Bluesky, the decentralized social network, has announced a major update: users can now upload videos up to 3 minutes long, a significant increase from the previous 60-second limit. This change, revealed on Monday, brings Bluesky’s video capabilities more in line with its competitors, such as X (formerly Twitter) and Meta’s Threads, enhancing the platform’s appeal to content creators.
With the expanded video time limit, Bluesky is positioning itself as a stronger player in the competitive social media landscape. X allows nonpaying users to upload videos of up to 2 minutes and 20 seconds, while Threads offers a slightly longer limit of 5 minutes per video. By raising its limit to 3 minutes, Bluesky offers a middle ground, providing users with the ability to create longer-form content while still maintaining the platform’s focus on brevity.
This change is particularly significant for apps designed to bring video content to Bluesky, like Bluescreen and Skylight. These apps aim to transform Bluesky into a video-centric platform, with some focusing on creating video-first clients or entirely new apps built on the AT Protocol. The new 3-minute video limit brings Bluesky’s offering closer to popular video apps like TikTok, which allows users to share videos up to 10 minutes long. Now, developers can offer a more robust alternative to TikTok within the Bluesky ecosystem.
In addition to the video update, Bluesky has introduced a new “Chat Requests” screen, improving how users manage direct messages (DMs) from unknown contacts. This feature allows users to review and decide whether to accept or reject messages from people they don’t follow, streamlining the process of managing unsolicited interactions.
Bluesky has also made it easier for users to mute accounts. By clicking the three-dot menu on a post, users can quickly select the “Mute account” option, allowing for a smoother experience when curating content. Additionally, the platform has enhanced its web layout for tablet devices and improved its moderation reporting system.
With these updates, Bluesky continues to evolve, offering more features that cater to both content creators and users seeking a more personalized and user-friendly social networking experience.
Bluesky, the decentralized social network, has just rolled out a game-changing update that allows users to upload videos up to 3 minutes long, significantly extending the previous 60-second limit. This new feature was announced on Monday and marks a pivotal moment for the platform as it ramps up its capabilities to compete with other social media giants like X (formerly Twitter) and Meta’s Threads.
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What This Means for Content Creators
The updated 3-minute video limit positions Bluesky as a more attractive platform for content creators looking to share longer, more in-depth videos without sacrificing the spontaneous feel of short-form content. Previously, users could only share brief clips, limiting the creative potential. With this new extension, creators can now produce more engaging videos—whether they’re tutorials, storytelling, or commentary—without having to cut down on their content.
This change brings Bluesky’s user experience closer to that of its competitors. X (formerly Twitter) allows nonpaying users to upload videos up to 2 minutes and 20 seconds, while Meta’s Threads supports videos up to 5 minutes. By raising its video upload limit to 3 minutes, Bluesky offers a balance between the short, snappy clips that social media thrives on and the longer content that has become popular across platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
A Boost for Third-Party Apps and the TikTok Alternative
The new 3-minute video limit is particularly significant for apps like Bluescreen and Skylight, which are focused on turning Bluesky into a hub for video content. These third-party applications aim to create a more immersive video-first experience on Bluesky, either by introducing new clients for the platform or by building entirely new video apps using Bluesky’s AT Protocol.
These developers are positioning themselves to provide an alternative to TikTok within the Bluesky ecosystem. With TikTok’s success built on short-form video content that allows users to share videos up to 10 minutes long, the expanded 3-minute video option offers a more fitting structure for video-sharing apps to develop their TikTok-like experiences on Bluesky. As users demand more creative freedom in their content, this update could foster new communities and bring fresh content formats to Bluesky.
New Features to Improve User Experience
In addition to the video update, Bluesky has rolled out several other features designed to enhance the overall user experience. One notable addition is the new “Chat Requests” screen, which gives users more control over their interactions with others. The screen allows users to sift through direct message (DM) requests from unknown users, providing them with the option to accept or reject messages. This added layer of privacy and control enhances security and reduces unwanted interactions.
Another significant update is the enhanced muting feature. Now, users can quickly mute accounts directly from the three-dot menu on a post, improving the overall experience when curating content. Whether you’re tired of seeing spammy accounts or simply want to filter your feed, muting accounts has never been easier.
Bluesky has also improved its web interface, with better layouts for tablet users, making the platform more accessible across different devices. Additionally, the platform’s moderation reporting flow has been upgraded, enabling users to report issues more efficiently. These updates suggest that Bluesky is not only focused on video content but also on improving the platform’s usability, security, and accessibility for all users.
What’s Next for Bluesky?
As Bluesky continues to grow, these updates signal the platform’s commitment to evolving into a robust social media network that can compete with more established players. With the expanded video capabilities, enhanced privacy features, and continued support for third-party developers, Bluesky is carving out a unique space in the social media landscape.
The 3-minute video limit is just the beginning. As users continue to demand more flexibility and creativity from their social networks, Bluesky will likely keep making changes to stay relevant. Whether it’s further extending video limits, integrating more interactive features, or improving the video experience, Bluesky seems poised to become a go-to platform for users seeking more than just a basic social network.
In the rapidly changing world of social media, Bluesky is taking bold steps to establish itself as a decentralized alternative to mainstream platforms. By offering more control over content, providing a better video experience, and making user interactions smoother, the platform is positioning itself as a key player in the next generation of social networking.
