If you have heard about the fast-growing alternative to X and want to know how to use Bluesky, this beginner’s guide walks you through it step by step. Bluesky is a free text-based social network that looks a lot like early Twitter, where you post short updates, follow people, and reply in public conversations. What sets it apart is that it runs on an open protocol called AT Protocol, giving you more control over your feeds, moderation, and even your account’s identity.
Bluesky opened to everyone in early 2024 and has since grown to tens of millions of users. For newcomers the standout features are custom feeds you can pick and choose from, starter packs that let you follow whole groups of people at once, and flexible moderation tools. This guide covers creating your account, publishing your first post, and getting the most from Bluesky’s unique options.
Getting Started With Bluesky
Bluesky is free on the App Store, Google Play, and at bsky.app in any browser. Unlike some networks, you no longer need an invite code; anyone can join directly.
Create your account
Enter an email address and password, then choose a handle. New accounts get a handle that ends in .bsky.social, such as @yourname.bsky.social. Advanced users can later set a custom domain as their handle, but that is optional. Add a display name, profile photo, and short bio so people know who you are.
Understand the layout
The home screen shows your feeds, with tabs across the top. A compose button (a pencil or plus) lets you post, and the bottom bar has Home, Search, Notifications, Chat, and your Profile. It is a clean, familiar layout if you have used any microblogging app before.
- Open Bluesky. Go to bsky.app or install the app, then tap Create account.
- Enter your details. Add an email and password and confirm your date of birth.
- Choose a handle. Pick a username ending in .bsky.social that is easy to share.
- Follow a starter pack. Use a starter pack or the suggestions to follow people fast.
- Write your first post. Tap the compose button, type up to 300 characters, and post.
- Add a custom feed. Browse feeds and pin the ones that match your interests.
- Set up moderation. Review content filters and mute or block as needed.
Posting and Following
A post on Bluesky can be up to 300 characters and can include photos, short videos, and links. Tap the compose button, type your update, and tap Post. Under each post you will find reply, repost, like, and share buttons, plus a quote option so you can add your own take when sharing.
Feeds: Following vs Discover
Your Following feed shows posts only from accounts you follow, in chronological order. The Discover feed is an algorithmic mix that helps you find new people and topics. Because Bluesky is open, developers and communities publish many other custom feeds, from specific hobbies to art or news, and you can pin your favorites as extra tabs.
Starter packs
A starter pack is a shareable list of accounts and feeds built around a theme, like journalists, scientists, or a hobby. Following a starter pack lets you follow everyone in it with one tap, which is the fastest way for a beginner to fill an empty feed with relevant people.
- Join a starter pack to follow people fast.
- Pin two or three custom feeds you enjoy.
- Add a bio and photo so others follow back.
- Reply to conversations to get noticed.
- Posts are public and can be seen without an account.
- Bluesky has no ads or algorithmic pressure to post.
- Custom domains are optional, not required.
- Some features differ from X despite the similar look.
Custom Feeds, Lists, and Moderation
Bluesky’s biggest strength is control. Beyond the default feeds you can subscribe to community-made feeds, create lists of accounts to organize who you follow, and layer on moderation tools. Labelers, which are independent moderation services you can subscribe to, add extra filtering on top of Bluesky’s own safety systems.
Managing what you see
In settings you can mute words and tags, hide replies you do not want, and block or mute accounts. Because moderation is customizable, two people can have very different, personalized experiences of the same network. This flexibility is a core reason many people switch to Bluesky.
| Feature | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Following feed | Chronological posts from people you follow | A predictable timeline |
| Discover feed | Algorithmic recommendations | Finding new accounts |
| Custom feeds | Community-built topic streams | Niche interests |
| Starter packs | Follow a group of accounts at once | Getting started fast |
| Lists | Organize accounts into groups | Curating your feed |
Privacy and Account Control
Bluesky is an open, public network, so your posts are visible to anyone by default and there is no fully private account mode yet. You can, however, restrict who is allowed to reply to individual posts, mute and block accounts, mute keywords, and hide your account from logged-out visitors in settings. There are no ads, and your feed is not driven by engagement pressure the way some networks are.
Because Bluesky runs on the open AT Protocol, your identity and data are more portable than on closed networks, and in theory you could move to another compatible app while keeping your followers. For more step-by-step help, browse our other how-to guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I still need an invite code for Bluesky?
No. Bluesky removed its invite-only system in early 2024, so anyone can sign up directly with an email address. You simply create an account, choose a handle, and start posting right away.
How is Bluesky different from X or Threads?
Bluesky looks similar but runs on the open AT Protocol, which gives you custom feeds, subscribable moderation services, and portable identity. It has no ads and lets you choose or build the algorithms that shape your timeline, unlike most closed networks.
What is a starter pack?
A starter pack is a shareable, themed collection of accounts and feeds. When you follow one, you can subscribe to everyone in it with a single tap, which is the quickest way for newcomers to build a lively, relevant timeline.
Are my Bluesky posts private?
No. Bluesky is a public network, so posts can be seen by anyone, including people without an account. You can limit who replies to a post, mute or block users, and hide your profile from logged-out visitors, but there is no fully private mode yet.
Is Bluesky free?
Yes. Creating an account, posting, following, and using custom feeds are all free. Bluesky has no ads and has introduced optional paid subscriptions for extra features, but the core social experience costs nothing.
