Bluesky resources for the VCSE (Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprise) sector

 
What is Bluesky? 

Bluesky is a social media platform founded by Jack Dorsey (Twitter's CEO until 2021), that runs with an, almost, identical interface as X. Bluesky opened public registrations for the platform in February 2024 and has since grown to a user base of over 30 million, averaging at over 1 new user a second. You can view the live counter here. 

We have put together a handy guide of comparisons between X and Bluesky below: 

X
Bluesky
Max. 280 characters for free accounts Max. 300 character posts (including usernames, tags and website URLs)
Advertisements and monestisation No advertisements or monetisation
Can post text, photos (max. 4) and videos (2 minutes 20 seconds max. for free, 4 hours for premium) Can post text, photos (max. 4) and videos (max. 60 seconds)
Can schedule and draft content No function to draft or schedule
Hashtags and tags Hashtags and tags
Chosen algorithm Customisable algorithm 
Messaging function Messaging function 
Verification through monthly payment Verification of username through DNS
Blocking only stops interactions Fully functioning blocking feature 
Unmoderated Moderated content
Analytics available through premium features No current offer of analytical figures
Poll feature No option of running polls
Trending page Trending page and customisable feeds

 

Useful resources: 

Making the switch to Bluesky 

Since Twitter was bought by Elon Musk back in April 2022, there have been significant changes to the platform over the past few years that have resulted in a toxic atmosphere, loss in engagement and an algorithm that negatively impacts non-profit organisations. 

Macc has made the decision, as of February 10th 2025, to step back from using X and move to Bluesky. You can read our full statement and justification of this change here. With other organisations in a similar boat, we have pulled together some useful information to help you with your move to Bluesky. 

Whether you are deciding to quiet quit, deactivate your account or cut down on using Twitter, Bluesky offers a fantastic replacement with an, almost, identical interface to X, making it easy to learn and pick up. 

You can follow our Bluesky account here!

Useful resources: 

 

Deleting your X account

If you have made the decision to deactivate your X account and are unsure of how to do this, follow these simple steps. 

  1. Open you X homepage
  2. Click 'More' (from the lefthand icon menu)
  3. Click 'Settings and privacy'
  4. Choose 'Your account'
  5. Click 'Deactivate your account' 
  6. Click 'Deactivate' 

From here, your account will be deactivated for 30 days, in which you can reopen your account at any time by logging into X with your original password and email address. Once in, this will cancel your deactivation. To deactivate again, you must go through the above list to do so. 

By deciding not to reopen your deactivated account, after the 30 days your account will be permanently deleted from X. 

 

What's a starter pack?

Starter packs can be put together by anyone with a Bluesky account. There are a wide range of different starter packs on the platform which you can find through using the platform, or by visiting Bluesky Directory. These can be a good way to find the types of people, organisations or businesses you would like to follow based off of your interests. 

Not sure who to follow as a VCSE organisation? Take a look at the Bluesky VCSE starter packs: 

  1. First wave organisations (September-November 2024)
  2. Second wave organisations (November-January 2025)
  3. Third wave organisations (Mid January 2025)
  4. Support organisations
  5. GM LIOs
  6. Community Centres
  7. Scottish charities
  8. UK Local authorities 
  9. Hospice care
  10. Fundraising agencies
  11. Part one third sector workers
  12. Part two third sector workers

  13. Part three third sector workers

     

How do you find your X followers on Bluesky? 

A growing proportion of VCSE organisations have joined Bluesky, many of which have used the same usernames as they have on their other platforms. 

Thanks to a helpful desktop extension, you can download Sky Follower Bridge extension to scan your current following/followers to find them on Bluesky. 

Here is a useful guide on how to use Sky Follower Bridge. 

Tell your followers you are moving to Bluesky! Add this information in your bio, write a post or your username for other X users to help find you over on Bluesky. 

 

Using alt text 

As with X, users of Bluesky are able to add alt text to their posts. Alt text acts as a visual description of an image for those with a visual impairment that may be using a screen reader. This can also be useful for when a website fails to correctly load images, the alt text will share the description of the visual instead. 

Bluesky also offers an optional reminder to add alt text, this can be turned on by: 

  1. Opening Bluesky 
  2. Clicking 'Settings' in the left hand icons
  3. Clicking 'Accessibility'
  4. Tick 'Require alt text before posting'

Useful resources: 

 

Other helpful resources