HomeWinBuzzer NewsAs TikTok Falters, Bluesky Steps In With Custom Video Feeds

As TikTok Falters, Bluesky Steps In With Custom Video Feeds

Bluesky integrates short-form video feeds into its platform while TikTok battles U.S. regulations.

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Bluesky, the decentralized social platform and X alternative developed using the AT Protocol, has launched a new feature: customizable video feeds for short-form, vertical videos.

This addition positions Bluesky as a viable alternative in the short-video space at a time when TikTok’s future in the United States hangs in the balance. Bluesky users can now browse trending videos in a format that mimics TikTok’s signature vertical scrolling experience, pin their favorite feeds to the home screen, and enjoy a personalized interface.

“We had to get in on the video action too,” Bluesky stated in its announcement, emphasizing user choice and customization. “Bluesky now has custom feeds for video! Like any other feed, you can choose to pin these or not.”

The video feed update is currently being rolled out on mobile, with Bluesky recommending users restart their apps to ensure the changes take effect.

This development reflects a strategic response to the uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s U.S. operations and the demand for decentralized, user-controlled platforms.

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.

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— Bluesky (@bsky.app) January 20, 2025 at 4:41 AM

Bluesky emphasized its commitment to fostering a flexible and personalized platform by highlighting the role of independent tools like @graze.social and @skyfeed.app, which are already working to integrate video feeds into their custom feed-building offerings.

The platform clarified that the vertical swipe functionality is unique to video-specific custom feeds, distinguishing it from standard feeds and posts containing videos, which do not automatically create a video timeline.

Bluesky also expressed enthusiasm for the broader development efforts within the AT Protocol community, where new video-only apps such as @tik.blue, @skylight.social, and @bluescreen.blue are already under active development.

Our main goal is for you to find, or if necessary, CREATE your own space, your way. We are just one part of a whole, a whole that seeks to have its own place. 💙 Stay tuned for upcoming updates, you won’t want to miss what we’re cooking! 🔥 ~tik.🟦

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— tik (@tik.blue) January 19, 2025 at 5:30 PM

TikTok’s Legal and Political Challenges

TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, yesterday resumed partial services in the U.S. after a brief but disruptive shutdown.

The platform remains inaccessible on Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store due to ongoing legal battles that stem from national security concerns over ByteDance’s potential access to U.S. user data.

A Supreme Court ruling has upheld legislation requiring ByteDance to divest its U.S. operations, effectively leaving the platform in limbo.

Former President Donald Trump, now coming for a second term, has intervened to extend TikTok’s operational deadline. Writing on Truth Social, he declared, “Without U.S. approval, there is no TikTok,” signaling his intention to ensure the platform’s compliance while proposing a joint venture that would give the U.S. government a 50% stake in TikTok’s American operations.

Despite this reprieve, criticism from lawmakers persists. Senator Tom Cotton, a vocal opponent, warned that companies aiding TikTok during this period could face “hundreds of billions of dollars” in penalties, reflecting the heightened scrutiny over foreign-owned digital platforms operating in the U.S.

Bluesky and the Rise of Decentralized Alternatives

Bluesky’s rise reflects a growing appetite for decentralized platforms, where user data is not confined to corporate-owned servers. Its underlying AT Protocol allows for interoperability between platforms, granting users greater control over their digital presence.

This model has gained traction among tech enthusiasts and developers seeking alternatives to centralized platforms like TikTok and Meta.

Entrepreneur Mark Cuban recently praised the AT Protocol as a promising foundation for a TikTok alternative. In a TikTok video, Cuban stated, “I would be open to investing in supporting anybody—or somebody who creates a TikTok replacement built on the AT Protocol. So if you’ve got that ability, let me know in the comments,” Cuban said. “If you create an MVP—a minimum viable product—so I can see it, that’s all the better, because obviously, I think you’d have a whole lot of support.”

@mcuban Let me know in the comments ! https://docs.bsky.app/docs/advanced-guides/atproto. #savetiktok #tiktok## shout out to @Austin ♬ original sound – Mark Cuban

Originally conceived by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, Bluesky now has over 28 million users. This growth has been fueled in part by disenchanted Twitter users seeking refuge from Elon Musk’s controversial changes to the platform, now rebranded as X.

A Competitive Short-Video Landscape

TikTok’s uncertain future has spurred a competitive race among social media platforms. Meta recently introduced Edits, a video editing app designed to rival ByteDance’s CapCut, while X has rolled out a vertical video feed. Musk has also hinted at reviving Vine, the defunct six-second video platform, as part of X’s ecosystem.

While these platforms vie for TikTok’s user base, TikTok CEO Shou Chew has defended the app’s value, highlighting its role in supporting over 7 million American businesses. “Over 7 million American enterprises rely on TikTok to engage with customers and grow their brands,” Chew stated. However, the app’s absence from app stores has disrupted its growth, leaving competitors like Bluesky and Meta poised to capitalize on its struggles.

Broader Implications for Social Media Regulation

The challenges facing TikTok underscore broader concerns about the regulation of foreign-owned digital platforms. Critics fear that ByteDance’s ownership could enable the

Chinese government to access sensitive user data, a possibility that has fueled bipartisan calls for stricter oversight. TikTok’s legal battle reflects the growing tension between national security priorities and the economic interests tied to global technology companies.

For Bluesky, the shift toward decentralized models offers a unique opportunity to redefine social media. By giving users control over their data and allowing developers to build interoperable applications, Bluesky presents itself as an alternative to traditional platforms while embracing features like customizable video feeds to compete in the lucrative short-video market.

Markus Kasanmascheff
Markus Kasanmascheff
Markus has been covering the tech industry for more than 15 years. He is holding a Master´s degree in International Economics and is the founder and managing editor of Winbuzzer.com.

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