Bluesky Expands Long-Form Content Capabilities

Bluesky, the decentralized social networking startup, has rolled out a new version of its app that integrates with Standard.site, a community project for building long-form content on the AT Protocol.

Unlocking Long-Form Content on the Open Social Web

This integration enables Bluesky users to explore content beyond microblogs, or the short posts that Bluesky is known for. Instead, they can read articles, blog posts, and newsletters published across the wider network of AT Protocol-powered apps, known as the 'Atmosphere.' This includes sites like Leaflet, pckt, and Offprint, which cater to independent writers and publishers who want to own their content and expand their distribution across the open web.

The updated version of Bluesky (v1.122) also includes a handful of other features, the company noted, including a refreshed GIF picker and photo viewer, and expanded moderation labeling at the account level, and a fix for a bug that was silently dropping some iOS video uploads.

How It Works

This new feature is made possible by the integration with Standard.site's lexion records, which basically means that your blog becomes data on the AT Protocol itself, instead of just a link you're sharing on an app like Bluesky. Because of this, any app compatible with the AT Protocol could allow its users to read WordPress blog posts.

• This marks the second expansion of Bluesky's capabilities based on other projects built by community members. In February, a startup called Germ became the first private messaging service that could launch directly from Bluesky's app, thanks to a similar integration.

Competing with X

However, the advantage that X offers in terms of distribution is its 550 million monthly active users – something that Bluesky's open social rival may never be able to beat. The decentralized social networking startup is trying to change this by building the technology infrastructure alongside its social networking client application, allowing it to leverage other apps and services also running on the AT Protocol.

• By doing so, Bluesky is able to tap into the distribution provided by its network of some 44.5 million registered users, making it an attractive option for content creators looking to expand their reach.

A New Vision for the Open Social Web

This integration is just the beginning of Bluesky's vision for the open social web – one where data itself is open and freely distributable, accessible from any client, and where users can move between personal data servers (PDS) at will. Bluesky was the first PDS, but now there are others to choose from, including those offered by Eurosky, Blacksky, Northsky, and others.