Why Bluesky Wants to Make Social Media 'Live' Again

28 million users isn't enough for Bluesky. The platform wants to transform how we experience social media—moving beyond endless scrolling to create spaces where people actually "hang out" together online.

Bluesky product head Alex Benzer unveiled the platform's 2026 roadmap with a clear mission: make feeds feel more interactive and timely during live events. "We're exploring new features and interactions within feeds that make them feel less like just scrolling through posts and more like hanging out," Benzer explained.

The timing isn't coincidental. As Elon Musk'sX continues to alienate users, Bluesky sees an opportunity to redefine what social media should be.

The Battle for Real-Time Relevance

Bluesky's focus on "live" experiences represents a fundamental shift in social media strategy. While platforms like X and Instagram have doubled down on algorithmic feeds that prioritize engagement over timeliness, Bluesky is betting on shared, real-time experiences.

This isn't just about competing with X—it's about reclaiming the original promise of social media. Remember when Twitter felt like a global town square during major events? Bluesky wants to recreate that magic, but with better tools and fewer trolls.

The platform's decentralized architecture gives it unique advantages here. Unlike traditional social networks controlled by single entities, Bluesky's protocol allows for more experimental approaches to real-time interaction without the same scalability concerns.

Technical Challenges and Opportunities

Making social media feel "live" sounds simple, but the technical execution is complex. Real-time features require robust infrastructure, minimal latency, and sophisticated content moderation—all while maintaining the platform's commitment to user control and decentralization.

Benzer's mention of taking an "experimental approach" suggests Bluesky will roll out features gradually, testing what works with its community. This iterative strategy could give them an edge over larger platforms that move slowly due to their massive user bases.

The improvements to posting and follow suggestions also hint at Bluesky's broader strategy: making the platform more intuitive for newcomers while deepening engagement for existing users.

Market Implications

For investors and industry watchers, Bluesky's pivot toward live features signals confidence in its growth trajectory. The platform has already proven it can attract users fleeing X—now it needs to prove it can keep them engaged long-term.

The success of this strategy could influence how other social platforms evolve. If Bluesky successfully creates more engaging, live experiences, expect competitors to follow suit. We might see Meta, Snapchat, and others experimenting with similar real-time features.