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The decentralized social media platform Bluesky has introduced a new direct messaging feature that allows users to communicate with each other privately.
The May 22 announcement brings Bluesky in line with its competitors, such as Mastodon and Threads, that have long offered direct messaging functionalities.
In addition to sending messages, users can also control their direct messaging privacy settings. This allows them to choose who can send them direct messages. Users can receive direct messages from everyone, only from people they follow or from no one at all.
While the current DM feature only supports text messages, Bluesky has revealed plans to expand the functionality. According to Bluesky’s blog post, upcoming updates will allow users to send images, videos, and other media files in their direct messages.
Bluesky is also planning to introduce group chat functionalities, which will enable users to communicate with multiple people at once, as they do on WhatsApp and Telegram.
Bluesky’s Major Competitors
Bluesky was founded in 2019 by Twitter co-founder and former CEO Jack Dorsey with the goal of creating a decentralized social media platform that prioritizes user autonomy and privacy. Since its launch, Bluesky has faced intense competition from other decentralized platforms like Mastodon and traditional social media giants like X and Facebook.
Despite its decentralized approach, Bluesky has struggled to gain traction and attract a large user base. As of March 2024, Bluesky had about 5.6 million registered users, coming far off the over 10 million users enjoyed by its main competitor, Mastodon.
The platform’s lack of DMs has been a significant criticism from users, who have been forced to rely on external messaging apps for private conversations. This has led to a fragmented user experience, with many users opting for other platforms that offer more comprehensive features.
With the rise of newer platforms like Threads, which has gained significant attention for its privacy-focused approach, Bluesky has been pressured to adapt and improve its features.
