Bluesky, a new social media platform backed by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, has recently secured additional funding and introduced its first paid service. The company raised $8 million in seed funds and announced the launch of a paid service that allows users to have a personalized domain as their username on the platform.
Bluesky plans to use the funds to expand its team, handle operational and infrastructure costs, and further develop its AT Protocol, which powers the Bluesky app. The AT Protocol serves as an alternative to ActivityPub, the technology behind decentralized Twitter rival Mastodon and Meta’s Threads app.
In partnership with Namecheap, Bluesky offers a paid domain service that enables users to authenticate their identity. The company emphasizes user data ownership and aims to ensure the platform’s sustainability, distinguishing itself from ad-reliant companies.
Bluesky is exploring alternative methods of monetization as it prioritizes user control over their data. Users can search and pay for a domain name within the Bluesky interface, streamlining the process compared to using a separate domain registrar.
The integrated service allows users to easily manage their domain settings and configurations within Bluesky. They can forward emails sent to their domains to a preferred address and redirect their domain to their Bluesky profile or a specific URL. If they decide to leave the platform or switch to a different registrar, transferring their domain is simple.
