How to Post Videos on Bluesky

Posting videos on Bluesky is entirely possible, and it's a fantastic way to make your profile stand out as the platform grows. While it started as a text-first network, video functionality has arrived, opening up new ways to connect and share. This guide will walk you through exactly how to upload your videos, cover the essential technical requirements, and give you actionable tips for creating video content that resonates with the Bluesky community.

Can You Post Videos on Bluesky? Yes, But Here's the Catch

Absolutely! You can now upload videos directly to Bluesky from both the desktop website and the mobile app. When the platform was in its early invite-only stages, video was not supported, and the only way to share was by linking to external sites like YouTube. While you can still do that for longer content, native video is now here and it's ready for you to use.

The functionality is still a bit more basic compared to video-centric platforms like Instagram or TikTok. You won't find built-in editing tools, trending audio libraries, or advanced analytics just yet. However, this simplicity can be a breath of fresh air. It puts the focus squarely on the content itself. Think of it as an opportunity to get in on the ground floor and establish your video presence while the platform’s culture is still taking shape. Simple, direct video clips often perform wonderfully here.

Step-by-Step: How to Upload a Video to Bluesky

The process for uploading a video is straightforward and feels a lot like adding a photo to a post. Whether you're on your computer or phone, the steps are nearly identical.

1. From the Desktop Website

If you're crafting posts from your laptop or desktop, the process takes just a few clicks:

1. Navigate to the Bluesky website and make sure you're logged in.
2. Click the big blue “New Post” button at the top of the left-hand sidebar to open the composer window.
3. In the composer, look for the icons at the bottom. Click the one that looks like a landscape (the image icon).
4. Your file explorer will open. Navigate to the video file you want to upload, select it, and click “Open.”
5. You’ll see a thumbnail preview of your video appear in the composer. Now, write your post's text in the main text box. This is where you'll add your caption, context, or any Calls to Action (CTAs).
6. Once you’re happy with your text and video, click the “Post” button to publish it to your feed.

2. From the Mobile App (iOS & Android)

Sharing a video from your phone is just as simple, letting you easily upload clips you’ve just recorded or edited.

1. Open the Bluesky app on your iOS or Android device.
2. Tap the blue circle with a feather or plus sign icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to start a new post.
3. At the bottom of the composer screen, tap the image icon on the left.
4. This will open your phone’s media library. Select the video you wish to share and tap "Add."
5. Similar to the desktop experience, a thumbnail will load into your post. Type out the rest of your post in the text field above.
6. When everything looks good, tap the “Post” button in the top right corner.

Getting it Right: Bluesky Video Specifications and Best Practices

To avoid frustrating upload errors or videos that don’t look right, it helps to understand the technical limitations and a few best practices. Following these guidelines will give your content the best chance to perform well.

Bluesky Video File Requirements

Keep these technical specs in mind when preparing your video files. Because Bluesky is newer, these limits are a bit tighter than on more established platforms.

• File Format: MP4 is the gold standard. While other formats might sometimes work, your safest bet for compatibility and smooth uploads is to use an MP4 container, ideally encoded with H.264 video and AAC audio.
• File Size Limit: This is the big one. Bluesky currently has a file size limit of roughly 100MB. If your video is larger than that, the upload will fail. You'll need to compress it or trim it down before trying again.
• Video Length: There isn't a hard-coded time limit, but the file size limit effectively creates one. For a typical 1080p video, you'll find that your clips will need to be around 90 to 120 seconds to stay under the 100MB cap. For best results, aim for conciseness.
• Resolution & Aspect Ratio: Bluesky supports various resolutions and aspect ratios, but since most users are on mobile, vertical video (like a 9:16 aspect ratio) is your best bet. It fills the screen and grabs attention. A resolution of 1080p (1080x1920) is perfect - anything higher like 4K will quickly bloat your file size with little visible benefit on a small screen.

