Bluesky launches granular notification controls

Bluesky unveiled comprehensive notification management features on July 7, 2025, providing users with unprecedented control over their social media interactions. The update introduces three distinct notification categories designed to address diverse user preferences and interaction patterns across the decentralized platform.

The social media platform's latest enhancement centers on Activity Notifications, which enable users to receive targeted alerts from specific accounts. This opt-in feature addresses a fundamental challenge in social media consumption: cutting through algorithmic noise to maintain connections with priority accounts. Users can navigate to any profile and locate a bell icon adjacent to the follow button, provided the account holder has enabled this functionality.

Summary

Who: Bluesky, the decentralized social media platform, announced the notification updates through its official team blog post.

What: Three comprehensive notification features were introduced: Activity Notifications for specific account alerts, Enhanced Notification Settings with granular controls across eight categories, and Repost Notifications for tracking engagement on shared content.

When: The notification control features were officially announced and released on July 7, 2025.

Where: The updates are available across all Bluesky platforms including mobile applications and desktop web interfaces, accessible through the platform's settings menu.

Why: The features address user demands for better noise filtering and personalized social media experiences, providing unprecedented control over notification sources and types while maintaining the platform's commitment to user empowerment over algorithmic manipulation.

When activated, Activity Notifications deliver both push and in-app alerts for new posts from selected accounts. The system extends beyond basic post notifications to include replies, creating a comprehensive monitoring system for high-priority content. Users maintain complete autonomy over their notification preferences through the Settings menu, where they can manage their Activity Notifications list at any time.

Account holders retain significant control over this feature's availability. Those preferring reduced notification activity can disable the function entirely or restrict it exclusively to accounts they follow. This configuration prevents unwanted notification requests from unknown users while maintaining connectivity with established connections. The privacy-focused approach reflects Bluesky's broader commitment to user-controlled social media experiences.

Enhanced Notification Settings represent the update's most comprehensive component, replacing the platform's previous priority notifications system. Users can now customize notification sources across three distinct categories: Everyone, People you follow, and No One. This granular approach enables precise control over notification frequency and source filtering.

The system encompasses eight specific notification types, each offering independent customization options. Replies, mentions, and quotes can be configured separately, allowing users to differentiate between direct interactions and peripheral engagement. Likes and reposts maintain distinct notification streams, enabling users to track content performance without overwhelming their notification feed.

New follower notifications provide audience growth tracking, while a flexible "Everything else" category accommodates future notification types. This category currently includes Starter Pack invitations and verification notifications, with expansion capabilities built into the system architecture. The forward-thinking design ensures compatibility with upcoming platform features without requiring system overhauls.

Push notification controls add another layer of customization, enabling users to maintain in-app awareness while controlling mobile device interruptions. Each notification category supports independent push notification settings, creating granular control over attention management. This approach acknowledges varying user preferences regarding immediate alerts versus periodic check-ins.

The migration process for existing users demonstrates Bluesky's commitment to seamless transitions. Previous priority notification settings automatically transferred to corresponding new configurations, maintaining user preferences without requiring manual reconfiguration. Users who previously enabled priority notifications found their settings mapped to "people you follow only" across reply, mention, and quote categories.

Repost Notifications introduce a novel tracking mechanism for content curation activities. Users who share others' content can now receive alerts when their reposts generate engagement through likes or additional reposts. This feature acknowledges the social media behavior of content curation, where users act as information distributors within their networks.

The repost notification system operates under the same three-tier framework as other notification types. Users can receive alerts from everyone, restrict them to followed accounts, or disable them entirely. This consistency across notification types creates an intuitive user experience while maintaining comprehensive customization options.

Technical implementation reflects Bluesky's broader architectural philosophy of user empowerment and platform transparency. The notification system builds upon the AT Protocol's decentralized foundation, ensuring users maintain control over their data and interaction preferences. Unlike traditional social media platforms where notification algorithms operate as black boxes, Bluesky's approach provides transparent, user-controlled filtering mechanisms.

