How to Move from Twitter to Bluesky

Thinking about making the leap from Twitter to Bluesky? You're not alone. This guide is your complete roadmap for not just creating a new account, but strategically moving your presence, rebuilding your community, and finding your footing on a new platform without losing momentum.

Before You Move: Understanding the Bluesky Difference

Jumping from Twitter to Bluesky isn't just about using a different app, it's about entering a different culture. Twitter is a massive, chaotic, fast-paced public square. Bluesky, by contrast, feels more like a collection of interconnected, smaller communities. Understanding the core differences is the first step toward a successful move.

The Vibe: Casual, Creative, and Community-Focused

The first thing most people notice about Bluesky is the atmosphere. It's lighter and more conversational. The timeline often feels less performative and more like a group chat with interesting strangers. For brands and creators, this means the hard-sell, corporate-speak approach that already fails on Twitter will bomb even harder here. People on Bluesky are there to connect, experiment, and share what they love. Your strategy needs to reflect that. It's less about broadcasting announcements and more about participating in conversations.

The Tech: Decentralization and Custom Feeds

Under the hood, Bluesky is built on something called the AT Protocol, a decentralized network. In simple terms, this means it's not controlled by a single company. While that has big long-term implications for the internet, what matters for you right now is how it changes the user experience. The standout feature driven by this tech is Custom Feeds.

On Twitter, you have two choices for your timeline: the algorithmic "For You" feed or the chronological "Following" feed. On Bluesky, anyone can create and share a custom feed based on any logic they want. For example:

• A feed that only shows posts from people in the graphic design community.
• A feed that pulls in every post that mentions cats (called "Cat-scrolling").
• A feed dedicated to news from verified journalists.
• A feed that only shows art, photography, or music.

This is the primary discovery engine on Bluesky. Instead of relying on a mysterious algorithm to show you things, you get to choose exactly what kinds of content you want to see. This is fundamental to finding your niche and growing your audience.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Bluesky Profile for Continuity

Making it easy for people to find and recognize you is your first mission. Your profile should be a clear signal to your Twitter followers that, yes, this is the real you.

Claim Your Handle

Your username on Bluesky works a little differently. You still have a main handle (like @yourname.bsky.social), but you can also set your domain name as your handle if you own one. This is a great way to verify your identity. For example, if you own yourbrand.com, you can make that your handle on Bluesky, adding an immediate layer of trust.

Action step: Try to get the same handle you have on Twitter. If it's taken, choose a close variation, but make sure your display name is identical to what your followers are used to seeing.

Optimize Your Bio and Profile Picture

This is not the time to get abstract. Use the exact same profile picture you use on Twitter. Your brain is wired for quick visual recognition, and a familiar avatar is the fastest way for someone scrolling to spot you.

In your bio, state clearly who you are and mention your old home. A simple line like "Graphic designer, formerly found at @yourname on that other bird app" does wonders. It confirms your identity and tells visitors you've migrated.

Action step: Update your profile with the same picture, display name, and a bio that links your new presence to your old one. Drop a link to your Bluesky profile in your Twitter bio to guide people over.

Step 2: Find Your People (and Help Them Find You)

You've landed in a new city, but it's no fun without friends. The next phase is all about reconnecting with your community and finding new like-minded people.

Announce Your Move on Twitter

Don't just disappear. Start talking about your move before you make it final. Post your Bluesky handle on Twitter a few times. Don't expect everyone to follow you on day one, migrations happen in waves. Make it a recurring, friendly "Hey, I'm also over here!" kind of post, not a dramatic exit announcement (unless that's your style).

Use Discovery Tools

Because so many people are moving from Twitter, the community has built tools to bridge the gap. Search for third-party websites or browser extensions that can scan your Twitter follows and see which of them are on Bluesky. This is the single fastest way to rebuild your "Following" list and get your timeline humming with familiar voices.

