How Bluesky Fixed Social Media’s Awkward First Date Problem

Bluesky is currently having its moment in the sun. Without diving into politics (this isn’t that kind of blog), let’s just say a certain election outcome left a lot of users fleeing the bird app in droves. As I write this, Bluesky is welcoming about 1 million new users a day, with total accounts now sitting at a staggering 20 million.

So yes, a moment in the sun ☀️.

This newfound fame has put Bluesky under a magnifying glass—what does it stand for? What kind of vibe does it bring to the table? And how does it hold up against the likes of Mastodon, X, and Threads? Naturally, I jumped on board to see what all the buzz was about. After spending two weeks exploring, I can confidently say that the Starter Pack feature is one of its standout innovations—and my personal favorite.

What Are Starter Packs?

Bluesky’s Starter Packs are like pre-packed lunchboxes for your social media experience—except instead of sandwiches and juice, they’re filled with curated accounts and custom feeds. They’re designed to help you hit the ground running when you join Bluesky, eliminating that awkward “Where do I even start?” phase that often plagues new users.

At its core, a Starter Pack is a collection of up to 150 accounts and three custom feeds, handpicked around a specific theme or interest (eg, Science and Technology). When you choose a Starter Pack during onboarding (or even as an existing user), Bluesky automatically follows the included accounts and subscribes to the feeds for you, instantly populating your timeline with relevant, engaging content.

How Starter Packs Work

Starter Packs are for everyone—whether you’re brand new to Bluesky or already a regular. Here’s how they work:

For New Users

If you join through a friend’s Starter Pack, you’ll start off with their curated recommendations. Two feeds will be pinned for you automatically: Following and Discover. From there, you can tweak your setup by adding or removing recommendations to suit your vibe.

For Existing Users

Already on Bluesky? No problem. Starter Packs can still help you onboard into a new community or check out your friend’s recommendations to expand your feed.

Finding Starter Packs

Discovering Starter Packs is easy:

• Your friends can text you a direct link
• You can scan a QR code
• Look for Starter Pack links shared on social networks
• Inside Bluesky, keep an eye out for Starter Pack previews in posts—they’ll show the pack’s name and suggested users

Note: Starter Packs aren’t searchable within the app yet. To find one, you’ll need a direct link, a QR code, or you might come across a preview in someone’s post

Why Starter Packs Matter in the Social Media Landscape

Joining a new social platform can feel like walking into a party where you don’t know a soul—awkward, disorienting, and more likely to send you running for the door than sticking around. Starter Packs solve this by being your social concierge, connecting you with people and communities that align with your vibe.

I believe it’s a real fix to a common problem. Traditional onboarding usually means picking a few vague interests and crossing your fingers that the algorithm figures you out. Spoiler: it almost never does. What you’re left with is a feed that feels random, cluttered, and more frustrating than fun. Starter Packs are different—they’re built by actual people, not code, which means your feed feels thoughtful and alive right out of the gate.

Finding Your Place in the Sun ☀️

I remember when I joined Threads. It, too, had its moment—a massive wave of users fleeing the X app and jumping onto the platform. But honestly? It felt like being dropped in a wasteland. The algorithm was throwing everything at me—gym influencers, clickbaity posts—and I had no clue how to find the creators who made my X app experience worthwhile. It was frustrating, and I didn’t stick around for long.

If Threads had something like a Starter Pack, I bet my experience would have been completely different. Instead of wandering around aimlessly, I could have jumped straight into the conversations and communities I cared about. That’s what makes Bluesky’s approach so refreshing—it understands that joining a new platform isn’t just about creating an account, it’s about finding your community.

Starter Packs aren’t just a feature; they’re a way of saying, “We get it, and we’ve got you.” They transform that awkward “new platform” phase into something actually enjoyable. No more doom-scrolling through random feeds or playing algorithm roulette to find your people.

So, if you’re thinking of joining Bluesky, find a Starter Pack that speaks to your interests. And if you’re already there? Create one and share it. After all, the best part of social media is finding your people—and Starter Packs make that easier than ever.

Featured Image Credit: via Bluesky(bsky.app)