{
  "id": 3812846,
  "title": "Bluesky adds an ‘algorithmic opt-out’ feature for those who don’t want to go viral",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/bluesky-adds-an-algorithmic-opt-out-feature-for-those-who-dont-want",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-27T20:15:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechCrunch",
    "slug": "techcrunch",
    "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/27/bluesky-adds-an-algorithmic-opt-out-feature-for-those-who-dont-want-to-go-viral/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Open social network Bluesky has introduced a new algorithmic opt-out feature, allowing users to prevent their posts from appearing in the main Discover feed. Posts on Bluesky's network are public by default, but the new feature makes a user's public posts less discoverable to individuals outside their existing personal network. The company's decision to add this feature came from users who wish to post for their followers without the risk of going viral. To opt out, users can toggle a new option in the app's Privacy and Security settings. The change may take up to an hour to fully take effect. What's unique about this feature is that it extends beyond Bluesky's app, as the preference is recorded at the account level. This means the choice follows the user even when they post from another app powered by the same underlying protocol used by Bluesky, AT Proto. While other apps have access to this information, they must decide whether to respect it.",
  "summary": "Sometimes people just want to post to their followers, Bluesky says.",
  "key_points": [
    "Bluesky introduces 'algorithmic opt-out' feature for users to avoid going viral.",
    "Users can disable visibility of posts in Discover feed via Privacy and Security settings.",
    "Opt-out preference syncs across apps using AT Proto protocol."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Techmeme",
        "title": "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)",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/bluesky-launches-a-feature-to-let-users-hide-their-posts-from-non",
        "published": "2026-08-28T10:30:10.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Mashable",
        "title": "Bluesky will let you opt-out of going viral",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/bluesky-will-let-you-opt-out-of-going-viral",
        "published": "2026-08-28T16:00:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Digital Trends",
        "title": "Bluesky now has a feature to save you from accidentally going viral. I want it everywhere.",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/bluesky-now-has-a-feature-to-save-you-from-accidentally-going-viral-i",
        "published": "2026-08-28T19:20:13.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}