Bluesky, the decentralized social network, has announced plans to test a new “dislikes” feature aimed at improving content personalization across its Discover feed and reply threads. The update comes as the platform celebrates a new milestone of 40 million users.
The new feature will allow users to “dislike” posts they prefer not to see, giving Bluesky’s system feedback to refine what appears in their feeds. According to the company, these signals will not only influence feed rankings but also how replies are ordered in conversations.
Bluesky said the move is part of a broader effort to make the platform a space for “fun, genuine, and respectful exchanges.” The company has faced ongoing debates about its moderation policies, with some users calling for stricter bans on harmful accounts. Instead, Bluesky says it will focus on expanding user-controlled moderation tools rather than central enforcement.
Users already have access to features like moderation lists, content filters, muted words, and the option to subscribe to external moderation services. The platform also allows users to detach quote posts, helping reduce unwanted attention or “dunking” behavior common on X (formerly Twitter).
Beyond dislikes, Bluesky is also testing ranking updates, interface improvements, and new feedback systems to enhance conversation quality. One of the upcoming tools is a “social neighborhood” mapping system that identifies users who frequently interact. Posts and replies from people in a user’s neighborhood will be prioritized, making discussions feel more relevant and connected.
This feature could solve a key problem seen on Meta’s Threads, where users often find themselves in fragmented or contextless conversations.
Bluesky also revealed updates to its moderation model, which now better detects toxic, spammy, or off-topic replies, automatically reducing their visibility across feeds, search results, and notifications.
Another subtle yet impactful change will affect the Reply button. Instead of opening a compose window immediately, it will now direct users to the full thread first. This tweak is designed to reduce redundant replies and improve conversation flow, issues that have long plagued platforms like X.
Finally, Bluesky is refining reply settings visibility, reminding users they can choose who can respond to their posts.
With these updates, Bluesky is taking a more user-centric approach to moderation and personalization. The “dislikes” feature marks a new phase in its strategy to combine algorithmic learning with user feedback for a healthier social experience.
