How to Post on Bluesky: Text, Images, Video and Reply Settings

Posting on Bluesky will feel familiar if you've ever used Twitter, but there are a few differences worth knowing before you start: a 300-character limit, reply controls on every post, and the option to stop people quoting you. Here's how to write your first post, add media, and use the settings that keep conversations civil.

Write your first Bluesky post

1. Open Bluesky in the app or on the web and sign in.
2. Tap the new post button to open the composer.
3. Type your post. Bluesky allows up to 300 characters.
4. Add an image, video or link if you want to.
5. Check the reply setting and change it if you'd like to limit replies.
6. Tap Post.

What you can add to a post

Add this	What to know
Text	Up to 300 characters, according to Bluesky's developer docs
Images	Add alt text so people using screen readers know what's in them
Video	One video per post, up to 3 minutes since app version 1.99, in .mp4, .mpeg, .webm or .mov
Link	Bluesky shows a preview card for the web page
Quote	Embed someone else's post in yours

Getting a good link preview

When you paste a web address, Bluesky creates a link card, the preview with an image and headline. Wait for the card to appear before posting, and check the image and headline it picked are the ones you want people to see. If the card looks wrong, the page itself may be missing a preview image, which is worth fixing on your own website.

Control who can reply

Every Bluesky post can have reply rules. Bluesky's documentation lists options for letting only people you mention, people you follow, your followers or people on a list reply. If you set nothing, anyone can reply. There's also a followers-only reply setting, which Bluesky says helps keep discussions focused on trusted connections. For anything likely to attract trolls, set this before you post.

Stop people quoting your post

Bluesky lets you detach quote posts, which it describes as a way to limit unwanted attention or dogpiling. If someone quotes your post in a way you don't like, you can remove your post from their quote. It's one of the features that makes Bluesky feel calmer than other networks.

Posting video

Bluesky launched video with a 60-second limit and has since raised it: with app version 1.99, Bluesky announced videos can be up to 3 minutes long. Each post carries one video. Videos auto-play by default, so open with something worth watching in the first second, and remember some people turn auto-play off in their settings.

Threads: going beyond 300 characters

If you've got more to say, write a thread: post the first part, then reply to yourself with the next. Keep each post readable on its own, and put the key point in the first one, because that's the post most people will see in their feed.

Images and alt text

Bluesky's developer docs show that images are uploaded together with an alt-text description, which is the short text read aloud by screen readers. In the app you'll see the option to add it when you attach a picture. Describe what matters in the image in a sentence: 'Chart showing website visits doubling over six months' is far more useful than 'chart'. It takes seconds and makes your post usable for more people.

Editing and deleting posts

Check your post before you send it. Treat every Bluesky post as final once it's out: if you spot a mistake, the cleanest fix is to delete the post from its menu and post a corrected version, ideally quickly, before replies pile up. For longer pieces, write the post in your notes app first so you can count characters and tidy the wording before it goes live.

Hashtags, mentions and feeds

Mention someone by typing @ and their handle, and they'll get a notification. Hashtags work too, and they help your post turn up when people search or browse a topic. Bluesky also has custom feeds, built around topics, which many people use instead of the main timeline, so a clear, specific post on a topic is more likely to be picked up than a vague one.

Tips for posts people engage with

• Lead with the most interesting line, not the context.
• Add alt text to every image. It makes your post accessible to people using screen readers.
• Ask a real question if you want replies.
• Tag people only when the post is relevant to them.
• Post when your audience is online, and reply to replies.

If you're moving over from X, my guide on seeing someone's replies on X shows how differently X handles conversations. And if you decide Bluesky isn't for you, here's how to delete your Bluesky account.

My verdict

Open the composer, write under 300 characters, add alt text to images, and set your reply rules before you post. Use threads for longer ideas and up to 3 minutes for video. Bluesky gives you more control over replies and quotes than most networks, so use it.

Frequently asked questions

How do I make a post on Bluesky?

Tap the new post button, type your text, add any images, video or link, choose who can reply and tap Post.

What is the character limit on Bluesky?

Bluesky's developer documentation says posts can be up to 300 characters.

How long can Bluesky videos be?

Bluesky announced with app version 1.99 that videos can be up to 3 minutes long, with one video per post.

Can I stop people replying to my Bluesky post?

Yes. Reply settings let you limit replies to people you mention, follow, your followers or a list. With no setting, anyone can reply.

Can I stop people quoting my Bluesky posts?

Yes. Bluesky lets you detach quote posts to limit unwanted attention.