Bluesky will let users run their own moderation services

Bluesky, the open-source Twitter alternative, is gearing up to test one of its most ambitious ideas yet: enabling users to run their own moderation services. This change will empower Bluesky users and developers to collaborate in creating personalized labeling tools for the emerging social media platform.

The introduction of these moderation tools comes at a time when Bluesky is experiencing rapid growth following the removal of its waitlist and opening up to all users in February. Since then, the platform has welcomed around 2 million new users, expanding its community to over 5 million.

Bluesky has stated that its moderation approach aligns with its commitment to customizable feed algorithms. The company’s objective, as outlined in a blog post, is to establish “an ecosystem of moderation and open-source safety tools that empowers communities to establish their own spaces with unique norms and preferences.”

These moderation tools will primarily manifest as labeling services. Just like users can set their own moderation preferences on Bluesky—such as choosing to “show,” “warn,” or “hide” explicit content—developers will have the opportunity to design their filtering systems for others to adopt. For instance, a user could create a moderation service like the “Spider Shield” to block spider images from appearing on Bluesky feeds, catering to individuals who may be startled by such content.

To facilitate the creation of these tailored experiences, Bluesky is making its collaborative labeling tool, Ozone, available as open source. This tool enables groups of moderators to address reports and apply labels to content. Additionally, developers can leverage Bluesky’s API to develop automated labeling systems.

Bluesky’s CEO, Jay Graber, has described this concept as “composable” or “stackable” moderation, emphasizing the platform’s foundational moderation while allowing users to customize their experience. The rollout of third-party labeling services will commence on the desktop version of Bluesky this week, with a mobile version anticipated in the near future. As more developers and groups access the underlying tools, users can expect to see a variety of options become available in the upcoming weeks.