Bluesky to Introduce ‘Followers Only’ Reply Option for Greater User Control

Bluesky is set to roll out a new “followers only” reply setting, giving users more control over who can respond to their posts. Paul Frazee, a developer at BlueSky, confirmed that the release includes a default reply setting designed to ensure consistency across user postings.

The company has developed this new feature to distinguish its platform from prominent competitors, namely X, founded by Elon Musk, and Threads, created by Meta, by incorporating advanced moderation capabilities for users. The newly introduced “followers only” setting by Bluesky signifies a unique approach to reply restrictions, surpassing the capabilities currently offered by X and Threads.

According to Frazee, the feature assists users in mitigating the intensity of viral moments and alleviating “context collapse” that occurs when posts are disseminated to unintended audiences who may misconstrue their meaning.

The newly introduced feature, which has been a persistent request from Bluesky users, will not influence the visibility of a post; rather, it will solely determine the individuals permitted to respond. Furthermore, the foundational AT Protocol that underpins Bluesky is set to be enhanced in order to accommodate this functionality in the future.