Social networking startup and decentralized X competitor Bluesky is rolling out new features designed to make its platform less toxic and conversations less combative.
The company introduced several anti-abuse features, including the ability to hide replies and detach original posts from quote posts, aiming to limit harassment and abusive interactions.
👉 Details of Bluesky: Unraveling the Decentralized Rival to Twitter
Key Anti-Abuse Features
Hide Replies
Bluesky now allows users to hide replies on their posts. While the replies remain public, they are placed behind a "Hidden replies" screen, making it less likely that users will click through to read potentially spammy or unhelpful remarks.
image source: Bluesky
Detach Quote Posts
The new detach quote feature enables users to view all quote posts associated with a given post and remove their original post from someone else’s quote post.
This aims to reduce the ability for users to "dunk" on others and send them hate, helping to maintain control over the conversation thread and limit harassment.
Priority Notifications
Bluesky also introduced an option for priority notifications, allowing users to receive notifications only from people they follow. This feature is particularly useful for those with larger followings, helping them see the replies and updates they’re most interested in.
image source: Bluesky
Additional Moderation Tools
Labeling Services
Bluesky plans to rely on labeling services for moderation, where labels are added to posts by various moderation services.
Unlike centralized moderation teams, Bluesky allows developers and communities to build their own labeling and moderation services, supported by small monetary grants to encourage development.
Future Integration of Community Notes
Bluesky hopes to integrate a Community Notes-like feature in the future. On X, Community Notes serve as a crowd-sourced fact-checking tool that relies on finding consensus among diverse viewpoints. Bluesky has not yet specified when this feature will be added.
Changes to Reply Visibility
Timeline Adjustments
Bluesky is changing how replies show up in users’ timelines. Instead of displaying every reply in the Following feed, only replies involving at least two people you follow will be shown. This change aims to keep replies from being separated from the top-level post and allows users to bump older posts to the top of their followers’ feeds without reposting.
Editor’s Comments
Bluesky's introduction of these anti-abuse features is a commendable step towards creating a healthier online environment. By allowing users to hide replies, detach quote posts, and prioritize notifications, the platform is making strides in reducing toxicity and harassment.
However, the impact of these changes on user engagement and interaction remains to be seen, and Bluesky's willingness to listen to user feedback will be crucial in refining these features.
Follow Us on Facebook
