Bluesky introduces trending topics feature for mobile app users

In a special holiday update on December 25th, the social media platform Bluesky rolled out a new feature designed to keep users informed about what’s currently popular within its community. The addition of a “Trending Topics” list is aimed at enhancing the user experience by providing insights into the subjects that are capturing attention among Bluesky users.

The feature is accessible via the search icon, represented by a magnifying glass, located at the bottom of the mobile app screen or on the left sidebar of the web interface. Once the search tab is selected, users will find a list of both trending and recommended topics displayed just below the search bar. Tapping on any of these topics will lead to a curated feed of related posts, allowing users to explore popular conversations around a particular subject.

Initial examples of trending topics include seasonal themes like “Christmas” and, somewhat unexpectedly, “Nosferatu”—the classic 1922 horror film. While the inclusion of Christmas is hardly surprising, the juxtaposition with Nosferatu highlights the platform’s diversity of interests, offering a mix of topical and niche content.

For users who prefer not to see the trending topics list, Bluesky has provided an option to disable the feature. By simply tapping the small “x” in the upper-right corner of the list, users can remove it from their view. Alternatively, users can go to Settings > Content & Media and toggle off the “Enable trending topics” option to prevent the list from appearing in the future.

This feature, currently labeled as “V1” and marked as a Beta version, indicates that it is still in the early stages of development. Bluesky has encouraged users to provide feedback, stating that they plan to refine the feature based on user input. This approach aligns with the platform’s broader commitment to user-driven improvements and adjustments.

Bluesky’s new Trending Topics feature places it in competition with other platforms that offer similar functionalities. The addition marks a significant update for the relatively new platform, as it continues to evolve and adapt to the needs and preferences of its growing user base, especially after people started leaving Twitter/X to join it.