Bluesky Includes Private Bookmark Feature

One of the most requested features by users of Bluesky which is not an edit option is being introduced by social networking firm Bluesky; bookmarks.

Users has now have the option to privately store posts on the platform thanks to Bluesky’s integrated bookmarking feature. The update is currently available on Bluesky’s app and website.

On Bluesky, bookmarks function essentially the same as they do on other services. The new feature, which the company refers to as Saved Posts, was revealed on Monday. Save a post so you can access it later from the website’s or app’s “saved posts” area. Each post has a new bookmark button next to the heart for favourites that allows users to access the functionality.

Although it’s a long overdue addition to the platform, it’s a simple feature overall; for instance, you can’t yet organise your saves into folders. 

The new “Saved” area in the app’s main navigation then allows you to see your saved posts whenever you like.

Technically, Bluesky users have been allowed to store posts through a workaround up until now. A unique “pinned” feed was made by Bluesky developer Jaz, which enabled subscribers to save posts by responding with a emoji. Although this was a convenient way to bookmark posts without an official bookmarking tool, it wasn’t private because each saving resulted in a public reply. However, a useful feature has been made available to turn your previously “pinned” posts into private bookmarks. Additionally, you have the option to remove or leave your public “pins” in their current state. 

Although both likes and bookmarks provide a means of marking a post for future reference, it may seem unnecessary to have both on a social media app. However, bookmarks provide a private substitute for the “like.” Your likes are public on Bluesky since your account and the information linked to it are public. Some things you save are personal or just not the kinds of things you want to publicly promote, so that doesn’t work for everyone.

For instance, journalists may bookmark postings they want to refer to later, but they may not want to announce that they are only beginning their investigation because this could draw unwelcome attention. Some might only wish to save their preferred sexual content to their bookmarks.

Elon Musk made the decision to hide user likes on X last year after realising that the public nature of likes would potentially reduce interaction. Employees at X at the time claimed that public likes could encourage inappropriate behaviour because they may hinder others from enjoying potentially “edgy” content or to preserve their reputation.

However, Bluesky and other smaller social apps are powered by the AT Protocol, which does not currently provide private data, therefore users’ likes cannot be hidden. Rather, the company developed a method to temporarily store a user’s bookmarks off-protocol, enabling them to remain secret, much to Bluesky’s private messages (DMs). Things might change if and when private data is supported by the protocol.

Meanwhile, Bluesky’s addition of saved posts may inspire users to interact with the platform’s content more. It also provides a means to view a carefully selected selection of posts that you want to refer to later, rather than all the items you enjoyed when browsing your feeds. Additionally, it will provide a substitute for the red pushpin emoji, which many Bluesky users now use as a workaround for bookmarking items they wish to revisit. (Those who choose this method can even benefit from a handy small migrating tool.)

The addition comes after another recent update to the Bluesky app, which was released just days ago and included a button that now allows users to upload both photos and videos, tools for giving feedback to those who create custom feeds, and a way to add users to a Starter Park—a list of suggested users that anyone can create.