Bluesky To Add Custom Vertical Video Feeds
By Corporal Punishment |
Bluesky is a relatively new decentralized social media platform initially incubated by Twitter, but it later spun off as an independent organization. Bluesky's development began in 2019, and it has garnered attention as a potential alternative to mainstream social networks, particularly for those interested in privacy, data control, and open standards for digital communication. If you’ve ever wished for more control over your social media experience, Bluesky might just have the answer for you. You can grab the MajorGeeks BlueSky Feed here.
The first viral video, the Dancing Baby from 1996, was shared via email. Fast-forward to today, and social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have turned video sharing into a multi-billion-dollar industry. Looking to capitalize on the uncertain future of TikTok and looking at 170,000,000 disenfranchised TikTokers, BlueSky announced that they are implementing custom vertical video feeds to its service.
Optimized for mobile viewing, Vertical videos have become the reigning format of the social media world, accounting for 75% of video consumption on the web. From TikTok’s endless swipeable feed to Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, vertical video has reshaped how we consume content. Bluesky’s twist? Empowering users to curate their feeds rather than relying on an opaque, one-size-fits-all algorithm. Bluesky allows users to create or follow custom feeds tailored to specific interests, niches, or moods. These feeds can be pinned for easy access, offering a streamlined, hyper-personalized browsing experience. Imagine having a feed for dog videos, another for tech tips, and a third for indie music—all just a tap and a scroll away... Or is it a "swish and a flick."
Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube dominate the vertical video space, but their algorithms often prioritize advertiser interests over user preferences. (shocker) The platform’s decentralized architecture ensures that your feeds reflect exactly what you want to see, free from hidden manipulations. Unlike centralized platforms, Bluesky gives users greater control over how their data is used and allows them to tweak or bypass algorithms entirely.
Bluesky’s custom vertical video feeds represent a significant step toward user empowerment in social media. By combining personalization, transparency, and the flexibility of decentralized technology, the platform is challenging the status quo. This is a refreshing alternative for anyone tired of scrolling through irrelevant content or questioning algorithmic decisions. Fun fact: Bluesky’s decentralized architecture isn’t just a buzzword. It’s built to give users control over their data, making it harder for corporations to exploit personal information for profit.
Bluesky’s custom video feeds offer a little something for everyone. Most importantly, casual users can skip the frustration of irrelevant posts and focus on what truly sparks their interest. There is nothing worse than scrolling through cute puppy vids and getting interrupted by politics or workout offers.
The pinned feed function should be a breath of fresh air for tech enthusiasts—finally, a platform that lets you customize and understand your feed, instead of hiding everything behind locked algorithms.
Content creators will love the ability to target niche audiences with curated themes, while digital marketers can use Bluesky’s transparency to build trust and connect authentically. Whether you’re a casual browser or a tech-savvy tinkerer, Bluesky’s custom feeds make the experience more personal, engaging, and in your control.
This update is rolling out on mobile this week (not sure on desktop). Setting up custom feeds on Bluesky is straightforward once your app updates. Users can explore existing feeds or design their own based on specific topics or hashtags. (Go to FEEDS and SEARCH FEEDS.) By pinning favorites, they can organize their homepage for seamless navigation. . Fun fact: Did you know hashtags, which play a key role in feed curation, were first introduced on Twitter in 2007 by user Chris Messina? It’s fitting that Bluesky, a Twitter offshoot, is continuing the tradition of user-driven content organization.
While Bluesky’s custom feeds offer exciting possibilities, there are a few challenges to consider. Users unfamiliar with feed customization might find it intimidating initially, and over-personalization could lead to echo chambers reinforcing biases. Additionally, as a newer platform, Bluesky is still catching up regarding widespread adoption and third-party integrations. Currently, there are around 27 million subscribers as of publishing, So don't expect your vids to go super viral, super fast.
With its user empowerment, transparency, and decentralization, BlueSky is a breath of fresh air in an otherwise algorithm-driven wasteland. Whether you're looking to escape irrelevant content, connect with niche communities, or enjoy a more personalized experience and the thought -- BlueSky’s custom vertical video feeds look to provide a unique and engaging alternative. I just hope no one tells the TikTok'rs about it. So let's keep this feature between us... Cool?
