Bluesky has its roots in Twitter. It was originally developed in 2019 by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, who envisioned a decentralized social network where users — not a corporate algorithm — controlled what they saw. The idea was that Twitter itself might one day adopt the technology. But after Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, now X, Bluesky split off completely and became its own independent platform.

Bluesky’s design harks back to the early days of social media. The interface is clean and intuitive, focusing on text, photos and links. Instead of a one-size-fits-all algorithm determining what you see, you decide what matters to you.

At its core, Bluesky operates on a decentralized framework known as the AT Protocol. No single entity controls the platform, granting users greater autonomy over their data and interactions. Unlike traditional social networks where decisions are made by a central authority, Bluesky’s open-source nature fosters transparency and community-driven development. That also means there’s no hidden algorithm tracking your every move, curating a feed designed to keep you clicking. Instead, your experience is entirely in your hands.

One of Bluesky’s most distinctive features is the ability to build your own feed by choosing from the hundreds of thousands of feeds available on the platform. You can start by selecting broad topics like literature, science, technology, business or history, then refine your experience by adding specific feeds that match your interests. Use the magnifying glass icon to search and browse recommended feeds to further customize your timeline.

Many feeds are open to everyone, allowing anyone to follow along, but some restrict posting to experts in the field. For example, an author feed may limit posts to published writers, while a science discussion feed might require contributors to have relevant credentials. This ensures high-quality content while still allowing broad access to discussions.

Because there’s no algorithm automatically injecting new accounts into your feed, you’re responsible for keeping it fresh. If your timeline starts feeling stale, it’s up to you to explore new feeds and accounts.

Starter Packs offer another way to build your feed quickly. These bundles of accounts are grouped by topic or interest, allowing you to follow an entire set with a single click. Discovering them, however, takes some effort. They’re not searchable in the app, so the creator has to share a link, send an in-app invitation, or use a QR code. If you’re looking for one, try searching online for “(name of organization) starter pack Bluesky.” That’s how I found The Wall Street Journal, PBS and The Economist. For a broader search, blueskydirectory.com lists over 240,000 Starter Packs covering nearly every interest imaginable.

Bluesky also stands apart in how it handles advertising. Unlike Facebook and X, which track users to deliver hyper-targeted ads, Bluesky does not collect user data for advertising purposes. Ads exist, but advertisers can only choose which feeds they appear in. That means you won’t be bombarded with promotions based on something you searched for days ago.

Since launching publicly in early 2024, Bluesky has grown steadily, attracting over 27 million users. Journalists, academics and well-known public figures have joined, including Neil deGrasse Tyson, Mark Cuban, Barbra Streisand, John Cusack and Stephen King. Whether you’re interested in science, business, entertainment or current events, there’s a good chance you’ll find familiar names on Bluesky.

If you’re ready to give Bluesky a try, visit bsky.app and create your account with an email address and a password. You’ll then make your handle (@username), choose broad topics of interest and that’s it. Don’t be dismayed by your initial feed — it takes just a few Starter Packs to transform it into a stream of interesting content.

The platform makes it easy to follow experts, stay informed and explore ideas without the chaos of traditional social media. If you’re looking for a space focused on learning and discussion rather than viral content and mindless scrolling, Bluesky might be worth a look.

Leslie Meredith has been writing about technology for more than a decade. Have a question? Email Leslie at asklesliemeredith@gmail.com.