Laura
Bluesky is more than just a social media platform; it’s an ambitious project seeking to revolutionize online interactions by transitioning from platform-centric to protocol-driven social networking. This vision, initially conceived as a research initiative within Twitter in 2019, aimed to explore decentralizing Twitter. The goal was to empower users with greater control over their data and online experience.
While Twitter provided the initial impetus and funding for Bluesky, the project evolved into an independent company called “Bluesky Social” in 2021. This separation was driven by the recognition that Twitter’s existing business model and incentives might hinder the pursuit of a truly decentralized social network. They formally incorporated as a benefit corporation in February 2022, solidifying their mission to “develop and drive large-scale adoption of technologies for open and decentralized public conversation”.
Following their incorporation, they launched an invite-only beta version of their app in February 2023, initially available on iOS and later expanding to Android in April 2023. During this beta phase, Bluesky garnered attention for attracting a diverse range of communities and subcultures, many of whom valued the platform’s focus on user control and community management features. In December 2023, Bluesky adopted a butterfly logo, symbolizing transformation and reflecting the organic use of the butterfly emoji by users to denote their Bluesky handles.
On February 6, 2024, Bluesky opened its doors to the public, marking a pivotal step in their journey. Shortly after, the platform enabled federation through the AT Protocol, allowing users to host their own data and for developers to build their own applications within the Bluesky ecosystem. This move furthered Bluesky’s commitment to decentralization and user autonomy.
Recent Growth Spurt
Bluesky’s user base has grown exponentially. The platform reached 1 million registered users in September 2023 and surpassed 2 million users in November of the same year. By February 2024, coinciding with its public launch, Bluesky has gained over 3 million users. In September 2024 they exceeded 10 million users, with Japanese-speaking users significantly contributing to this growth. October 2024 saw a surge of over 1.2 million users joining in just 2 days, but in November 2024 they experienced their most dramatic growth yet, as millions of users flocked to their platform. By November 19, 2024, Bluesky’s user base surpassed 20 million, effectively tripling their size within 3 months.
Bluesky’s Vision for a Federated Social Network
Unlike traditional social media platforms, which are centralized and controlled by a single company, Bluesky is built on a decentralized network called the AT protocol. Also known as the Authenticated Transfer Protocol, this framework was developed by Bluesky to allow different social media applications to interact with one another seamlessly. This means that users’ data is not stored in one central location but is instead distributed across multiple servers, giving users more control over their information. Their vision is to create a social media experience that functions more like email or phone numbers, where users can communicate regardless of their chosen service provider. One way Bluesky achieves this is through its approach to user verification.
Bye, Bye Blue Check Verification – Hello Custom Domains!
Bluesky’s surge in popularity is partly due to their unique approach to user verification, which contrasts sharply with the traditional blue check system. Forget paying for blue checkmarks or waiting for a company to deem you popular enough to be “verified”. Bluesky leverages the power of custom domains, offering users the ability to claim their websites as their Bluesky handle.
By utilizing custom domains, Bluesky creates a system where verification is inherently built into the user’s identity. Instead of relying on a platform to 
grant or revoke verification status, users can demonstrate their authenticity by proving ownership of their domain. This empowers individuals and organizations to establish their credibility and avoid potential username conflicts. Let’s say you’re a Canadian business; you could verify your Bluesky account using your business’ domain, like @webnames.ca, instantly signaling your affiliation and legitimacy to the Bluesky community.
Beyond verification, custom domains provide unparalleled portability in the Bluesky ecosystem. As a federated network, Bluesky allows users to move their data between different servers without disrupting their online identity. This means you can switch service providers while retaining your handle and your followers. This level of flexibility is unprecedented in the social media world and ensures that your digital identity remains yours, regardless of platform shifts or changes.
Key Advantages of Custom Domains on Bluesky
- Branding: Using a custom domain name as your Bluesky hand can help with recognition and serve as a form of branding. It can also make your handle more distinctive, especially among a sea of “bsky.social” handles. This can be especially valuable as the Bluesky network grows.
- Verification and Trust: Claiming a domain works as a form of verification, demonstrating that the person behind the website and the Bluesky account are the same. This can give your account authority and build trust among users, as they will know that you are not impersonating someone else. This is particularly important for official organizations and high-profile individuals.
- Avoiding Username Conflict: As Bluesky and the AT Protocol grow, using a custom domain can help you avoid potential username conflicts. The default “bsky.social” handle can change when moving servers, and someone else might already have the same username on the new server.
Changing Your Bluesky Handle to a Custom Domain
Before you can verify yourself using your custom domain, you need to set up your Bluesky account. Then follow these steps to complete your verification:
- Start the change on your Bluesky account:
- Go to settings > Advanced > Change Handle.
- Click on the link that reads “I have my own domain”.
- Choose and enact a verification method:
- Choose between a DNS record* or uploading a text file to your website.
- If adding a DNS record, copy and paste the details provided by Bluesky into your DNS service.
- If using the text file approach, save or upload the provided file to a hidden directory called “.well-known” on your web server.
- These details are public and not private, so there’s no risk in sharing them.
- Verify the change:
- Once you’ve configured your DNS record or text file, click either “Verify DNS Record” or “Verify Text File”.
- DNS settings can take time to propagate, so be patient.
- If verification is successful, you’ll see a message reading “Domain verified!” with a button to confirm the change.
As always, if you need help with this process, one of our friendly support team members can help! We’re just an email, phone call or chat away.
*Note: Advanced DNS or higher is required to have control over your DNS records.
Why Choose Webnames.ca for Your Custom Domains?
When it comes to purchasing a domain, Webnames.ca is the best choice for several reasons:
- Trusted Service: Webnames.ca has been a leader in the domain registration industry for going on 25 years, known for our reliability and excellent customer service.
- Canadian Roots: Proudly Canadian, Webnames.ca offers exceptional support tailored to your needs, including bilingual assistance in English and French. Plus, all your data is housed securely within Canada, ensuring compliance with Canadian data privacy laws.
- Flexible Payment Options: We offer a variety of payment methods making it convenient for you to register a renew your domains.
- Bulk Domain Management: If you own multiple domains, we provide efficient bulk management tools that allow you to manage all your domains from a single, user-friendly dashboard.
- Domain Privacy Protection: We offer protection for your personal information from being publicly available in the WHOIS database, enhancing your privacy and security online.
- Advanced DNS Management: We offer robust DNS management tools that allow you to easily configure and control your domain’s DNS settings – essential for Bluesky’s domain verification method. This includes features like domain forwarding, email forwarding, and advanced security options.
Ready to get your business or personal brand verified? Head over to Webnames.ca today and take advantage of our Black Friday sale to get your custom .CA or .COM domain. Step into the future of social media and make your mark on the Bluesky community!