One of Bluesky's most innovative features is its stackable moderation system - a revolutionary approach that puts you in control of what you see. Unlike traditional social networks where a single company decides what content gets filtered, Bluesky lets you customize your experience with labelers, content filters, mute lists, and block lists.

Whether you're a Bluesky developer building moderation tools, a creator looking to grow your Bluesky following responsibly, or simply someone who wants a safer social media experience, understanding Bluesky's moderation settings is essential. In this guide, we'll explain how each component works and how Skyscraper for iOS supports them.

What is Bluesky's Stackable Moderation?

Bluesky's moderation architecture is fundamentally different from platforms like Twitter/X or Facebook. Instead of relying on a single moderation team to make all decisions, Bluesky uses a layered, stackable approach with multiple systems working together:

  • Network-level takedowns - Content that violates Bluesky's terms is removed at the infrastructure level
  • Labeling services (labelers) - Third-party and official services that tag content with descriptive labels
  • User controls - Personal settings for mutes, blocks, and content filter preferences

This means you're not stuck with one company's idea of what's appropriate. You can subscribe to moderation services that align with your values and customize exactly what appears in your feed.

Understanding Bluesky Labelers

Labelers (also called labeling services) are the heart of Bluesky's moderation system. They're services that analyze content across the network and apply descriptive labels to posts and accounts.

How Labelers Work

Labeling services scan content and attach labels that describe what it contains. When you subscribe to a labeler, you choose how to respond to each type of label:

  • Show - Display the content normally
  • Warn - Show a warning overlay that you must click through
  • Hide - Completely remove the content from your view

For example, imagine a labeler called "Arachnophobia Safe" that identifies photos of spiders. If you subscribe to it and set spider-related labels to "Hide," those images completely disappear from your timeline. Someone else might set it to "Warn" to see a content warning first.

Subscribing to Labelers

You can subscribe to up to 20 labelers simultaneously. Bluesky's official moderation service is always active, leaving you 19 slots for additional services. Popular labelers include:

  • Bluesky Moderation (built-in) - Official moderation for illegal content, harassment, and spam
  • Community safety labelers - Focus on specific types of harmful content
  • Topic-specific labelers - Filter content related to particular subjects (politics, sports spoilers, etc.)
  • Adult content labelers - Identify NSFW material for appropriate filtering

Finding and Adding Labelers

To subscribe to a labeler:

  1. Find a labeler's Bluesky profile (they're regular accounts with labeling capabilities)
  2. Visit their profile and look for the "Subscribe to Labeler" option
  3. Configure how you want each label type handled (Show, Warn, or Hide)
  4. The labeler immediately starts affecting your content display

Content Filter Settings

Beyond labelers, Bluesky provides built-in content filter settings that control how you see certain categories of content. These settings work alongside labelers to give you complete control.

Accessing Content Filters

To adjust your content filter settings:

  1. Go to Settings in Bluesky or Skyscraper
  2. Navigate to the Moderation section
  3. Find Content Filters
  4. Set your preferences for each category

Content Filter Categories

The main content filter categories include:

Category Description Options
Adult Content Sexually explicit material Show / Warn / Hide
Suggestive Sexually suggestive but not explicit Show / Warn / Hide
Graphic Media Violence, gore, or disturbing imagery Show / Warn / Hide

Adult Content Settings

Bluesky allows adult content but gives users full control over whether they see it. If you're over 18 and want to enable adult content:

  1. Go to Settings → Moderation → Content Filters
  2. Find the Adult Content toggle and enable it
  3. Choose whether to Show, Warn, or use default settings for adult material

Note: Some users have reported issues with adult content settings not saving on mobile devices. If you experience this, try adjusting settings on the desktop web app at bsky.app, then sign back into your mobile app.

Self-Labeling Your Content

If you're a creator posting content that might be sensitive, self-labeling is essential. It helps you build trust with your audience and ensures your content reaches people who want to see it while being filtered for those who don't.

