What is Bluesky social media and how to automate sharing

With recent updates to the user interface and algorithm on platforms such as Instagram, X, and Facebook, many feel disenchanted with the current social media options. Whether it’s that nostalgia of a classic homepage or the desire to have greater control over what content you see, it’s perfectly fine to look to alternative social media platforms.

One rising new platform that offers fresh opportunities is Bluesky. This app was born after the transition of Twitter to X and sought to restore the classic “Twitter” experience for users. With a growing userbase of 20 million and counting, they’ve struck a chord with those looking to return to a simpler social media experience.

In this guide, we’ll go over a brief history and introduction of Bluesky, break down some of its key features, and explain how to get started with the app. We’ll also cover how automation tools like IFTTT can change the way you handle social media tasks, help you save time, and boost efficiency.

For those looking for ultimate freedom with their social media, using Bluesky and IFTTT is the perfect solution. Let’s jump right in.

What is Bluesky?

Bluesky has flown relatively under the radar since its beta release in 2023, but has since grown into a sizeable competitor. At first glance, the platform looks almost identical to a 2017-era Twitter, with familiar navigation, chronological feeds, and simple interaction tools like likes, replies, and reposts. That resemblance isn’t accidental.

Bluesky began as a side project within Twitter, created by then-CEO Jack Dorsey. The goal was to explore a new standard for social media that would give users more control over their experience rather than locking them into a single company’s ecosystem.

At its core, Bluesky is a decentralized social media platform built on the AT Protocol (Authenticated Transfer Protocol). This allows users to own their identity, choose how their content is distributed, and move between servers without losing followers or posts. Unlike traditional platforms, where algorithms and moderation are centrally controlled, Bluesky gives users more say in what they see and how they engage.

Key features that set Bluesky apart

1. Custom feeds vs an algorithm

One of Bluesky’s most celebrated features is custom feeds. Rather than being locked into a single algorithmic timeline, users can choose or create feeds based on their interests. Want a feed that only shows posts about tech, art, or memes? You can do that.

2. Decentralization

Since Bluesky is decentralized, your account isn’t permanently tied to one company. In theory, you can move your account to another server while keeping your username, followers, and posts. Although this might not seem like anything special now, this makes Bluesky more future-proof and less vulnerable to sudden platform changes.

3. Simpler experience

Bluesky emphasizes a clean, chronological timeline, making it easier to follow conversations without engagement-driven algorithms. This can be a nice refresh from a crowded, artificially boosted timeline that you may be used to on other platforms.

4. Growing community

With over 20 million users and growing, Bluesky is still early enough that creators, brands, and communities can establish a strong presence without fighting against too much saturation.

Who owns Bluesky today?

Bluesky was initiated by Twitter and Jack Dorsey, but as of 2021 has become separate entity. It operates independently under its own governance, headed by software engineer Jay Graber. The larger board of directors includes venture capitalists, software company founders, as well as authors and researchers. This unified management puts its focus on open-source development, and developers are invited to contribute to the app.

Bluesky vs X: Key differences

Although Bluesky and X share similar roots, they’ve taken very different approaches and have different philosophies. Understanding these differences can help you decide which platform makes the most sense for your goals.

For an in-depth look at Bluesky vs Threads, check out our full comparison here.

Algorithm vs user control

X relies mostly on a centralized, engagement-driven algorithm that prioritizes viral content, ads, and promoted posts. While this can increase reach, it often comes at the cost of relevance and transparency.

Bluesky gives users more control over their experience. You can choose chronological feeds, subscribe to custom topic feeds, or even build your own.

Centralized vs decentralized

X is fully centralized, meaning your account, identity, and content are permanently tied to the platform. For the majority of users, this isn’t a huge issue, but it should be known that ownership or policy changes can affect your saved data and profile.

Bluesky is built on a decentralized infrastructure using the AT Protocol we mentioned earlier. This allows for identity portability and flexibility, making it a better option for users who value independence.

Monetization and ads

X places emphasis on ads, subscriptions, and paid visibility. This can be beneficial for advertisers but frustrating for regular users.

Bluesky currently has no ads and focuses on building an open ecosystem first. While monetization models may come later, the platform today is without any distractions. This could be a downside if you are trying to promote content or start a small business through ads or promoted content.