Best Practices for Engaging Bluesky Videos

• Keep it Short and Punchy: The most effective videos on feeds get straight to the point. Aim to deliver your message or hook the viewer within the first few seconds. Quick tips, funny moments, and concise behind-the-scenes clips work exceptionally well.
• Create a Custom Thumbnail: Bluesky generates a video’s thumbnail from its very first frame. Use this to your advantage! In your video editor, make the first frame of your video a custom thumbnail - it could be a title card, an interesting freeze-frame, or a unique graphic. This gives you control over how your video appears in the feed before someone hits play.
• Optimize for Silent Viewing: Just like on other social platforms, many users scroll with their sound off. To make sure your message lands, use burned-in captions or subtitles. Text overlays can also help guide the viewer’s eye and provide context without sound. This also makes your content more accessible to everyone.
• Use Your Post Text Wisely: Your post's text is crucial for context. Since there's no separate title or description field, use the accompanying text to frame the video, ask an engaging question, or tell a brief story that encourages people to watch.
• Add Alt Text: You can add alt text to your videos, just like you would with images. After you upload your video, you’ll see an “ALT” tag appear on the thumbnail. Click it to add a description of what’s happening in the video. This is great for accessibility and helps visually impaired users understand your content.

Beyond Native Uploads: Other Ways to Share Videos

If your video is too long, exceeds the file size limit, or you just want to drive traffic to your other channels, sharing a link is still an effective strategy.

Linking to YouTube, Vimeo, or a Blog Post

Sharing links to external video platforms is incredibly easy and an excellent workaround for longer content. When you paste a link from YouTube or Vimeo into a Bluesky post, the platform automatically generates a rich link preview, which includes the video’s thumbnail, title, and channel name. This is a great way to:

• Share videos longer than two minutes.
• Drive traffic and subscribers back to your YouTube channel.
• Post highly polished content where production value is key, without worrying about compression.

Simply write a compelling teaser in your post text, then drop the link at the end.

Using Animated GIFs

Don't forget about GIFs! Bluesky has great support for them, and they function as short, auto-playing, silent videos. GIFs are perfect for sharing memes, quick reactions, or short animated clips. They are attention-grabbing and often have a much smaller file size than a full MP4 video, making them a quick and easy way to add motion to your feed.

What Kind of Videos Should You Post on Bluesky?

The vibe on Bluesky is still pretty casual and conversational. Polished, corporate-style video often feels out of place. Here are a few content ideas that align well with the platform's current culture:

Quick Tips and Tutorials

Is your brand an expert in something? Share it in a 60-second video. A software dev can show a quick coding hack, a cook can show how to chop an onion, or a marketer can share a quick tip for writing better headlines. These are valuable and easily shareable.

Behind-the-Scenes (BTS) Content

Show the human side of your brand or creative process. This could be a glimpse of your workspace, the team working on a project, or a quick outtake from a bigger video shoot. BTS content builds authenticity and connection.

Video Replies and Commentary

Instead of just quote-posting a text response, reply with a quick video sharing your thoughts. It’s a more personal way to engage in conversations and helps you stand out in a thread.

Showing Off a Product or Project

A quick, lo-fi video demonstrating a product feature or showing off the details of your latest handcrafted item can be much more compelling than a static photo. No need for a big production - just good lighting and a clear shot from your phone can do the trick.

Final Thoughts

Posting video on Bluesky is a simple and effective way to elevate your social strategy on one of the internet's most exciting new platforms. Once you get the hang of the file size limits and follow a few best practices like optimizing for silent viewing and creating a custom thumbnail, you'll be able to share engaging motion content with ease. Whether you upload short native clips or link out to longer features, video gives you a powerful tool to connect with your growing audience.

As you incorporate video across more platforms like Bluesky, Instagram, and TikTok, keeping all of your content planned and scheduled can feel like a heavy lift. At Postbase, we designed our tool for exactly this modern, video-first reality. We focused on making it incredibly simple to schedule your short-form videos to all your channels from one place, giving you a visual calendar to see your entire strategy at a glance. Our goal is to help you spend less time fighting with clunky tools and more time creating great content.