Bluesky, Jack Dorsey's alternative to Twitter, has made its way to Android devices, but for now, it is only available through invitation. The app, which debuted on the App Store in February, has a beta version that allows users to follow other users, create posts with photos, and perform other Twitter-like functions. However, it is still a work in progress and has some limitations, including the absence of direct messages and a limited user base of around 25,000.
Bluesky first emerged as a Twitter-backed initiative in 2019, aiming to create a decentralized standard for social media platforms. However, in 2021, it broke off from Twitter and has since joined the ranks of upstart Twitter clones like Mastodon. Bluesky is designed to give users control over how they consume social media, with an open marketplace of algorithms that developers can use to experiment with and publish.
CEO Jay Graber has emphasized the importance of moderation in the development of Bluesky. The team has prioritized user safety from the start and is using a combination of automated filtering and server-level moderation controlled by administrators. In the future, the app plans to let users subscribe to additional sets of moderation labels that can filter out more content or accounts.
Bluesky's ultimate goal is to create a social media platform that prioritizes user control and customization. With its open marketplace of algorithms, users can customize their feed, giving them control over their most valuable resource: their attention. Although the app is still in beta, its potential to change the social media landscape is promising, and it will be exciting to see how it evolves as it moves towards public launch.