Getting started: Bluesky login and setup

Setting up your Bluesky account is straightforward. Start by visiting the Bluesky website. As of 2024, the app has ditched the invite-only login system and now allows anyone to become a new user. Click on the “Create account” prompt, and provide the basic information for account creation, which takes just a few minutes.

After completing these steps, you can access your account. Familiarize yourself with the platform’s interface and features to make the most of your new Bluesky account. Try making your first post by clicking the plus icon and start connecting with others on this innovative platform.

What is the Bluesky character limit?

Bluesky has a character limit for posts similar to X. This encourages more thoughtful communication, with Bluesky users only being able to use a maximum of 300 characters per post. On X, the character limit is 280.

Why automate social media?

Managing social media can quickly take up your precious time, especially if you’re active on more than one platform. Posting consistently, sharing new content, and keeping feeds updated often requires daily attention. Automation with tools like IFTTT helps reduce that workload while keeping your presence active online.

The first big reason why automation could be a game-changer is the time savings. Instead of manually posting the same content across platforms, automation allows you to set up rules once and let them run in the background.

Consistency is one of the most important factors in growing a social presence. Automation makes sure posts go out regularly, even when you’re busy or away. This is especially helpful for creators, small businesses, or anyone who doesn’t have a dedicated social media manager.

Lastly, automation is often needed when you want different apps to work together. For example, with IFTTT you can automatically share new RSS posts to Bluesky, cross-post from another social network, or log social activity in tools like Google Sheets or Notion.

What is IFTTT and how does it work?

IFTTT (If This, Then That) is our powerful automation platform that connects over 1000 different apps and services together using conditional logic. Each automation is called an Applet. These can be as simple as connecting smart home devices and can be expanded to complex workflows between customer management systems, AI tools, social media, and much more.

Because Bluesky is built on open standards and an API-friendly protocol, it’s perfect for automation. While Bluesky doesn’t yet have the same native tools as older platforms, automation with IFTTT bridges that gap.

By integrating Bluesky with IFTTT, you can automate all sorts of tasks that would normally have you hitting your head against the desk. Here’s how to get started:

Create an IFTTT account: If you don’t have an account, sign up on the https://ifttt.com.

Connect services: Use the search bar to find whatever services you are interested in. Click the “Connect” button and link your account by signing in. You can connect unlimited services for free.

Browse Applets: Head to the Applets tab in IFTTT and search through our library for an Applet that works for you. Don’t worry, we have over a million (and counting) Applets for you to choose from. You can also create your own with our easy-to-use Applet builder.

Popular Bluesky automation ideas

Here are a few practical ways people are using Bluesky with IFTTT today:

Automatically share new blog posts

Connect your website’s RSS feed to Bluesky so that every new article is shared the moment it goes live.

Cross-post from other platforms

If you’re still active on platforms like X or Instagram, automation can help mirror posts to Bluesky. This makes it easier to maintain a presence on all platforms.

Save posts for reference

You can automatically save your Bluesky posts or mentions to Google Sheets, Notion, Docs, and more. This is useful for creators who want a content archive or brands that need records for the future.

Building your own Applet

Can’t find exactly what you’re looking for? On IFTTT, it’s simple to build your own Applets and share them with the community. Simply click the ‘Create’ button, select a trigger action (e.g. When a new post is made on Instagram) and an output action (e.g, Post on Bluesky).

IFTTT is designed to make automation easy for everyone. Regardless of technical experience, setting up an IFTTT Applet only takes a few minutes. Applets give you access to all types of advanced functions, like filter code and delay, which can be used to create impressive automations. For a more complete guide on everything Applet-related, check out our full guide here.

Using IFTTT, you can automate common Bluesky actions such as:

• - Posting new content automatically
• - Cross-posting updates from other platforms
• - Sharing RSS feed items
• - Backing up posts or mentions
• - Tracking activity for analytics or record-keeping

With a little help, you can completely change your relationship with social media. From finding the best platform for your networking and privacy needs to finally finding the missing piece to have your social media campaign take off, IFTTT is here to help every step of the way. We hope this guide has given you some valuable insight into what Bluesky represents, how to get started, and the answers to some common questions.

To really grasp how impactful automation can be, it’s a great idea to give IFTTT a try, and our free forever plan means no commitment on your end. After building a few Applets, you’ll start to wonder how you ever went without it! Click on the button below to get started today.