Bluesky has officially launched its new 'Trending Topics' feature, introducing it to users with excitement during its Christmas announcement. The feature allows users to discover trending keywords worldwide, enhancing engagement on the decentralized social network.
The 'Trending Topics' feature is currently in beta testing and is accessible to users who set their application to English. According to the announcement made on December 26, 2024, users can easily access this feature by tapping the search icon located on the bottom bar of the app or the right sidebar for desktop users. "Merry Christmas from us to you 🎄🎁💙 We launched Trending Topics today, and you can find it by tapping the search icon on the bottom bar of the app or the right sidebar on desktop," Bluesky tweeted, emphasizing its commitment to user interaction.
For Japanese users, the 'Trending Topics' setting must be manually activated. The app does not default to this feature. To enable it, users can navigate to the settings menu, tap on 'Content Language,' and switch their content language from Japanese to English. This action allows the trending topics to appear based on popular keywords circulating globally.
When users engage with specific trending topics, they will see tabs like 'Top' and 'Latest,' presenting posts with the highest number of reposts and likes under each trending keyword. This information mirrors what users would encounter when searching for the topic directly.
One notable aspect of the 'Trending Topics' functionality is its ability to respect user preferences. If users have set certain keywords to be muted, those specific terms will not appear within the trending feed, allowing for customized engagement without irrelevant noise.
The beta version of the trending feature is still under development. Bluesky acknowledges the importance of user feedback for refining and enhancing this feature. By adopting initial input from users, the platform plans to continuously improve the functionality and relevance of the trending topics displayed to its audience.
Interestingly, Bluesky's move to introduce trending topics can be seen as part of its strategy to compete with other social media platforms, particularly Meta’s Threads, which began testing similar trending features earlier this year. Threads introduced its own version called 'Trending Rankings' to the Japanese audience back in October, showcasing the competitive nature of social media innovations.
To disable the 'Trending Topics' feature, users can easily go back to their settings under 'Content & Media' and toggle off the 'Enable trending topics' option. This flexibility ensures users can curate their own experience within the platform, aligning with Bluesky's overall focus on user control.
Overall, the beta launch of the 'Trending Topics' feature by Bluesky signifies its ambition to boost engagement and visibility on the platform. By allowing users to see popular discussions and keywords, the app is enhancing its position as a relevant player among social media giants.
With feedback-driven improvements on the horizon, users can expect more dynamic interactions and personalized content streams in the forthcoming iterations.
