Bluesky pitches new features at disgruntled Threads users

Bluesky will now let you pin posts, apply language filters, and customize fonts and text sizes. The decentralized short posting platform announced these and other new features via the Threads account it created yesterday, seizing the chance to promote its superiority — “we’re not owned by a billionaire” — to increasingly frustrated users of its Meta rival.

Complaints from Threads users have spiked in recent days following a flood of engagement bait posts being promoted to people’s feeds and reports of overly sensitive or inaccurate moderation causing accounts to be deleted or restricted. Threads boss Adam Mosseri said these issues are being looked into, but the chaos has presented Bluesky with a ripe opportunity to persuade Threads users to switch platforms.

Version 1.92 of the Bluesky app is rolling out now. The update adds a new option that allows users to pin posts to the top of their profiles, similar to how they’re displayed on X. The ability to switch between two different fonts and adjust text sizing has also been added to the Appearance settings, though Bluesky says the “Theme” font provides a better user experience than the “System” option.

The update includes some quality-of-life improvements like the ability to delete a DM conversation by swiping on it, share camera roll videos directly to the platform, and apply muted words to notifications and search results. There’s also a new filtering tool that controls what languages appear in search results. More generally, Bluesky says it’s made “multiple look & feel improvements” to the app, like adding new animations.

“We’re always keeping an eye on your feedback to improve the Bluesky experience,” Bluesky said in its announcement on Threads. “If you’re on Bluesky, we’re grateful to have you along for the ride, and if you haven’t signed up yet, it’s not too late ;).”