Bluesky is set to unveil 'communities' this year, a new feature allowing users to engage in niche groups, according to head of product Alex Benzer. Built on the decentralized AT Protocol, these communities will offer spaces for users to connect over shared interests.
Community Features and Structure
According to Benzer, users will be able to create, join, and post in these communities, which will also exist on the open web. This flexibility allows for customization through other Atmospheric apps and tools. Each community will have a handle that serves as a URL, leading to a custom homepage. Builders may even host unique experiences on these pages.
Privacy Levels and User Experience
Communities will feature three privacy levels: public, invite-only, and private, each with its own feed. This structure is part of Bluesky's effort to shift away from being a 'public square' to more focused interactions, drawing inspiration from platforms like Reddit, as noted by COO Rose Wang.
Comparison with Other Platforms
This development comes as Meta's Threads tests a similar communities feature, and follows X's announcement in April to discontinue their communities feature. Bluesky's approach aims to provide a unique, customizable experience within the decentralized AT Protocol ecosystem.
Bluesky's move to incorporate communities represents a significant shift in the platform's strategy, aligning with trends in social media towards more intimate, dedicated spaces for user interaction.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/tech/948215/bluesky-communities-at-protocol-atmosphere-reddit
