As Threads opts, Bluesky makes a big news play

tech.hindustantimes.com:

In a notable move, the social media platform Bluesky, supported by Jack Dorsey and boasting a flourishing user base of 1.5 million, has extended an invitation to journalists and news organisations. This invitation allows them to self-verify by setting their websites as their usernames. This development comes as Meta-owned Threads has decided to steer clear of featuring news on its platform.

Bluesky has been experiencing rapid growth, attracting individuals with diverse interests spanning politics, sports, and entertainment. Although the platform is still in its early stages, its ambition is clear: to reach 10 million users. Bluesky is now providing the tools for organisations to manage verifications for their journalists. For example, a newsroom can verify its affiliated journalists through a subdomain such as @name.newsroom.com.

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For freelance journalists and writers without formal affiliations, Bluesky offers the option to set their website as their username. The company encourages users to actively engage with the platform by posting and interacting with the vibrant community. Active participation is key to gaining visibility in this growing ecosystem.

Developers also have a significant role in Bluesky's vision. The platform aims to create an open marketplace of feeds, allowing experimentation and the publication of algorithms accessible to all. Bluesky has been making waves in the social media landscape, surpassing one million users in September. The platform initially released a beta app in January, inviting a select group to test its features, and by February, it had amassed several hundred users.

Recently, Bluesky secured $8 million in a seed funding round, with Neo, a