Bluesky is getting ‘communities’

2026-06-11 · Source: The Verge · Field: Technology & Digital — Software Development & Engineering, Emerging Technologies & Innovation · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, quick

Summary

Bluesky is set to launch "communities" later this year, introducing smaller, focused spaces for users to engage with shared interests. These communities will operate on the decentralized AT Protocol, part of the broader "Atmosphere" ecosystem, according to Head of Product Alex Benzer. Core features include the ability to create, join, post, and receive updates within Bluesky, with customization and additional features possible through other Atmospheric apps and tools. Each community will have a unique handle that functions as a URL, leading to a custom homepage or a builder-hosted experience. Three privacy levels—public, invite-only, and private—will be available, and each community will feature its own dedicated feed. This move aligns with Bluesky COO Rose Wang's statement about shifting away from a "public square" model, drawing inspiration from platforms like Reddit, while Meta's Threads tests similar features and X recently discontinued its own communities.

Key takeaway

For community managers or developers evaluating decentralized social platforms, Bluesky's upcoming "communities" feature presents a compelling model. You gain significant control over community experiences through custom homepages and integration with other Atmospheric apps, alongside flexible privacy settings. This contrasts with centralized platforms, offering a more tailored and less "public square" environment for focused engagement. Consider exploring the AT Protocol's capabilities for building bespoke social spaces.

Key insights

Bluesky is introducing decentralized, customizable "communities" on the AT Protocol for focused user engagement.

Principles

• Decentralization enables custom community experiences.
• Community handles double as unique URLs.

In practice

• Create and join interest-based communities.
• Builders can host custom community experiences.

Topics

• Bluesky
• AT Protocol
• Decentralized Social Media
• Online Communities
• Social Networking Features
• Platform Strategy

Best for: Product Manager, Entrepreneur, Software Engineer, Tech Journalist, General Interest

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by The Verge.