The update arrives during a period of significant growth for Bluesky, which has expanded from an invite-only platform to serving over 13 million users globally. The platform's commitment to user-controlled experiences distinguishes it from traditional social media networks, where algorithmic content delivery often prioritizes engagement over user preferences.

Platform development has consistently focused on addressing user feedback and identified feature gaps. Previous updates introduced direct messaging capabilities, trending topics functionality, and enhanced anti-toxicity features. The notification update continues this trajectory by addressing fundamental interaction management needs.

The competitive landscape for social media platforms increasingly emphasizes user control and privacy. Bluesky's notification system directly addresses common user complaints about overwhelming alerts and algorithmic manipulation of attention. By providing granular controls without hidden algorithms, the platform differentiates itself from competitors who often obscure notification logic.

User interface design prioritizes accessibility and intuitive navigation. The bell icon placement maintains consistency with established social media conventions while introducing Bluesky-specific functionality. Settings organization follows logical hierarchies, enabling users to locate and modify preferences without extensive navigation through complex menu systems.

The notification system's architecture supports future expansion without compromising existing functionality. The "Everything else" category provides a framework for incorporating new notification types as platform features evolve. This forward-thinking approach ensures long-term viability while maintaining backward compatibility with current user configurations.

Content creators and public figures benefit particularly from Activity Notifications, which enable direct audience engagement without relying on algorithmic amplification. The feature creates reliable communication channels between creators and dedicated followers, addressing a common frustration in contemporary social media where important updates often fail to reach interested audiences.

Privacy considerations remain central to the implementation. Users control both their notification preferences and their visibility to others seeking notification access. The dual-sided consent model ensures that both content creators and consumers maintain autonomy over their notification experiences, preventing unwanted attention while facilitating desired connections.

Platform analytics suggest strong user adoption of granular control features. The complexity of options available reflects sophisticated user expectations for social media customization. Rather than simplifying options to reduce confusion, Bluesky embraces complexity while maintaining intuitive organization and clear documentation.

The notification update represents broader trends in social media platform development, where user agency increasingly takes precedence over engagement maximization. Traditional platforms often design notification systems to increase time spent on platform, while Bluesky's approach prioritizes user satisfaction and control over raw engagement metrics.

Integration with the AT Protocol ensures that notification preferences remain portable across different applications built on the decentralized network. This approach differs fundamentally from traditional social media silos, where user preferences and data remain locked within specific platforms. Bluesky's commitment to interoperability extends to notification management, ensuring user investments in customization translate across the broader ecosystem.

Future development roadmaps indicate continued expansion of user control features. The notification system provides a foundation for more sophisticated content filtering and interaction management tools. As the platform evolves, these granular controls will likely expand to encompass additional interaction types and customization options.

The July 7 update demonstrates Bluesky's ongoing commitment to user-centric platform development. By prioritizing individual control over algorithmic convenience, the platform continues differentiating itself in an increasingly crowded social media landscape. The comprehensive notification system provides users with tools to craft personalized social media experiences that align with their specific needs and preferences.

Timeline

• 2019: Bluesky project officially launched as Twitter initiative under Jack Dorsey
• October 4, 2021: Platform launched in beta with invite-only access
• December 24, 2023: New logo unveiled and public web view introduced
• February 9, 2024: Open registration launched, removing invite-only restrictions
• February 17, 2024: Hashtag functionality announced for future implementation
• March 17, 2024: Ozone moderation system released with customizable content filtering
• May 9, 2024: Product roadmap unveiled focusing on user experience improvements
• May 22, 2024: Direct messaging feature launched across platform
• July 31, 2024: Buffer partnership announced for cross-platform posting capabilities
• August 28, 2024: Anti-toxicity features implemented including quote post detachment
• October 24, 2024: Series A funding completed raising $15 million, user base reaches 13 million
• December 26, 2024: Trending topics feature introduced with user control options
• July 7, 2025: Enhanced notification controls launched with Activity Notifications and granular settings