Skylight’s TikTok Rival Adds Community Curators for Better Content
▼ Summary
– Skylight is a video app that uses human curators instead of algorithms to build custom feeds users can subscribe to.
– The app launched on Bluesky’s AT Protocol and has seen 240,000 downloads and 100,000 videos uploaded since April.
– Version 2.0 introduces improved curation tools, including the ability to create custom feeds and follow individual curators.
– Skylight added livestreaming via a partnership with Streamplace and redesigned its video player with full-screen and split-screen modes.
– The app is free on iOS and Android, built by a two-person team, and generates buzz through TikTok where the CEO has over 63,000 followers.
In a crowded market dominated by algorithm-driven platforms, Skylight offers a refreshing alternative to traditional short-form video apps by prioritizing human curation over automated feeds. The newly launched version 2.0 introduces community curators, allowing users to build and share personalized video collections that others can subscribe to. This approach directly addresses growing user fatigue with opaque algorithms and the rising tide of low-quality synthetic content flooding mainstream social networks.
Built on Bluesky’s decentralized AT Protocol, Skylight first appeared in April as an open video-sharing platform. Since its debut, the app has attracted approximately 240,000 downloads and seen 100,000 videos uploaded to its network. Early backing from investors like Mark Cuban has helped fuel its growth, while integration with Bluesky’s authentication system provides access to a potential user base of over 38.4 million people.
The latest update centers on improved content discovery through user-led curation. Anyone can now become a curator by posting, reposting, or using external tools to compile custom video feeds. Soon, Skylight will integrate technology from Graze, a feed-building service, to let users create these personalized collections directly within the app.
To explore curated feeds, users swipe left from the home screen and browse available selections. Tapping the plus button lets them follow curators they enjoy, whose content then appears in their personalized feed lineup. This puts control back in the hands of users rather than relying solely on automated recommendations.
Skylight has also expanded its functionality through partnerships with other open web services. A collaboration with Streamplace, another AT Protocol-based platform, enables built-in livestreaming without requiring in-house development. The app now also features a redesigned video player with full-screen viewing and split-screen mode, allowing continued browsing while watching content.
Founded by Tori White and Reed Harmeyer, Skylight has gained traction largely through organic promotion on TikTok, where White’s account has over 63,000 followers. Her regular updates have driven significant installs, 20,000 in the past week alone, reflecting a broader shift toward open, community-led social platforms.
Available for free on iOS and Android, Skylight continues to evolve with plans to introduce music integration, bookmarking, account switching, and more features in the near future.
(Source: TechCrunch)