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The first viral video, the Dancing Baby from 1996, was shared via email. Fast-forward to today, and social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have turned video sharing into a multi-billion-dollar industry. Looking to capitalize on the uncertain future of TikTok and looking at 170,000,000 disenfranchised TikTokers, BlueSky announced that they are implementing custom vertical video feeds to its service.
We had to get in on the video action too — Bluesky now has custom feeds for video!
— Bluesky (@bsky.app) January 19, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Like any other feed, you can choose to pin these or not. Bluesky is yours to customize.
[image or embed]
Why are BlueSkys Veritcle Videos Different?
Optimized for mobile viewing, Vertical videos have become the reigning format of the social media world, accounting for 75% of video consumption on the web. From TikTok’s endless swipeable feed to Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, vertical video has reshaped how we consume content. Bluesky’s twist? Empowering users to curate their feeds rather than relying on an opaque, one-size-fits-all algorithm. Bluesky allows users to create or follow custom feeds tailored to specific interests, niches, or moods. These feeds can be pinned for easy access, offering a streamlined, hyper-personalized browsing experience. Imagine having a feed for dog videos, another for tech tips, and a third for indie music—all just a tap and a scroll away... Or is it a "swish and a flick."
Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube dominate the vertical video space, but their algorithms often prioritize advertiser interests over user preferences. (shocker) The platform’s decentralized architecture ensures that your feeds reflect exactly what you want to see, free from hidden manipulations. Unlike centralized platforms, Bluesky gives users greater control over how their data is used and allows them to tweak or bypass algorithms entirely.
Bluesky’s custom vertical video feeds represent a significant step toward user empowerment in social media. By combining personalization, transparency, and the flexibility of decentralized technology, the platform is challenging the status quo. This is a refreshing alternative for anyone tired of scrolling through irrelevant content or questioning algorithmic decisions. Fun fact: Bluesky’s decentralized architecture isn’t just a buzzword. It’s built to give users control over their data, making it harder for corporations to exploit personal information for profit.
Bluesky’s custom video feeds offer a little something for everyone. Most importantly, casual users can skip the frustration of irrelevant posts and focus on what truly sparks their interest. There is nothing worse than scrolling through cute puppy vids and getting interrupted by politics or workout offers.
The pinned feed function should be a breath of fresh air for tech enthusiasts—finally, a platform that lets you customize and understand your feed, instead of hiding everything behind locked algorithms.
Content creators will love the ability to target niche audiences with curated themes, while digital marketers can use Bluesky’s transparency to build trust and connect authentically. Whether you’re a casual browser or a tech-savvy tinkerer, Bluesky’s custom feeds make the experience more personal, engaging, and in your control.
When will Verticle Feeds be available on BlueSky?
This update is rolling out on mobile this week (not sure on desktop). Setting up custom feeds on Bluesky is straightforward once your app updates. Users can explore existing feeds or design their own based on specific topics or hashtags. (Go to FEEDS and SEARCH FEEDS.) By pinning favorites, they can organize their homepage for seamless navigation. . Fun fact: Did you know hashtags, which play a key role in feed curation, were first introduced on Twitter in 2007 by user Chris Messina? It’s fitting that Bluesky, a Twitter offshoot, is continuing the tradition of user-driven content organization.
Not All Blue -- sky
While Bluesky’s custom feeds offer exciting possibilities, there are a few challenges to consider. Users unfamiliar with feed customization might find it intimidating initially, and over-personalization could lead to echo chambers reinforcing biases. Additionally, as a newer platform, Bluesky is still catching up regarding widespread adoption and third-party integrations. Currently, there are around 27 million subscribers as of publishing, So don't expect your vids to go super viral, super fast.
Final Thoughts
With its user empowerment, transparency, and decentralization, BlueSky is a breath of fresh air in an otherwise algorithm-driven wasteland. Whether you're looking to escape irrelevant content, connect with niche communities, or enjoy a more personalized experience and the thought -- BlueSky’s custom vertical video feeds look to provide a unique and engaging alternative. I just hope no one tells the TikTok'rs about it. So let's keep this feature between us... Cool?
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