Social network Bluesky is doubling down on video. After it added a new TikTok-like custom video feed last week in the wake of the U.S. ban on the popular video app (now on pause), the company on Monday announced it’s adding a new video tab to Bluesky user profiles.
The tab will allow people to showcase the videos they’ve uploaded to Bluesky, whether that’s original content or something they grabbed from other social networks, including, of course, TikTok. But in addition to simply chasing the potential for more video-based social activity, video could potentially offer Bluesky another revenue stream if it catches on. The company could charge for features like longer or higher-quality video as part of its upcoming premium subscription plan, if it chooses.
However, not all Bluesky users are ready for their network to become just another TikTok rival. Some people are even asking in the replies to the company’s announcement if they’ll be able to disable the tab on their own profiles. Others are requesting that Bluesky prioritizes other features they’re used to on X, like an Edit button.
Still, there’s clear demand and developer interest in building video-first Bluesky clients at present.
Several developers are already working on “Bluesky TikTok” apps, including Berlin developer Sebastian Vogelsang, who makes the Bluesky apps Skeets and now Flashes (a “Bluesky Instagram” of sorts) and the teams behind upcoming apps Reelo and Skylight, for instance.
Celeb investor and entrepreneur Mark Cuban even recently said he’s open to backing a video app built on the AT Protocol, which powers Bluesky.
The new user profile video tab was introduced in the Bluesky 1.97 update, which also adds a menu for blocking a user or deleting a conversation after reporting a DM (direct message) and other translation improvements.
