Bluesky Rolls Out Private Bookmarking with ‘Saved Posts’
Social networking platform Bluesky has unveiled one of its most requested features: private bookmarks, branded as “Saved Posts.” Accessible via a new bookmark icon beneath each post, the feature allows users to privately save content for later reference, distinguishing itself from the platform’s public liking system.
Addressing Privacy in a Public Network
Unlike traditional likes, which are visible publicly on Bluesky, bookmarks provide a discreet way for users to curate posts without broadcasting their interests. This privacy is particularly valuable for users such as journalists, who may want to save posts for research without signaling their focus publicly, or others who prefer to keep certain saved content confidential.
This move contrasts with platforms like X, where the public nature of likes has previously been identified as a deterrent to engagement. X’s decision to hide likes was motivated by concerns that public likes could discourage users from interacting with certain content due to reputational considerations.
Technical Constraints and Workarounds
Currently, the AT Protocol that underpins Bluesky does not support private data storage. To circumvent this, Bluesky stores bookmarks off-protocol, ensuring their privacy similarly to how its direct messages are handled. The company suggests that future protocol enhancements could enable native private data handling, potentially altering how bookmarks function.
Enhancing User Experience and Engagement
The introduction of Saved Posts is expected to foster greater user interaction by enabling a curated collection of posts users wish to revisit, rather than relying solely on public likes or improvised methods such as replying with a red pushpin emoji. Bluesky even provides a migration tool to help users transition from these informal saving strategies.
This feature rollout follows a recent update that added combined photo and video uploads, feedback tools for custom feed creators, and options to add users to Starter Parks—curated groups of recommended accounts to follow.
FinOracleAI — Market View
Bluesky’s introduction of private bookmarks addresses a critical user demand for discretion in content saving, which could improve platform engagement and retention. By offering a private alternative to public likes, the feature mitigates privacy concerns inherent in the current AT Protocol limitations. The off-protocol storage approach is a pragmatic interim solution, though future protocol updates may further enhance functionality.
Impact: positive
