blocked you. You can unblock yourself by asking them to unblock you, or you can create a new account if you want to interact with them again.