Everything We Know So Far

There’s a fresh development at the cutting-edge decentralized platform, Bluesky, that you need to know about. Dubbed a pioneer in reimagining social media interactions, Bluesky is venturing into new territories with its latest innovation: the introduction of a unique livestreaming feature. Notably, this feature is crafted to connect users directly to platforms like YouTube and Twitch, rather than hosting video content on Bluesky itself.

The company’s COO, Rose Wang, states, “We’re not here to confine you within Bluesky. Instead, we aim to be your go-to platform for discovering the latest events as they happen.” Bluesky’s approach challenges conventional social media norms. Here, we explore everything we know so far.

A New Way to Experience Livestreams

This innovative feature is marked by a distinct ‘Live Now’ badge. When creators embed a livestream link in their profiles, a red border encircles their profile picture, highlighting the ongoing live content. One click takes you seamlessly to their livestream activity, whether it involves gaming, news, or interactive Q&As.

Bluesky describes the move as a way to support creators and journalists in sharing real-time updates without being tethered to a single platform. This contrasts with how platforms like X (formerly Twitter) typically operate.

Understanding the Live Now Badge Feature

The functionality is designed with simplicity and effectiveness in mind:

• Livestream links are added to profiles
• A noticeable Live Now badge alerts users
• Clicking the badge takes viewers directly to the livestream
• This feature is currently in its trial phase

Currently a Limited Test

This groundbreaking feature is accessible to a select few accounts, with larger goals for expansion. The company remains open about this early testing phase, actively seeking user feedback to fine-tune the experience.

The NBA and WNBA are early adopters, already showcasing the live indicators during game promotions.

Opportunities for Creators

This innovation aims to empower creators by facilitating direct engagement with their audience. Bluesky’s promise is that its platform won’t depreciate posts leading users off-site, allowing creators to maintain control over their content and audience relationship.

In a conversation on Buffer Chat: The Podcast, Wang mentioned plans for native monetization pathways within the broader AT Protocol ecosystem. Though it’s a work in progress, Bluesky is committed to ensuring that both creators and the platform mutually benefit from successful content monetization.

Future Steps for the Livestream Badge

The next steps involve expanding accessibility by iterating based on user input. So, when you see the ‘Live Now’ badge, you’ll know how to dive into real-time content.

Stay tuned for more updates.

Additional Bluesky Resources