How to Get Started on Bluesky

Thinking about joining Bluesky, the decentralized social network that has everyone talking? You're in the right place. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from snagging an invite and setting up your profile to finding your community and making a genuine impact. We’ll cover the step-by-step process of getting started and share strategies for building an authentic presence on this exciting new platform.

What is Bluesky, and Why Does It Matter?

Bluesky emerged from an initiative originally funded by Twitter (now X) to create a decentralized social networking standard, known as the AT Protocol. Think of it as a fresh start for public conversation - a social network that isn't owned by a single company, giving users more control over their data, their algorithm, and their overall experience. Users are flocking to it because of its calmer, more community-focused vibe, its innovative "custom feeds," and its promise of a more open social internet.

For brands, creators, and marketers, Bluesky represents a chance to connect with a highly engaged, early-adopter audience in a more direct and authentic way. It’s an opportunity to build a community from the ground up, free from the noise and algorithmic pressures of legacy platforms.

Step 1: Get Your Bluesky Invite

As of now, Bluesky is still invite-only, which helps control growth and maintain a positive community culture. This exclusivity is temporary, but for now, you have two primary ways to get in.

The Best Way: An Invite Code from a Friend

The fastest way to join is by getting an invite code from someone who is already on the platform. Existing users receive a new invite code roughly every one to two weeks. These codes look like this: bsky-social-xxxx-xxxx.

• Reach out to your network. Post on your other social accounts asking if anyone has a spare Bluesky invite. You might be surprised who can help you out.
• Check online communities. Some Reddit threads or Discord servers dedicated to social media occasionally have users sharing spare invite codes. Be patient and polite when asking.

The Official Bluesky Waitlist

If you don’t know anyone on the platform, your next best bet is a little patience. You can join the official waitlist directly on the Bluesky website.

Simply enter your email address to get in line. Wait times can vary significantly - from a few days to several weeks or more - so the key is to sign up as soon as you can and keep an eye on your inbox.

Step 2: Set Up Your Profile for a Great First Impression

Once you’re in, your profile is your digital handshake. A well-crafted profile helps you find the right people and signals to others what you're all about. Let’s get it right from the start.

Choose Your Handle and Display Name

Your handle is your unique identifier on Bluesky, much like a username on other platforms. By default, it will be in the format of @[your-chosen-name].bsky.social. Make it memorable and, if possible, consistent with your brand handles elsewhere.

Your display name is what appears most prominently on your profile. This can be your actual name, your brand’s name, or a creative title. You can include emojis here to add a bit of personality.

Pro Tip: Use a Custom Domain as Your Handle.

One of Bluesky's most powerful features is the ability to use your own domain name (e.g., yourwebsite.com) as your handle. Instead of @username.bsky.social, your handle could be @yourbrand.com. This is an incredible feature for brand authentication because it proves you own the associated website, serving as an instant verification check for your followers. We’ll touch on how to set this up later.

Write a Bio That Connects

You have 256 characters to tell people who you are and why they should follow you. Be clear, concise, and authentic.

• State what you do and who you serve. Are you a freelance designer specializing in SaaS? A small business selling handmade pottery? Say it clearly.
• Include keywords relevant to your niche. Mention your core interests or skills, like "social media marketing," "AI art," or "indie game dev." This helps you appear in relevant searches.
• Add a call to action or a link. Drive traffic to your portfolio, newsletter, or latest project. Bluesky allows you to include a tappable link in your bio.
• Inject some personality. Don't be afraid to add a fun fact or an emoji that reflects your brand’s voice.

Upload Your Profile Picture and Header Image

Images reinforce your brand identity. Use a clear, high-quality headshot or logo for your profile picture and a complementary header image that adds context or personality to your page. Visual consistency across platforms makes it easier for your existing audience to find and recognize you.

Step 3: Finding Your People and Your Place

Now that your profile is ready, it's time to dive into the core experience. Bluesky feels familiar in some ways but has unique features that set it apart, particularly its custom feeds.

Understand the Timelines: Following vs. Custom Feeds

On Bluesky, you aren't stuck with one algorithm. You get to choose how you discover content.

• Following: This is your main timeline, showing posts from accounts you follow in a chronological or algorithmic order. It’s your home base for keeping up with the people and brands you’ve chosen to connect with.
• Discover & Custom Feeds: This is where Bluesky truly shines. Custom feeds are timelines curated by other users based on specific topics, keywords, or interests. Instead of relying on a single, opaque algorithm, you can subscribe to niche feeds created by the community.

