Bluesky Post Template

Platform Specifications

• Character Limit: 300 characters (including spaces)
• Media Support: Up to 4 images, 1 video
• Link Handling: Links are displayed in full (not auto-shortened)
• Thread Support: Unlimited posts per thread
• Protocol: Built on AT Protocol (decentralized, open-source)
• Culture: Twitter-like, but emphasizes community moderation and open web

Platform Philosophy

Bluesky is built on principles of:

• User Control: You control your algorithm, moderation, and data
• Decentralization: Open protocol, no single company owns your network
• Safety: Robust blocking, muting, and custom moderation lists
• Open Source: Transparent development, community-driven features

Content Guidelines

Voice & Tone

• Authentic: Bluesky users value genuine, unfiltered voices
• Community-Oriented: Engage with others, don’t just broadcast
• Anti-Algorithm Gaming: No need for engagement bait (user-controlled feeds)
• Technical Appreciation: Users are early adopters, appreciate tech details
• Thoughtful: Quality over quantity (no pressure to post constantly)

Best Practices

1. Descriptive Links: No auto-shortening means links take up real estate
2. Alt Text Always: Strong accessibility culture, always add image descriptions
3. Custom Feeds: Create/subscribe to topic-specific feeds for discoverability
4. Starter Packs: Share curated lists of accounts to follow
5. Labels: Use content labels for sensitive content (not just NSFW)
6. Thread Thoughtfully: No arbitrary limits, but respect reader attention
7. Hashtags: Less common than Twitter (feeds > hashtags for discovery)

AT Protocol Features

• Custom Domains: Use your domain as your handle (@yoursite.com)
• Self-Hosting: Option to host your own data (Personal Data Server)
• Composable Moderation: Subscribe to third-party moderation services
• Algorithmic Choice: Subscribe to different feed algorithms

Post Structure

Standard Post (300 chars)

Thread Post (Opener)

🧵 Thread below

Thread Post (Body)

/

Technical Post

Why it matters:

Community Engagement

Context: 

What's your experience?

Example Templates

Announcement

🎉 

What's new:
• 
• 

Quick Tip

💡 

Hot Take

My reasoning:


Change my mind? 

Resource Share

 I'm loving right now:

 - 

Character Optimization Tips

With only 300 characters, every word matters:

Content Strategies

• Focus on One Idea: Don’t cram multiple points into one post (use threads)
• Front-Load Value: Lead with the insight, not the setup
• Use Threads for Depth: Continue thoughts in replies rather than cramming
• Link Strategically: Full URLs eat characters; consider link in bio or thread
• Abbreviate Wisely: Avoid text-speak, but “w/” and “&” are acceptable

Character Savers

• Remove articles: “the”, “a”, “an” (when clarity isn’t lost)
• Use numerals: “3” instead of “three”
• Em dashes over parentheticals: use — instead of (…)
• Bullet points: • or - instead of written lists

Hashtag Philosophy

Unlike Twitter, Bluesky discovery relies more on:

• Custom Feeds: Topic-specific algorithmic feeds
• Starter Packs: Curated account lists
• Follows: Building your network

When to Use Hashtags

• Events: Conference tags (#DevOpsDays, #KubeCon)
• Movements: Social/industry movements
• Searchability: When you want posts findable by search
• Sparingly: 1-2 hashtags max (Bluesky culture favors organic discovery)

Custom Feeds Strategy

Bluesky’s killer feature is user-controlled algorithms:

Creating a Custom Feed

1. Use feed generators to create topic-specific feeds
2. Share feed URLs for others to subscribe
3. Curate content streams for your niche

Discovery Tips

• Subscribe to feeds matching your interests
• Create feeds for your content themes
• Pin your top 3-5 feeds for easy access
• Share useful feeds with your network

Metadata Frontmatter

---
platform: bluesky
scheduled_time: 2025-01-15T14:00:00Z
source_content: /content/blog/my-post.md
media:
  - /assets/images/bluesky-image.png
  - alt_text: "Diagram showing microservices architecture with API gateway"
is_thread: false
thread_length: 1
content_labels:
  - none # or: sexual, graphic-media, nudity, etc.
custom_feed: tech-insights # which feed this belongs to
handle: yoursite.com # your custom domain handle
---

Content Labels

Bluesky has granular content warnings:

Common Labels

• None: Default, no warnings needed
• Sexual: Adult content
• Graphic Media: Violence, disturbing imagery
• Nudity: Artistic or non-sexual nudity
• Custom: Via third-party labelers

When to Label

• Err on the side of over-labeling
• Respect community norms (stronger than Twitter’s)
• Use labels for potentially triggering content, not just NSFW

Thread Best Practices

When to Thread

• ✅ Complex explanations requiring multiple steps
• ✅ Long-form storytelling
• ✅ Resource roundups (1 resource per post)
• ✅ Deep dives into technical topics
• ❌ Content that could be a single 300-char post
• ❌ Splitting for artificial engagement (no algo gaming)

Thread Structure

1. Opener: Set expectations (how many posts, what topic)
2. Body: One clear idea per post, numbered if sequential
3. Conclusion: Summarize key takeaway, add context link
4. Optional: Pin thread opener to your profile if evergreen

Alt Text Guidelines

Bluesky has strong accessibility norms:

Writing Good Alt Text

• Describe Content: What’s in the image?
• Provide Context: Why did you share it?
• Avoid Redundancy: Don’t repeat post text
• Be Concise: 1-2 sentences usually sufficient
• Text in Images: Transcribe any text shown

Example

Image: Screenshot of terminal showing Python error traceback with
highlighted line pointing to undefined variable 'usre' (typo of 'user').

Community Norms

Culture Differences from Twitter

• Less Viral: No quote tweets (by design), slower virality
• More Thoughtful: Emphasis on conversation over hot takes
• Decentralization: Many users care about open protocols
• Moderation: Proactive blocking/muting is normalized
• No Ads: Currently ad-free (AT Protocol design goal)

Engagement Etiquette

• Reply Thoughtfully: Short replies are fine, but add value
• Use Block Liberally: Encouraged for curating your experience
• Respect DNI: “Do Not Interact” lists/requests
• Boost Good Content: Repost (like retweet) sparingly, with intent
• No Engagement Farming: “RT for reach” culture doesn’t exist

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Treating it exactly like Twitter (different culture)
• ❌ Skipping alt text on images (strong accessibility norms)
• ❌ Over-hashtagging (feeds > hashtags for discovery)
• ❌ Posting without engaging (community-first platform)
• ❌ Ignoring custom domain handles (key differentiator)
• ✅ Engage authentically, not for algorithm points
• ✅ Use custom feeds to organize your interests
• ✅ Label content appropriately (over-label if unsure)
• ✅ Respect decentralization ethos (self-hosting, open source)

AI Prompt for Bluesky Post Generation

When using this template with AI:

Generate a Bluesky post about  that:
- Stays under 300 characters
- Uses an authentic, conversational tone
- Avoids engagement bait or algorithm gaming
- Includes 1-2 hashtags max (only if truly relevant): 
- Assumes a tech-savvy, early-adopter audience
- Focuses on quality over virality
- References source content: 

Key message: 
Content label: 
Target custom feed: 

Starter Pack Recommendations

When sharing Bluesky with others, create starter packs for:

• Your Niche: Curated accounts in your field
• Learning Resources: Educational accounts
• Community Leaders: Voices shaping the conversation
• Tools & Projects: Accounts sharing useful resources

Share starter pack links to help others onboard quickly.