Bluesky, Jack Dorsey’s Twitter alternative, is still in its early stages and remains invite-only. However, the platform’s leaders have recently shared their vision for the open-source platform. Bluesky aims to create a “marketplace of algorithms” that will enable users to control how content is filtered and sorted. According to CEO Jay Graber’s blog post, this feature will provide developers with the freedom to experiment with and publish algorithms that anyone can use.
The marketplace of algorithms will also offer users the ability to customize their feed, thereby providing them with control over their most valuable resource: their attention. Bluesky was initially a Twitter-backed side project, but it officially split from Twitter in 2021. It has since become one of the many upstart Twitter clones that have emerged since Elon Musk’s takeover of the company.
While the idea of an algorithmic marketplace is still in its early stages, Bluesky is currently working on feed APIs for developers, as well as a “feed selection system” that will allow users to browse third-party feeds they can integrate into their timelines. It is important to note that Jack Dorsey has been a longtime proponent of “algorithmic choice” and even raised the idea of an algorithm marketplace during his tenure at Twitter.
Graber’s post suggests that allowing users to choose their own algorithm, including a chronological feed, could address the backlash against the perceived algorithmic manipulation of people’s timelines. Bluesky’s algorithmic marketplace has the potential to empower users while offering developers the opportunity to experiment with and create innovative algorithms that can benefit the broader community.
In conclusion, Bluesky’s vision of a marketplace of algorithms is an exciting development for the platform and its users. With the potential to give users more control over their feeds, and offer developers the freedom to innovate, Bluesky could pave the way for a new era of social media. While still in its early stages, Bluesky’s approach aligns with Jack Dorsey’s long-standing commitment to algorithmic choice and could provide a blueprint for other social media platforms seeking to empower their users.
