Home Bluesky launches custom vertical video feeds amid TikTok ban uncertainty

Bluesky launches custom vertical video feeds amid TikTok ban uncertainty

It seems that amid the ban on ByteDance-associated apps like TikTok, Bluesky is trying to capture its share of the vertical video market. The X alternative just announced on their platform that they’re rolling out custom feeds for vertical videos in the app.

The company wrote: “We had to get in on the video action too — Bluesky now has custom feeds for video!

“Like any other feed, you can choose to pin these or not. Bluesky is yours to customize.”

We had to get in on the video action too — Bluesky now has custom feeds for video!Like any other feed, you can choose to pin these or not. Bluesky is yours to customize.

Bluesky (@bsky.app) 2025-01-20T03:41:13.225Z

How to access vertical videos on Bluesky

Under the “Explore” tab, users can now swipe up to dive into a timeline of trending videos. Users can also pin the video feed to their home screens or add it to their personalized feed list, in a bid to make it more customizable.

In video custom feeds, you can swipe up to enter a timeline of only video posts.Try it yourself by clicking into this video custom feed and scrolling up. bsky.app/profile/bsky…

Bluesky (@bsky.app) 2025-01-20T03:41:13.226Z

If you don’t see the new video feed in your Bluesky app yet, the platform suggests restarting the app a couple of times to get things rolling. Meanwhile, Bluesky also shared that developers are busy working on TikTok alternatives using AT Protocol, the decentralized framework behind Bluesky.

Right now, users can upload videos up to 59 seconds long. While many “Twitter quitters” are loving this new feature, others have chimed in with suggestions, such as allowing longer uploads (up to 5 minutes) and adding an option to edit videos after posting. In September, ReadWrite reported that Bluesky had already begun allowing users to share 60-second videos on its platform.

With all the issues around ByteDance apps like CapCut, Lemon8, and Marvel Snap facing uncertainty, Bluesky seems to be riding the wave. It reportedly hit over 28 million users this past weekend.

Other social platforms aren’t sitting still either. Elon Musk’s X has rolled out a dedicated vertical video feed in the US, and Meta is jumping in with “Edits,” a new video editing app that’s looking to compete with CapCut.

Featured image: Bluesky

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The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech, gambling and blockchain industries for major developments, new product and brand launches, AI breakthroughs, game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to in-house staff writers with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Suswati Basu
Tech journalist

Suswati Basu is a multilingual, award-winning editor and the founder of the intersectional literature channel, How To Be Books. She was shortlisted for the Guardian Mary Stott Prize and longlisted for the Guardian International Development Journalism Award. With 18 years of experience in the media industry, Suswati has held significant roles such as head of audience and deputy editor for NationalWorld news, digital editor for Channel 4 News and ITV News. She has also contributed to the Guardian and received training at the BBC As an audience, trends, and SEO specialist, she has participated in panel events alongside Google. Her…

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