Recently, the decentralized social media network, founded by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, Bluesky, introduced a Trending Topics feature that has boosted user engagement and interaction.
The new feature was announced on December 25, 2024, and allows users to easily access the most discussed topics on the platform, marking an important step in the evolution of Bluesky, which competes with established rivals such as Threads and X (formerly Twitter).
Overview of the Trending Topics Feature
The trending topics feature is available in beta. This is a feature that’s available on both desktop and mobile platforms. It represents a list of viral content as well as the most popular discussions happening at any point in time on Bluesky.
Users can locate this feature by clicking on the search icon, and it will show trending topics very boldly between the search bar and recommended content. The design is to keep users abreast of what is attracting attention on the platform.
How does it work on Bluesky?
Every time a user clicks on a trending topic, he or she is taken to a feed of the latest posts concerning that topic. This is how it helps users keep themselves updated while also participating in a live conversation. For instance, some of the trending topics when the app launched included “Christmas,” “Nosferatu,” and “Wikipedia,” showing a great deal of variety in the interests of users.
Bluesky has implemented several user-friendly features within the Trending Topics section. Users can opt out of seeing trending topics by navigating to Settings > Content and Media and disabling the option. Additionally, any words or phrases that users have muted will not appear in the trending feed, allowing for a more personalized experience.
This level of personalization is particularly alluring in the contemporary social media world, wherein the users’ needs stand above everything.
Competitive Landscape
Trending Topics pits Bluesky against the likes of other platforms that have also had such features but have confined them to regions like the United States and Japan. Bluesky trending topics are available throughout the world but are as of now only in the English language.
This broader approach is an attempt to attract a wider audience as Bluesky continues to grow at a rapid pace; it recently reached 25 million users, mainly because people are leaving other platforms in the wake of significant political events in the U.S.
Notably, the growth path of Bluesky is impressive. Just one month after the recent U.S. elections, the platform saw a rise of 10 million new users in one month, which indicates how this alternative social media space offers fewer bots and less harassment compared to competitors like X.
Features such as Trending Topics are part of its strategy to further enhance user engagement and retain its growing user base.
Future Developments of Bluesky
Bluesky has branded this feature as V1, meaning that the product is still in a beta version and will be developed based on the feedback of the users. The company has encouraged the public to share their experiences as well as suggestions for improvement as a community-driven approach toward developing features.
As Bluesky continues to improve its service, it may introduce features such as bookmarks or editing capabilities, which are still some of the most requested by its user base.
The Trending Topics feature marks a turning point for Bluesky in its quest to find its footing firmly in the competitive social media landscape.
This is because Bluesky allows users to gain insights into trending discussions while still maintaining personal management of content. This move does not only enhance the user experience but also makes it a feasible alternative to much more established platforms. As Bluesky iterates on this feature and listens to its users, it may end up cementing its place in the ever-evolving world of social media.
