What the next era of social could be

“There are many things of which a wise man might wish to be ignorant.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

I’ve been spending less time on the usual social platforms lately.

And by that, I really just mean Instagram because it’s the only one I still use. Not because I’m trying to detox or unplug, but because they don’t feel built for how I want to create anymore.

Too much noise. Too many ads. Too much chasing the algorithm just to be seen.

Take Instagram, for example. My “For You” page is full of content I’d never seek out. My feed is clogged with ads and suggested accounts I didn’t ask for. And when I share something new, my stats show it’s only reaching a handful of my followers.

So I started looking for alternatives and that led me to Bluesky.

Now, I’m not particularly tech-savvy, and I’ve never been a prolific social media user, but what stood out to me was how much Bluesky reminded me of Twitter’s early days. Back then, the platform was a space to exchange ideas, not just stir things up for engagement.

And it’s not just the vibe that feels familiar. It’s the underlying structure, like it’s bringing back a time when the internet was more user-driven, less controlled by a handful of companies.

The more I dive into what Bluesky’s really building ― a decentralized, open protocol for social media ― the more it seems like a glimpse into a possible future for online connection.

Open by design

If you’re not familiar with Bluesky, it actually began inside Twitter but quickly spun off into its own thing. 

And from what I understand, it runs on something called the AT Protocol, which is a new way to build social media that’s open and decentralized.

Instead of one company owning everything, Bluesky aims to create a foundation where different apps can connect and work together. 

This means you’re not stuck inside just one platform or app.

The idea goes beyond any single app. It’s about rethinking how social media works, who controls it, who owns your data, and how people find and interact with each other.

Breaking big tech’s hold

One of the biggest changes Bluesky brings is decentralization. 

That means your account and data aren’t locked into just one app or company.

Right now, the major social platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter are controlled by a handful of billionaires. This means that the rules, algorithms, and even what content gets shown often reflect business interests and political pressures.

You might spend years building a following there, but you don’t actually own that audience. If the platform changes direction, or if corporate or political priorities shift, your reach could vanish overnight. 

Take Twitter for example. Since becoming X, it’s felt more like a product of one person’s whims than a space for real conversation. And over on Instagram, all the big creators are calling out the drop in reach and how impossible it is to get seen without paying or chasing trends.  

Bluesky wants to shift that power back to the user. It lets you carry your identity and followers across different apps built on the same open protocol.

So if one app doesn’t feel right anymore, you can switch to another without losing your connections.

It’s about reclaiming control ― over your audience, your data, and your experience.

The internet we miss

Another thing that sets Bluesky apart is that it’s open source.

Anyone can look at the code, build on it, and create apps that plug into the same network. Instead of one giant app trying to do everything, Bluesky’s ecosystem lets different apps focus on different things.

Some apps are built to look and feel like Instagram, others like TikTok. Two interesting ones to check out: Skylight, which has a TikTok vibe, and Flashes, which looks and feels a lot like Instagram. Flashes isn’t on Android yet, but it’s in the works.

What’s cool is you don’t have to rebuild your entire network on each app. Your followers travel with you, but what you see and how it’s displayed depends on the app you choose.

This openness creates space for creativity and experimentation. It feels like a chance to bring back the internet’s early spirit, when communities formed around shared interests, not just algorithms designed to keep you glued to the screen.

You control the feed

One of the coolest parts of Bluesky is how it handles algorithms.

Instead of one company deciding what you see, often based on ads or what keeps you scrolling, you get to pick how your feed works.

Different apps built on Bluesky’s protocol can offer their own ways to sort content, or you can even make your own feed if you want.

Want a simple chronological timeline? Easy. Prefer seeing what your closest friends share? That’s an option too.

Plus, you have way more control over who can interact with you and how.

It puts you back in control. You get to choose what you see and who gets through, instead of letting the platform call the shots.

You own your data

With Bluesky, you actually own your data.

That might sound obvious, but it’s huge. Right now, platforms like Instagram and TikTok hold all your information ― your followers, posts, likes ― and they decide how it’s used.

If they change their rules or get sold, you could lose access or see your content disappear.

Bluesky stores your data on the open protocol, not locked away in any one company’s vault.

That means you keep your followers, your history, and your identity no matter which app you use or where the platform goes next.

This is social media designed around you, not a company’s bottom line.

The long road ahead

Bluesky feels like a fresh chance to build social spaces that actually work for the people in them, but it’s still early, and a lot is up in the air.

Decentralized platforms come with their own challenges, like figuring out how to handle harmful content without one central authority, or making sure the tech stays user-friendly as it grows.

There’s also the question of whether enough people will jump in to make it truly vibrant and diverse, or if it’ll stay a niche space for early adopters and tech enthusiasts.

And of course, there’s no guarantee Bluesky will outlast or outgrow the giants it hopes to disrupt.

But part of what’s exciting here is watching it unfold and seeing how communities, creators, and builders respond and shape what’s next.

Not quite there — yet

Honestly, I want to shift completely away from the big platforms.

But I’ve decided the time isn’t quite right yet. These new decentralized spaces still feel a bit raw and waiting to find their footing.

That said, I’d love to see more people start exploring Bluesky and others like it.

The more we move toward platforms where we own our data and control our experience, the better social media can become.

Maybe Bluesky won’t be the whole answer, but it’s a step in the right direction, and I’m curious to see where it leads as more people join and shape it.

For now, I’m watching, learning, and hoping for a future where we’re in charge of our online lives, not a few billionaires.

That’s all for this one.

If you’re curious to see what Bluesky’s all about, come say hi ― you can find me @highertrail.

Not sponsored ― just cautiously optimistic for a better internet.

TLDR: Imagine social media built for people, not corporations ― say hello to Bluesky.