Bluesky outlines 2026 roadmap to improve core features

Social network Bluesky has outlined its product roadmap for 2026, focusing on improving its algorithmic Discover feed, user recommendations, and real-time features. In a post on the company’s website, Bluesky’s Head of Product, Alex Benzer, acknowledged that the platform’s “basics need to be solid” before it can expect users to stick around. The platform, which launched to the public in early 2024 after an invite-only period, operates as a decentralized alternative to competitors like X and Threads.

This strategic shift comes as the platform navigates a complex growth phase. Bluesky has scaled to over 42 million users, according to data sourced directly from the Bluesky API for developers. However, the platform is also managing a significant usage slowdown. According to data from Similarweb, a market intelligence provider, as reported by Forbes, Bluesky experienced a 40% year-over-year drop in daily active users as of October 2025. This decline highlights the challenge of retaining users after initial surges of interest.

To address these retention issues, the 2026 roadmap targets core usability and media handling. Benzer noted that the app’s composer must improve, stating that three-minute-long videos are insufficient and that the platform should support posting more than four photos at a time. The roadmap also focuses on improving the algorithmic Discover feed and recommendations. Additionally, the company is building curation tools to make high-quality and timely custom feeds available during live events. Benzer explained that the team is exploring features to make these feeds feel “less like just scrolling through posts and more like hanging out” during live moments.

The company also plans to expand its broader ecosystem, which the community refers to as the “Atmosphere,” by improving interoperability with other applications built on the AT Protocol—the underlying decentralized technology for the platform. For instance, users who go live on Twitch or Streamplace, another application powered by the AT Protocol, will see a LIVE badge appear on their Bluesky profile photo. Benzer stated that another integration of this type is coming “soon,” signaling a push to deepen the platform’s decentralized network.

Why it matters

Bluesky is attempting to pivot from rapid user acquisition to product maturity, acknowledging that it must fix fundamental usability issues to retain its user base. As the platform faces stiff competition from established rivals like X and Threads, its long-term viability depends on transitioning from a temporary alternative during competitor disruptions into a stable, feature-complete social network.