Social network Bluesky is rolling out a new version of the software that employs some of the features previously X users have missed. No, it's not an edit button! Instead, open social networks have added support for chat responses to direct messaging features, directing search pages to “exploring”, and directing users to trends, recommended accounts, starter packs and more.
Both of these features are inspired by X. This allows users to respond directly to messages using emojis from 2020 onwards. X will expand its functionality in a few years, allowing users to select emojis beyond the default set.
Bluesky offers the same thing. This is because users can add a response by clicking the emoji button next to a person's message. The first pop-up features a handful of common emojis, such as hearts, thumbs, eyes, sad faces and laughter faces. However, users can click on the 3-dot menu and select other emojis as reactions, just like what X can do.
Image credit: Bluesky
In particular, the BlueSky search page is becoming more useful with new releases. This helps you connect users to trends on your network. Such features may not be much of a point when Bluesky was small, but with a significant user base of over 34 million users now it's easier to find trends that are emerging in many debates on the platform.
For example, some of today's trends are related to timely events such as Trump's tariffs and its impact, but like Bookky's readers, it refers to popular communities on Bluesky. Trends are marked with labels such as “new” or “hot.”
Image credit: Bluesky
Additionally, the new Explore page allows users to enter their own interests and better personalize the content they are viewing in Bluesky. We also offer suggestions for accounts to follow within a variety of categories, including art, sports, music, comics, politics, science, news, animals, books, video games, and more.
Below this, the app offers an interesting starter pack, or a curated list of users that newcomers can click and follow, as well as suggestions for other popular custom feeds like NFL+.
Image credit: Bluesky
Earlier this week, Bluesky CTO Paul Frazee praised Darrin Loeliger's recent hiring for his latest Explore page, saying he showed his team the “benefits of hiring a designer.”
Although added, these new updates will make previous X users feel comfortable when they join BlueSky. To access similar tools, interact with friends, discover discussions, people, and interests.