The Bluesky decentralized social media platform launched in 2023, initially as an invite-only beta. Now, millions of new users are joining. At the peak in November 2024, one million people signed up for Bluesky accounts per day. The boom in registrations was largely driven by the continued disillusionment with — and downfall of — the platform normally known as Twitter.
Bluesky users are happy to see the app’s reminiscence to Twitter days of old, with feeds that show posts in chronological order and according to the user’s interests. Even down to the branding and coloring — a blue butterfly takes the spot of the iconic blue bird — Bluesky is ringing familiar for many. That’s not surprising, given that Bluesky has some shared roots with Twitter.
All the buzz stirs up a common question: should I get on Bluesky? It’s worth a shot if you want to build relationships and brand recognition that can help your SEO down the line.
Is Bluesky good for SEO?
In general, social media marketing is good for SEO. That includes Bluesky!
Don’t limit your thinking about SEO to just organic results and ads. Any efforts to bring visitors to your website is a win. If you have something interesting to read, promote the content on Bluesky. There’s plenty that you can do with your code, too, to ensure that your content displays correctly on this social media platform.
Using a platform like Bluesky or other social media is also essential for building brand recognition. More than 44% of searches are for brands — names that your customers already know. Efforts to educate potential customers about your brand will go a long way in driving those searches. Bluesky may be a good touchpoint for this brand awareness, especially as the platform grows.
What we know and don’t know about using Bluesky for SEO
Many Twitter/X personalities have migrated to Bluesky
Twitter was the place to be for many online communities of professionals, like journalists and CEOs. As Twitter’s user experience has gone downhill and its content distasteful (to say the least), many in these communities started posting on both Twitter and Bluesky, or left the bird app altogether. You’ll see many familiar faces on Bluesky, which will get you started in the right direction as you build community.
Your domain is your verification system
Unlike other platforms that use a checkmark system for verification, Bluesky lets you use your own domain. This allows you to use your own website to store your content. It also acts as a layer of verification for your profile, because only owners of the domain can complete verification. These things are a bit technical to set up, but we can help with that.
Businesses haven’t made the migration — yet
Most of the content you’ll find on Bluesky comes from individuals. Social media personalities and influencers, thought leaders, podcast hosts, and everyday people just here for the memes make up the bulk of the users you’ll find so far.
Some brands have made their way to Bluesky, but they’re not by any means pushing to gain followers on the platform. Wendy’s brought its chaotic energy to Bluesky, but a search for Starbucks doesn’t turn up a corporate account just yet. This isn’t uncommon for the earliest days of a platform. Still, though, it’s an indicator that this is very much a space to build up your thought leadership and profile.
Hashtags work
Just like Twitter/X and Instagram, hashtags are an effective way to get your content sorted out on Bluesky. If using Bluesky on desktop, you can click on the hashtag. You’ll have an option to search all posts that use that hashtag, or posts by that particular user that incorporate the hashtag.
If using the mobile app, tapping on a hashtag will take you to all posts that include that hashtag. There are two views here: “top” and “latest.” Top takes you to posts with high engagement or relevance, while latest shows posts with the hashtag in chronological order. You’ll have this same view while using the desktop app.
Safety and reporting are taken seriously
Where moderation — or lack thereof — has been a serious problem on Meta, Twitter/X, and TikTok, Bluesky is setting the bar high. (One may argue that Bluesky’s high bar is on the ground floor, but moderation on social media is effectively in the sub-basement, or maybe down in the subway.)
There is no Bluesky for SEO playbook
If someone is trying to sell you a Bluesky for SEO course or information, run the other way. There is no magic key that makes Bluesky an instant rocket ship to the top of the search engine results pages (SERPs) for your brand. There are some best practices to apply, sure, but we are way too early into Bluesky’s adoption to make definite claims.
Why thought leadership matters for SEO, and how that relates to Bluesky
People crave unique points of view in a sea of generic content. We’ve seen this trending for years with Google. Representatives have said time and again that hands-on expertise and experience have a better shot over material that could have been written by anyone. You may have heard the abbreviation “EEAT” — expertise, experience, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness — in this regard.
As search continues to evolve — and perhaps-to-likely evolve drastically — your own credibility will have a role to play. A space like Bluesky, as of this writing, is well-positioned to help build up your own personal brand and your place in your industry (and by extension, your company).
Finally, people relate to people. The more you can share your own point of view, the more likely you are to generate interest in the products and services you offer.
Tips for using Bluesky and growing your audience
Create your handle now
Whether you plan to post on Bluesky or not, it’s a good idea to grab your username early on. You don’t want imitators or competitors trying to encroach on your intellectual property. We recommend claiming your handle, filling out the profile bio, and adding your logo as a profile picture, a cover photo, and links to your website, as well as any relevant hashtags. Even if you aren’t eager to become a Bluesky superstar, setting up your account ensures that nobody else can have it.
Get on Starter Packs
A Starter Pack lets Bluesky users follow everyone on that list with a single click. Many Starter Packs are grouped by interest or industry. Consider making one based on what you do and encourage followers to sign up for it. Perhaps others will add you to their Starter Packs in kind, or you can politely ask owners of other Starter Packs to add you if you’re relevant to the theme.
There are also Lists on Bluesky, but they serve a different function than Starter Packs. Lists are meant to be for your own purposes and organization, so you can see people by feed. For example, if you want to see posts from women CEOs, you can create a women CEOs list and navigate to it when you want to read those posts.
Engage with the right people
Bluesky has the same community-centric energy that Twitter (used to?) have. You’ll find fun jabs, silly trends, serious news discussions, and nowhere near as much name-calling and mudslinging as the content that made its home on Twitter/X for so long. Enter the foray to start building the feeds you want to see.
While Bluesky’s been around since 2023, you’re still getting in on the ground floor. Take advantage of the platform’s smaller pool of users to make a splash and connect with like-minded people, target clients, or people who you’d like to work with down the line. Bluesky’s 22 million-plus users may be overshadowed by LinkedIn’s 1 billion monthly active users, but that just means you have more opportunity to cut through the clutter. Use it to your advantage.
Is it worth trying Bluesky? We think so.
The “new bird app” has truly taken flight, and getting in on the ground floor means you’ll have an advantage when and if this platform continues to grow. Jump in now and spend a few minutes a day finding like-minded accounts and engaging with your target market. Check in with SEO experts like The Stellastra Effect to ensure your content is properly optimized for visibility on Bluesky. With a few tweaks, and a few interesting things to say, Bluesky’s personal brand-building potential may unlock the right doors.
