Disappointing Experience with Bluesky Social
My experience with Bluesky Social has been disappointing in several aspects. Despite its intention to replicate the success of platforms like Twitter (X), Tumblr and Instagram, it faces multiple issues that affect usability and user experience.
Firstly, the lack of options to send files such as PDF, JPG, JFIF, BMP, WEBP, or GIF in direct messages is a significant inconvenience. This functionality is basic in other social media like instagram, and its absence limits user interaction. Additionally, I have experienced constant connection problems, including NGINX 404 errors, which make the platform unreliable.
When trying to upload a profile picture, I often encounter a strange glitching visual style, with bars or a green color that does not look professional. I have also had difficulties accessing the platform on several occasions, which is frustrating.
The registration process is another weak point. When trying to register with a Gmail/AOL/Proton account, I encountered a captcha that sometimes displayed the error "Handle too long," which is annoying and confusing. Furthermore, the inability to create conversation threads, a feature that has already been implemented in other platforms like Threads, limits users' ability to interact effectively.
Another concerning aspect is the presence of inappropriate content, such as lolicon and shotacon, which is illegal in many countries. This raises serious doubts about content moderation on the platform. There is also a lack of an account verification system to help eliminate fake profiles and bots, contributing to an unsafe user experience. I have found fake accounts of public figures, such as Maria Corina Machado (mariacorinaya.bsky.social; unofficial/fake), that lack verification and profile pictures, which can lead to confusion. Additionally, there is a noticeable problem with spam, scammers, and fake accounts created by individuals posing as women to steal money from users.
Additionally, I have noticed that the translation into Spanish is often poor. Phrases like "borrar esta post" instead of "borrar esta publicación" are clear examples of bad translation, which seems to have been done using automated tools like Google Translate. It would be advisable to use higher-quality translation services, such as DeepL, or to hire professional translators to ensure more effective communication in other languages.
In summary, Bluesky Social urgently needs to improve in several areas: from basic functionality to content moderation, account verification, and translation quality. Without these improvements, it is difficult for it to compete with platforms like Threads or Mastodon, which are rapidly gaining ground.
I hope the platform takes these constructive criticisms into account to improve the user experience in the future.
Date of experience: April 20, 2024
