Bluesky launches a feature to let users hide their posts from non-followers in its Discover feed; other AT Proto apps can choose whether to respect the opt-out (Sarah Perez/TechCrunch)

Bluesky has introduced a new feature that allows users to hide their posts from non-followers in its Discover feed. This opt-out feature is part of the app's algorithmic feed, which currently surfaces any public post on the Bluesky network.

The feature does not make posts private, as Bluesky is still working on rolling out support for private data at the protocol level. Instead, it makes public posts less discoverable to people outside a user's existing personal network. According to TechCrunch, the company created this feature because some users want to post for their followers without their words being exposed to larger crowds.

To opt out of having posts shown in the Discover feed, users can toggle on a new option in the app's Privacy and Security settings. The change can take up to an hour to fully take effect. The preference is recorded at the account level, meaning the choice travels with the user even if they're posting from another app powered by the same underlying protocol. Other AT Proto apps can choose whether to respect the opt-out.

Brief written by urgent.news from Techmeme, TechCrunch — 2 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.