Bluesky Tests Live Status Indicator to Promote YouTube and Twitch Streams

Bluesky has begun testing a new feature designed to support content creators who stream on platforms like YouTube and Twitch. The feature, called the “Live” indicator, will appear around a user’s profile picture whenever they are actively streaming.

Unlike Twitter (now X), which requires content to be hosted within the platform for visibility, Bluesky’s approach is more open. The streaming itself does not take place on Bluesky. Instead, the platform acts as a gateway—when a user clicks the Live indicator, they’ll see a broadcast thumbnail, a stream title, and information about where the stream is hosted.

Starting this week, eligible users can link their live streams from platforms like YouTube or Twitch directly on their Bluesky profiles. If a creator is live, a visual indicator will be displayed to signal that streaming is in progress.

As part of this initial test, the feature is currently being used on the official NBA account. Once testing concludes, Bluesky plans to expand the functionality to a broader group of users.

The company is also seeking feedback during this trial phase to refine the feature before a wider release.

This move contrasts sharply with the direction taken by X, where sports organizations like the NFL, MLB, and NHL are required to stream content directly on the platform to retain viewers. Bluesky, on the other hand, aims to enable discovery without forcing users to stay inside its app.

In a post shared on May 22, Bluesky COO Rose Wang explained the company’s stance:

“We’re not trying to trap you into watching on Bluesky. We want you to use Bluesky to find out what’s happening on other platforms.”

This feature is another step in Bluesky’s efforts to build a more open and creator-friendly social network that enhances user experience without becoming a walled garden.