Bluesky is set to enhance its app experience by introducing features that create a more "live" atmosphere this year, aiming to establish itself as a strong competitor against Elon Musk's X platform. During the announcement of Bluesky's 2026 development roadmap, product head Alex Benzer revealed plans to make feeds more engaging and responsive during live events, while also hinting at improvements in posting capabilities and follow recommendations.
Benzer stated, "We're exploring new features and interactions within feeds that make them feel less like just scrolling through posts and more like hanging out." He added, "We're also working on making the app feel more 'live' in general. Our approach is experimental, so while I can't promise specifics, you can expect us to focus on real-time and event-driven features this year."
The announcement also pointed out the necessity for enhancements in basic functionalities, including support for drafts, longer videos, quicker video uploads, and improved suggestions for users to follow. While Bluesky did not explicitly commit to addressing these areas this year, it acknowledged that "the basics need to be solid" for user retention. A dedicated team will manage Bluesky's Discover feed, and the platform is considering topic tags to simplify the process of finding relevant posts and interests.
With approximately 1.5 million daily active users, Bluesky has a significant journey ahead to match the user bases of Threads (150 million daily users) and X (over 270 million). The focus on "live moments" represents Bluesky's latest initiative to attract X users who yearn for the experience Twitter once provided before its transformation under Musk's ownership.
Benzer concluded, "We need more sense-making these days. We miss having fun on the internet. Bluesky is one of the few public networks where you can do both without feeling trapped in an extractive propaganda machine owned by a billionaire."
