Bluesky Pilots ‘Live Now’ Feature for Twitch and YouTube Streamers

Bluesky, the decentralized social network inspired by early Twitter, is quietly rolling out a new “Live Now” feature aimed at real-time content creators. This experimental feature allows selected users to display a live status badge when they are actively streaming on platforms like YouTube or Twitch.

Although Bluesky does not support livestreaming natively, the new tool lets users link their external streaming accounts directly to their Bluesky profiles. When a linked stream is active, a red “Live” badge appears around the user’s profile picture, alerting followers that the account is broadcasting in real time.

According to Bluesky, this update targets “streamers, journalists, and anyone sharing live moments as they happen,” and is intended to support more dynamic, up-to-the-minute interactions.

The feature is still in early testing and currently limited to a small group of users. One of the first public examples came from the NBA, which used its official Bluesky account to showcase the live badge during active streaming. Bluesky COO Rose Wang mentioned that the NBA plans to steer fans to livestreamed content promoted through its Bluesky presence, a move reminiscent of the NBA’s role in shaping Twitter’s early live-event culture.

Unlike larger platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Bluesky does not run ads or follow a traditional monetization model. Instead, the “Live Now” badge is part of an effort to make the platform more engaging and culturally relevant by promoting off-platform activity.

Bluesky’s decision to integrate third-party livestreams rather than developing its own native streaming service reflects its commitment to lightweight and creator-friendly infrastructure. This approach could help Bluesky attract new communities and creators seeking alternatives to more commercialized ecosystems.

If this experiment proves successful, Bluesky could evolve into a key space for live commentary, cultural events, and interactive discussions—even without operating its own video services. The “Live Now” badge may seem like a small addition, but it underscores the platform’s broader goal: to become a central hub for real-time, community-driven conversations.

Also Bluesky continues to evolve its platform features rapidly, from livestream integrations to identity tools. For users interested in gaining credibility and visibility on the network, the newly launched Bluesky verification program allows select accounts to apply for a verified badge—though the criteria for approval are still being refined.