Bluesky has rolled out a new update, version 1.96, bringing a dedicated mentions tab to your notifications area. This update makes it much easier to keep track of conversations and replies where you’ve been tagged. If you’re active on the platform, this feature will streamline your interactions with others.
📢 App Version 1.96 is rolling out now (1/6) In this release: a notifications Mentions tab, reserving your default username when you verify your account with a domain, and other improvements!
— Bluesky (@bsky.app) December 20, 2024 at 5:54 AM
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Enhanced reply settings for better control
The 1.96 update doesn’t stop at mentions—it also introduces new options for managing how replies appear on posts. You can now choose between two viewing styles: linear replies, which display comments one after the other, or threaded replies, where conversations are shown as indented threads, similar to Reddit’s format.
Additionally, you can sort replies in several ways: by newest, oldest, most-liked, hot, or random, which Bluesky playfully calls “Poster’s Roulette.” These options give you complete control over how you view discussions, making finding relevant or engaging content easier.
Username security gets a boost
For those using custom domains as their usernames, Bluesky has added an extra layer of security. With this update, your old .bsky.social username will now be reserved, ensuring no one else can claim it. This feature is a relief for many, as losing access to a previously used name has been a concern for some users.
If you’ve already set up a custom domain, you might wish this feature had been around earlier. Some users resorted to creating secondary accounts to safeguard their .bsky.social usernames, but this update removes the need for such workarounds moving forward.
Bluesky’s growth and plans
Despite facing slower growth recently, Bluesky reached an impressive milestone last week, surpassing 25 million users. The platform saw a significant surge in new users in November and continues refining its features to retain its audience.
Looking ahead, Bluesky plans to launch a subscription service early next year and its own payment platform. These additions aim to solidify the app’s place in the competitive social media landscape.
However, Bluesky faces stiff competition from Meta’s Threads. With Meta consistently introducing new features and leveraging its more extensive user base, Bluesky must innovate to stay relevant in this challenging market.
