Social network Bluesky announced Friday that it has reached 40 million users and will soon begin testing a new “dislikes” feature aimed at improving personalization across its feeds. The move comes as part of a broader effort to enhance user experience and foster more constructive online interactions.
According to the company, the “dislikes” feature will allow users to signal what kind of content they prefer to see less of. The data gathered will help refine content ranking in both the Discover feed and reply threads, making posts and discussions more relevant to individual users.
The update accompanies a series of other improvements, including better detection of toxic comments, refined reply handling, and new tools to give users more control over their conversations. Bluesky said these changes are designed to make the platform a space for “fun, genuine, and respectful exchanges.”
The company’s approach comes after recent tensions among users over moderation policies. While Bluesky’s decentralized model allows individuals to manage their own moderation and block unwanted content, some users have called for stronger centralized action against harmful behavior.
Instead of broad bans, Bluesky is focusing on providing tools for users to curate their own experiences. Current options include moderation lists, content filters, muted words, and the ability to subscribe to external moderation services. The platform also allows users to detach quote posts — a measure intended to limit the kind of public “dunking” culture often seen on X (formerly Twitter).
Beyond “dislikes,” Bluesky is also testing a new feature called “social neighborhoods,” which maps user interactions to better surface replies and discussions from people closer to one’s network. This aims to make feeds feel more connected and relevant, addressing a common criticism of rival platforms like Meta’s Threads, where conversations can feel disjointed or contextless.
The company’s latest update also improves how it detects and ranks replies, identifying those that are “toxic, spammy, off-topic, or posted in bad faith,” and reducing their visibility in threads, searches, and notifications. Additionally, the Reply button will now lead users to the full conversation before they start typing, encouraging more informed responses and reducing redundant comments.
