Bluesky Explores Paid Features Despite Social Media Subscription Hurdles
Social app Bluesky is venturing into the realm of paid subscription features, potentially following a path carved by platforms like X (formerly Twitter) but with a keen awareness of the subscription model’s challenges.
According to a recent announcement on the developer platform GitHub, the Bluesky team is experimenting with add-ons that would require a monthly subscription fee. These features could include a coveted Bluesky profile badge, detailed analytics, extended video upload capabilities, and personalized profile customizations.
However, Bluesky emphasized that the current GitHub mockups are a work in progress, and the final pricing and available features could undergo changes before their official launch. The proposed pricing for Bluesky+ is $8 (€7.50) per month or $72 (€68) annually.
Bluesky’s Journey to Monetization
Launched in 2019 as a research project under Twitter and transitioning into an independent entity in 2021, Bluesky was conceived with the aim of remaining free to users while circumventing the reliance on advertising and user data monetization.
“Subscriptions are the first step,” Bluesky CEO Jay Graber revealed in a recent Wired interview. He hinted at potential future revenue streams, such as domain name sales, a marketplace for algorithms, and even, albeit cautiously, the possibility of incorporating advertising.
Subscription Challenges
This foray into subscriptions comes amidst mixed results for social media platforms embracing this model. Elon Musk’s efforts to bolster subscriptions on X Premium and reduce reliance on advertising revenue have, as reported by app intelligence firm Appfigures, generated approximately $200 million (€190 million) in in-app purchases since the 2021 launch of Twitter Blue.
Bluesky’s leadership undoubtedly recognizes these challenges and seeks a unique path to sustainability while prioritizing user access and data privacy.
Will Bluesky overcome the subscription hurdles faced by other social media platforms? Time will tell. What are your thoughts on paid features on social media? Let us know in the comments below!
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