New Setting in Bluesky Helps Prevent Accidental Virality

Bluesky has rolled out a new feature designed for users who want to avoid becoming a “main character” in viral situations. This new privacy setting empowers users to control who sees their posts by preventing them from being displayed to non-followers in the algorithm-driven “discover” feed.

Accessible through the app’s privacy settings, this feature operates at the account level rather than on a per-post basis. Once activated, it ensures that none of your posts will appear in the discover feed for individuals who do not already follow you.

It’s important to note that this setting does not render your posts completely private or invisible. Unlike platforms such as X, Bluesky does not offer the option for private accounts. Even by selecting the new “ask apps to hide my posts from algorithmic recommendations,” there remains a possibility that your posts may still show up in other algorithmically curated feeds or applications utilizing its AT Protocol.

The Discover feed remains a key feature for users seeking content from accounts they don’t follow. As indicated by the company, this can sometimes lead to unexpected outcomes, such as going viral unintentionally. limiting your visibility in this feed can serve as a beneficial tool for users concerned that their opinions might be misinterpreted.

While it seems improbable that Bluesky will introduce fully private accounts, the company appears to be exploring additional privacy-enhancing features. They have mentioned that this adjustment is “one of a few updates we’re working on to give you more control over your experience and help you find your people.”