Bluesky Tests Live Features to Rival X
▼ Summary
– Bluesky plans to make its app feel more “live” in 2026 by developing interactive, real-time features for events and feeds.
– The platform’s roadmap includes improving basic features like drafts, longer videos, and better “who to follow” suggestions.
– A dedicated team will manage the Discover feed, and topic tags are being explored to help users find relevant content.
– Bluesky, with 1.5 million daily users, aims to position itself as a refuge for users dissatisfied with Elon Musk’s X platform.
– The company’s goal is to create a public network where users can have fun and make sense of information without feeling exploited.
Bluesky is actively developing new features designed to create a more dynamic, real-time user experience, positioning itself as a compelling alternative to other major social platforms. The company recently outlined its development goals, with a clear emphasis on making the app feel less like a passive feed and more like an interactive space for live conversation and events. According to product head Alex Benzer, the team is taking an experimental approach to explore features that transform simple scrolling into a more engaging, communal activity.
A core focus for the coming year involves enhancing the platform’s “liveness.” This means the development team is working on ways to make feeds more interactive and timely, especially during major live events. While specific details are still under wraps, the direction signals a shift towards real-time engagement. The goal is to make Bluesky feel more like a place for hanging out and shared experiences rather than just a repository of static posts.
Alongside these ambitious live features, Bluesky acknowledges the importance of solidifying its foundational tools. The roadmap highlights necessary improvements to basic functionality, including support for post drafts, longer video formats, faster upload speeds, and more intelligent “who to follow” recommendations. A dedicated team is being assembled to manage the platform’s Discover feed, and the exploration of topic tags aims to help users more easily find content and communities aligned with their interests.
With a current user base significantly smaller than its competitors, Bluesky’s strategy appears to be carving out a distinct niche. By focusing on live moments and a more enjoyable, less adversarial online environment, it aims to attract users seeking an alternative. Benzer framed the platform’s mission as creating a public network where people can find both meaningful discussion and genuine fun, a subtle contrast to the perception of other billionaire-owned social media spaces. This development push represents Bluesky’s latest effort to establish itself as a refuge for those nostalgic for a different era of social networking.
(Source: The Verge)
