How to Post on Bluesky

Learning how to post on Bluesky is simple on the surface, but mastering its small, powerful details is what helps you actually connect with people. This guide will walk you through everything from crafting your first post to using the platform’s unique features, so you can start building a presence and engaging with its growing community from day one.

The Anatomy of a Bluesky Post (or "Skeet")

First thing's first: on Bluesky, a post is colloquially called a "skeet." While the platform itself just calls it a "post," embracing the slang helps you sound like you belong. Composing a post is straightforward, but its specific features set it apart from other platforms like X or Threads.

Step 1: Composing Your Text

To start, tap the big blue compose button (a feather pen icon) at the bottom right corner of your screen. This opens up the post composer. Here’s what you need to know:

• Character Limit: You have 300 characters to get your message across. This is slightly more than the default on X but less than many other platforms, so brevity is your friend.
• What to Write: The culture on Bluesky is still evolving but generally leans toward a more casual, conversational, and less performative vibe than other major social networks. It’s a great place for work-in-progress thoughts, genuine questions, and connecting with people over shared interests. Don't overthink it, just be yourself.

Step 2: Adding Visuals and Media

Text is great, but visuals are what stop the scroll. Bluesky allows you to attach up to four images to a single post. Tap the photo icon in the post composer to select images from your device’s gallery.

Why Alt Text Matters More Than Ever

Once you’ve added an image, a small "ALT" button will appear on the thumbnail. Tap it. This allows you to add alternative text, which is a short description of the image. This is not just a nice-to-have, it's essential for a few reasons:

• Accessibility: Alt text allows users who rely on screen readers to understand the visual content of your post. It makes the internet a more inclusive place.
• Community Norms: The Bluesky community strongly values accessibility. Posts without alt text are often gently called out, and adding it is a signal that you're an engaged, considerate member of the platform.
• How to Write Good Alt Text: Be descriptive but concise. Describe what is happening in the photo. For example, instead of just "dog," write "a golden retriever catching a red frisbee in a sunny park."

Step 3: Creating Rich Link Previews

One of Bluesky’s best features is its clean, informative link previews, often called "link cards." When you paste a URL into your post, Bluesky automatically pulls metadata from that website - specifically the title, a brief description, and a featured image - to create a clickable card.

Here’s the pro move:

1. Paste your URL into the composer.
2. Wait a second for the link card to appear beneath your text.
3. Once the card has loaded, you can delete the raw URL from your text box.

The card will remain, clearing up character space so you can write a better introduction for your link. This small trick makes your post look much cleaner and more professional.

Level Up Your Posting: Advanced Techniques

Once you’ve got the basics down, you can start using some of Bluesky's more nuanced features to better shape how your content is seen and discovered. These tools help you engage more thoughtfully with the community.

How to Create Threads

Have a thought that doesn't fit into 300 characters? Threads are the answer. Unlike some platforms that have a dedicated "add thread" button, creating a thread on Bluesky is done manually and intuitively.

1. Write and publish your first post.
2. Find your post on your timeline and tap the "reply" icon.
3. Write the next part of your thought in the reply composer and post it.

That’s it! Replying to your own post automatically chains it into a thread. For long threads, it's a common courtesy to number your posts (e.g., "1/5," "2/5") so readers know how long the story is.

When should you use a thread?

• Storytelling: Share a step-by-step account of an event, a project, or a personal experience.
• Tutorials: Break down a complex topic into digestible, numbered steps.
• Expanded Thoughts: Use it to elaborate on a news story, a piece of research, or a strong opinion that requires more space and nuance.

Using Hashtags Effectively (It’s Not What You Think)

This is one of the biggest differences between Bluesky and other platforms. On Bluesky, hashtags (like #socialmedia) are not clickable links. They do not group posts together in the same way they do on Instagram or X. So, why use them?

Hashtags on Bluesky are primarily used for searchability and discovery within custom algorithms, known as "Custom Feeds." Users can search for a hashtag, and custom feeds can be built to collect posts containing specific hashtags. Because of this, the best practice is to be minimal and intentional.

• Use 1-3 highly relevant hashtags. Don't litter your post with a dozen tags.
• Place them at the end of your post. This keeps the main body of your text clean and readable.
• Think of them as keywords, not as links to a conversation.

Content Warnings and Language Selection

Bluesky gives you powerful tools to control how your posts are displayed, which promotes a more considerate and user-controlled environment.

Content Warnings (CWs)

In the post composer, you'll see a shield icon. Tapping this allows you to add a content warning. This hides your post behind a customizable label, and users have to tap again to reveal the content. This isn't just for explicit or potentially triggering media, it's a versatile tool used for:

• Spoilers: Discussing the latest movie or TV show? Use CW Spoilers to be kind to those who haven't seen it yet.
• Sensitive Topics: Topics like politics, mental health, or other heavy subjects can be placed behind a CW to give people the option to engage or scroll by.
• Just for fun: Some users use it for long rants (CW Rant) or terrible puns (CW Bad Joke) as a fun, stylistic choice.

Using CWs thoughtfully is a sign of good community etiquette on the platform.

Language Selection

Next to the CW icon is a globe icon. This lets you select the language your post is written in. Setting the correct language helps the Bluesky discovery algorithm show your post to the right people and allows users to filter their feeds by language. It’s a small step that improves content discovery for everyone.

What to Post: Finding Your Rhythm on Bluesky

Learning the technical steps of how to post is one thing. Knowing what to post to build a following and make genuine connections is another.

Because Bluesky is decentralized and still growing, its culture is more about conversation and less about broadcasting. It's a throwback to the earlier days of social media, where the goal was to talk with people, not just at them.

Embrace Authenticity

Polish and perfection aren't as prized here. Share your rough thoughts, ask for advice, and post about your hobbies. People want to connect with other real people. If your brand is highly corporate, consider what a more casual, human version of it sounds like. This is the place to test that voice.

Lean into Niche Interests with Custom Feeds

This is the killer feature of Bluesky. Custom Feeds are timelines built by other users based on specific keywords, hashtags, or users. There are feeds for everything: #Art, #SciComm (Science Communication), #BookSky, specific video games, cat photos, and more.

Find and pin a few feeds that align with your interests or industry. By posting content that fits the theme of these feeds (and maybe using the feed's preferred hashtag), you get your posts directly in front of people who are already interested in what you have to say. It's an incredibly powerful tool for organic audience building.

Final Thoughts

Posting on Bluesky is an intuitive process, but thriving on the platform comes from understanding its unique features and community standards. By combining well-crafted text with good-looking visuals, utilizing threads for deeper stories, and respecting norms like alt text and content warnings, you can build meaningful connections and a real presence.

As you get comfortable on Bluesky while still growing your audience on established platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X, juggling all that content can become overwhelming. To help with that, we built Postbase as a clean, simple way to manage everywhere else. It’s a modern tool with one visual calendar to plan, schedule, and analyze your social media, so you can focus on building communities instead of bouncing between a dozen different apps.