Bluesky Launches TikTok-Style Video Feature Amid Social Media Shake-Up
It’s been an eventful week in the world of social media. TikTok faced a 14-hour ban in the United States from January 18th to 19th, leaving its future uncertain. While the app has since returned, other platforms are seizing the opportunity to expand their reach.
Bluesky is one of the platforms stepping up with a new video-focused feature called Trending Videos. This TikTok-style vertical video experience is designed to engage users and attract a broader audience.
As a refresher, we explained in a previous blog post that Bluesky is a free, decentralized social media platform envisioned by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and developed alongside Twitter. With a user interface reminiscent of Twitter, it features algorithmic customization, a federated structure, and tools for community-specific moderation.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about this new feature.
Trending Videos
Bluesky’s Trending Videos feature is now accessible in the Explore tab on its mobile app. The company announced that users can swipe through a timeline of video posts, similar to TikTok’s vertical video feed. With this update, users can:
- Browse only video posts through dedicated video custom feeds.
- Pin video feeds to their home screens for easy access.
- Swipe vertically between videos for a seamless viewing experience.
A Step Toward Video-First Content
Bluesky’s decision to adopt a video-first approach aligns with broader industry trends. TikTok’s social media dominance has inspired features across Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and more. By integrating a similar format, Bluesky aims to cater to users who are accustomed to consuming short-form video content.
In a post on the app, Bluesky emphasized customization:
“We had to get in on the video action too—Bluesky now has custom feeds for video! Like any other feed, you can choose to pin these [to your home screen] or not. Bluesky is yours to customize.”
While the feature is still in its early stages, developers such as Tik.Blue, Skylight.Social, and Bluescreen.Blue are already building “video-only” TikTok alternatives on Bluesky’s decentralized AT Protocol.
Initial user reactions have been positive, with many welcoming the video feature. However, some users have suggestions for improvements, including longer video durations (the current limit is 60 seconds) and editing options for posts.
Bluesky’s efforts to attract new users are a result of broader shifts in the social media landscape. The platform has gained traction as a safe space for those who wanted to leave X, adding over 12 million users since the 2024 U.S. presidential election. With over 28 million users now on the platform, the addition of TikTok-style videos could make Bluesky more appealing to even more people.
The Bigger Picture
Bluesky isn’t the only social media platform making moves in the video space. X also launched a new “Video Tab” in the U.S. at the same time, offering a personalized feed of recommended videos across various topics. As more platforms prioritize video content, the competition to capture user attention continues to grow.
For now, Bluesky’s video feature marks an interesting step forward, offering users more ways to create and consume the types of content they love. Whether this update will help the platform compete with TikTok and other apps remains to be seen, but it’s a smart move considering all of the changes going on in the digital space.
Our team is watching all of these social media updates closely, and as more changes occur, our team will keep you informed. We’re here to guide you through the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing. Call, DM, or email at sbellem@bbrookstone.com to get started.