Start Following and Engage

Once you've found some familiar faces, start following them. But don't just lurk. The single most effective way to appear on someone's radar is to reply to their posts. A thoughtful reply is worth a thousand passive likes. It shows you're there to participate, not just to gain followers. Your initial goal isn't to be a broadcaster, it's to be a community member.

Step 3: Adapt Your Content Strategy

What worked on Twitter might need some tweaking for Bluesky's different environment. The core of your content will likely stay the same - you're still you - but the delivery method is important.

Shifting Your Tone of Voice

Dial down the promotional copy and dial up the personality. If you're a brand, this is an opportunity to showcase the humans behind the logo. Share behind-the-scenes thoughts, ask open-ended questions, and join in on popular jokes or memes. Corporate-speak and endless link drops will feel out of place. Think of it as moving from the keynote stage to the networking session afterward. The goal is dialogue, not a monologue.

Mastering Custom Feeds for Discovery

This is the most important strategic shift. Your visibility on Bluesky depends on custom feeds. You need to both participate in them and ideally, get your posts featured in them.

How to Use Feeds for Growth:

1. Find and Pin Relevant Feeds: Use the "Feeds" tab to search for topics in your niche. Are you a photographer? Find the "Photog-feed." A writer? Join the "Writers_Feed." Pin 3-5 of the most relevant ones to your home screen for easy access. Consistently engage with posts in these feeds.
2. Study the Feed's Logic: Every popular feed has a certain logic that pulls in posts. Some look for specific keywords or hashtags (e.g., #writing or #ArtPost). If you post content that matches a feed's criteria, you'll be automatically included, putting your work in front of hundreds or thousands of interested people who don't follow you yet.
3. Create Value in Niche Communities: Once you're participating in an interest-based feed, don't just broadcast. Become a valuable member. Share helpful advice, ask insightful questions, and celebrate other people's work. This is how you build a reputation and earn follows.

This replaces the "hashtag stuffing" strategy of other platforms. On Bluesky, context and community matter more than just tagging your content.

Step 4: Build Your New Community Through Engagement

Moving to Bluesky is a chance to build a more intentional and engaged community from the ground up. In the early days, you should focus far more on outbound engagement than on posting your own content.

The 80/20 Rule of Engagement

Spend 80% of your time on Bluesky replying to others, and only 20% of your time posting your own original content. This ratio will shift as you become more established, but it's a powerful way to accelerate your initial growth. Every reply you leave is a breadcrumb that leads people back to your profile.

Ask Questions and Encourage Discussion

Instead of just stating facts or sharing links, end your posts with questions. Invite people to share their own experiences or opinions. The goal is to start conversations that live in the replies, not just rack up likes on a post. Remember, Bluesky's culture rewards genuine interaction.

Don't Be Afraid to Start Over (Mentally)

Let's be realistic: you're moving from a place where you might have thousands of followers to one where you might have dozens. It can feel like you're shouting into the void. This is normal. Let go of the vanity metrics and embrace the opportunity to have real conversations. A post with 10 thoughtful replies on Bluesky can be more valuable for building a community than a post with 1,000 bots and angry replies on Twitter.

The growth on Bluesky is slower and more organic, driven by connection rather than viral outrage. Settle in, be patient, and focus on one good conversation at a time. The followers will come.

Final Thoughts

Moving from Twitter to Bluesky is less of a technical task and more of a strategic pivot. It's about adapting to a new culture, embracing different tools like custom feeds for discovery, and focusing on genuine community engagement over broadcast-style posting. The process is a marathon, not a sprint, but the payoff is a much more curated and intentional online experience.

Juggling an established presence on X while building a new one on Bluesky, Threads, and everywhere else can quickly become overwhelming. At Postbase, we built our platform specifically for this modern reality. I use it to get a bird's-eye view of my entire content schedule on a single visual calendar, which saves me from constantly switching between apps. It helps me see where the gaps are and keeps my content consistent as I navigate new platforms, making the whole process feel manageable instead of chaotic.