Want a feed dedicated solely to positive news? There's one for that. Cat pictures? Of course. A feed that only aggregates posts about academic research, design trends, or Formula 1? Absolutely. Tapping into custom feeds is the single best way to find your community quickly.

How to Find and Use Custom Feeds

1. Navigate to the # Discover section in the app.
2. Here you can browse popular and trending feeds.
3. Use the search bar at the top to search for feeds related to your interests (e.g., "marketing," "photography," "art," "tech").
4. Once you find a feed you like, you can "pin" it to your main navigation menu for easy access. Pinned feeds act as alternative timelines you can switch between with a single tap.

Spend your first few days searching for and "testing" different feeds. This will connect you with dozens of interesting accounts in your niche without having to search for them one by one.

Step 4: Crafting Your Content and Engagement Strategy

Bluesky's culture is highly conversational and less performative than other platforms. This is a massive opportunity for anyone tired of endlessly shouting into the void. To thrive, you need to participate, not just broadcast.

Your First Week To-Do List:

• Introduce Yourself: Your first post should be a simple introduction. Tell people who you are, what you’re interested in, and what you plan to talk about on the platform. Mention a few of your hobbies or interests to make genuine connections.
• Join Conversations: The most effective way to gain followers is by adding value to existing discussions. Find conversations in your custom feeds and leave thoughtful replies. Ask questions, offer advice, and share your perspective. A thoughtful reply is often more valuable than a standalone post.
• Find 5-10 "Core" Accounts to Follow: Search for well-known voices or brands in your niche and follow them. This will instantly start populating your "Following" feed with relevant content.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment: The community is new and forgiving. Test different types of content - behind-the-scenes looks, quick tips, interesting articles, open-ended questions - to see what resonates.

What to Post on Bluesky

A post (or "skeet") on Bluesky has a 300-character limit and can include photos, link cards, and alt text for images.

• Lead with value and personality. The best-performing content offers insight, humor, or starts a good conversation. Avoid hard-selling and cliche marketing speak.
• Share links and resources. Posting a link to a helpful article, a new tool you discovered, or your latest blog post is a great way to provide value. The auto-generated link cards are clean and visually appealing.
• Ask questions. Prompts like "What’s one tool you can’t live without?" or "Show me your current work-from-home setup" are excellent for sparking engagement.
• Reskeet and Quote Skeet. Share content from other users to show appreciation and add to the conversation. A "quote skeet" (similar to a quote tweet) lets you add your own commentary on top of someone else’s post. Use it to build on their idea or offer a counterpoint.

A Note on Hashtags

Hashtags aren't as integral to discovery on Bluesky as they are on platforms like Instagram or X. While you can use them, custom feeds and keyword searches are far more powerful for finding content. Use them sparingly to categorize a post, but don't rely on them for reach.

Bonus: Advanced Tips for Power Users

Ready to level up? Here are a couple of powerful features you can use once you're comfortable with the basics.

Set Up Your Custom Domain Handle

1. Go to your settings and select "Change Handle."
2. Choose the "I have my own domain" option.
3. Bluesky will provide you with specific DNS record information.
4. Log in to your domain registrar (like GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.) and add a new TXT record with the details provided by Bluesky.
5. Wait for the DNS to propagate (this can take a few minutes to an hour), then verify it back in the Bluesky app. Once verified, your handle will be your custom domain.

Again, this is a fantastic built-in verification method that adds immediate credibility to your brand or professional profile.

Use Moderation Tools to Curate Your Experience

Bluesky gives you robust control over what you see. In the "Moderation" settings, you can create and subscribe to mute lists, which hide content from specific users or containing certain words. It’s an easy way to tune out noise and keep your experience positive and productive.

Final Thoughts

Getting started on Bluesky is about more than just creating an account, it's about joining a community. By mastering the core features like custom feeds and focusing on genuine conversation, you can build meaningful connections and establish yourself as an authentic voice on a platform designed for a better kind of social networking.

As you add Bluesky to your social media strategy, keeping all your platforms organized can start to feel overwhelming. At a certain point, managing Instagram Reels, TikTok videos, LinkedIn articles, and now Bluesky conversations on top of everything else becomes a real challenge. That's why we built Postbase - to give you a single, visual calendar to plan and schedule all your content at a glance. Instead of bouncing between apps, we designed one clean space to help you see what’s going live and where, so you can focus on creating great content instead of just keeping up.