Bluesky Now Supports Native Video, Bringing it on Par with X

Bluesky, a social networking startup gaining traction with nearly 10 million users, has announced the addition of a new video feature that allows users to share videos up to 60 seconds long. This enhancement, unveiled on Wednesday, marks a significant step for Bluesky as it aims to position itself more competitively against established platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and newer rivals such as Instagram Threads and Mastodon.

The introduction of native video support is a strategic move to broaden the platform’s content-sharing capabilities and enhance user engagement. Videos on Bluesky will autoplay by default, although users have the option to disable this feature in the settings. Each post can include a single video and users can also add subtitles to their videos for better accessibility. Initially, the feature allows users to upload up to 25 videos or a total of 10GB of video content per day. Bluesky has indicated that these limits may be subject to change based on user feedback and platform performance.

To mitigate the risk of spam, Bluesky requires users to verify their email addresses before they can upload videos. The platform is also implementing content moderation measures by allowing users to label videos with adult content. These videos can be filtered out by other users who prefer not to see such content. Bluesky is using tools from Hive and Thorn to ensure that videos needing content warnings are appropriately flagged and that illegal content, including child sexual abuse material (CSAM), is not posted. Videos reported for violating community guidelines could impact the user’s ability to continue uploading content if infractions are repeated. Additionally, when a post containing a video is deleted, all associated data is removed from Bluesky’s infrastructure to ensure privacy and security.

The rollout of video support follows a series of updates to Bluesky’s app. Last year, the company introduced an in-app video and music player that supports third-party content from platforms like YouTube, Soundcloud, Spotify, and Twitch. In recent months, Bluesky has also added direct messages (DMs), a more personalized Discover feed, and tools to hide replies, enhancing user interaction and customization.

The company has indicated that it is exploring features akin to X’s Community Notes, which emphasizes crowdsourced fact-checking. This potential feature would allow Bluesky users to contribute to the verification of information shared on the platform, fostering a more reliable and accountable environment for discussions and content. By integrating a similar system, Bluesky aims to enhance the credibility of information and empower its community to play a proactive role in maintaining accuracy and transparency.

The implementation of video uploads will be phased in gradually, with the feature being made available to users in stages to ensure that the servers can handle the increased volume of content. This phased approach allows Bluesky to manage the transition smoothly and ensure that its infrastructure can handle the increased volume of content. By rolling out the video feature incrementally, the platform aims to maintain a high-quality user experience, address any potential issues early on, and adapt its systems to accommodate the growing demand for video content. This careful scaling process helps to mitigate the risk of server overload and ensures that users enjoy a seamless and reliable video-sharing experience.