With its latest update, Bluesky is changing the rules of how people interact on social media by finally adding strong notification filters to its fast-growing platform.
Bluesky’s new features are made for you if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by a lot of likes, mentions, and reposts.
This isn’t just another small change; it’s a major overhaul that gives users back control of their digital experience. Bluesky stands out from both old giants and new competitors.
This isn’t just another incremental tweak—it’s a thoughtful overhaul that puts users back in control of their digital experience, setting Bluesky apart from both legacy giants and upstart competitors.
How Bluesky’s Notification Filters Work
For years, platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) have let users choose which notifications they want to see and which ones they don’t. Bluesky, on the other hand, took a simpler approach at first and put all notifications in one place.
As a long-time user, I found this both refreshing and frustrating. It was refreshing because it felt less cluttered, but it was frustrating because important interactions were often buried under a pile of likes or generic engagement.
The most recent update has brought Bluesky up to par with its competitors and even surpassed them in some ways.
- Activity Notifications: You can now choose to get push and in-app notifications from certain accounts. Want to be the first to know about new content from a favorite creator or breaking news source? Want to be the first to see new content from a creator or news source you like?
- Improved Notification Settings: Bluesky lets you choose whether you want to get notifications from everyone, just the people you follow, or no one at all. You can use these preferences for almost all of your interactions, like replies, mentions, quotes, reposts, and even likes on things you’ve shared.
- Repost Notifications: You’ll now get notifications when someone likes or reposts something you’ve reposted. This is a subtle but powerful way to see how your actions affect others.
Important things to know about Bluesky
Getting Through the Noise: Social media is meant to bring us together, but constant notifications can do the opposite, distracting us, making conversations less meaningful, and even making us anxious. Bluesky’s decision to let users sort notifications by type and by relationship (everyone vs. people you follow) is a direct response to these problems.
Giving the user power: Bluesky’s dedication to giving users power is what stands out. The platform isn’t just copying what’s out there; it’s listening to what people say and making changes quickly. For example, people who want to stay in touch with a small group of people, like friends, thought leaders, or favorite brands, can turn on activity notifications for those accounts.
A Breath of Fresh Air: My Own Experience -> I can tell right away that the new filters are better because I’ve tried them. My notification tab feels lighter, and I’m not missing important replies from people I know well anymore. The ability to filter out noise without completely muting the platform is a huge deal, especially for creators and power users who are in a lot of conversations at once.
Bluesky vs. Other Platforms: A Comparison Table
Final words
The new notification filters from Bluesky aren’t just a technical improvement; they’re a sign of where social media is going. In a world where user attention is the most valuable currency, giving people the power to shape their own experience is both brave and necessary.
If you’re already on Bluesky, go to your settings and try out the new controls. This update is a great reason for people who are still unsure to try the platform. You should be able to use social media, not the other way around. The application is finally making that happen.