How to Self-Label Posts

  1. Create your post as normal
  2. Before posting, look for the Label or content warning option
  3. Select the appropriate category (Suggestive, Adult, Graphic, etc.)
  4. Publish your post with the label attached

Why Self-Labeling Matters for Growing Your Audience

Self-labeling might seem counterintuitive when you're trying to grow your Bluesky following, but it actually helps in several ways:

  • Builds trust - Users appreciate creators who respect their content preferences
  • Avoids moderation issues - Properly labeled content won't be reported for mislabeling
  • Reaches the right audience - People who want your content type will have filters set to show it
  • Protects your account - Consistent mislabeling can result in moderation action

Mute Lists and Block Lists

Beyond labelers, Bluesky offers community-curated lists for muting and blocking accounts in bulk. These are powerful tools for customizing your experience.

Mute Lists

A mute list silences all accounts on the list. When you subscribe:

  • Posts from listed accounts disappear from your feeds
  • You won't see their replies or quote posts
  • They can still see and interact with your content
  • They don't know they're muted

Mute lists are great for filtering out topics or communities you're not interested in without confrontation.

Block Lists

A block list is more restrictive. When you subscribe:

  • Listed accounts cannot see your posts
  • They cannot follow you or interact with your content
  • You won't see any of their content
  • They may see that they're blocked if they visit your profile

Block lists are useful for avoiding known harassment accounts, spam networks, or problematic communities.

Finding Lists to Subscribe To

Lists are shared by users across Bluesky. You can find them by:

  • Following recommendations from people you trust
  • Searching for list creators focused on specific topics
  • Looking at what lists popular accounts in your niche subscribe to

Individual Muting and Blocking

Beyond lists, you always have the ability to mute or block individual accounts:

Muting an Account

  • Visit the account's profile
  • Tap the menu (three dots)
  • Select "Mute Account"
  • Optionally set a time limit for the mute

Blocking an Account

  • Visit the account's profile
  • Tap the menu (three dots)
  • Select "Block Account"
  • Confirm the block

Ozone: Bluesky's Open-Source Moderation Tool

For developers and communities wanting to run their own labeling service, Bluesky has open-sourced Ozone - the same moderation tool their team uses internally.

Ozone enables:

  • Team-based moderation - Multiple moderators can collaborate
  • Report handling - Process user reports systematically
  • Label management - Apply labels to content network-wide
  • Audit trails - Track moderation decisions

If you're a Bluesky developer interested in creating moderation tools or running a labeling service for your community, Ozone is the foundation you need. Check the Bluesky documentation for implementation details.

How Skyscraper Supports Bluesky Moderation

Skyscraper for iOS fully supports Bluesky's moderation system, giving you complete control over your experience:

Full Labeler Support

  • Subscribe to labelers directly within the app
  • Configure label responses (Show, Warn, Hide) for each labeler
  • Manage your subscriptions with an easy-to-use interface

Content Filter Controls

  • Access all content filter settings from Skyscraper's settings menu
  • Adjust adult content, suggestive, and graphic media preferences
  • Settings sync with your Bluesky account across all devices

List Management

  • Subscribe to mute and block lists you discover
  • View your subscribed lists and manage them
  • Individual mute and block with one tap

Self-Labeling for Creators

  • Label your posts when composing content
  • Easy category selection for sensitive content
  • Protect your audience and account reputation

Respect for Your Preferences

Skyscraper respects all your moderation settings. Labeled content is displayed according to your preferences, hidden content stays hidden, and warnings appear when configured. Your customized Bluesky experience travels with you.

Best Practices for Growing Your Bluesky Following Safely

If you want to become popular on Bluesky while maintaining a positive experience, here are moderation-related tips:

For Creators

  1. Always self-label sensitive content - Protect your audience and account
  2. Understand your audience's likely settings - If they hide adult content, your unlabeled NSFW won't reach them anyway
  3. Be consistent - Establish clear content expectations for your followers
  4. Use content warnings thoughtfully - For topics like spoilers, trauma, or controversial subjects

For Growing an Audience

  1. Curate your experience with labelers - A cleaner feed means you engage with content aligned with your brand
  2. Use mute lists strategically - Filter out noise so you can focus on your niche
  3. Don't over-block - You might miss opportunities for connection
  4. Engage authentically - Moderation tools let you create the space you need to focus on genuine interaction

For Developers

  1. Support the full moderation API - Users expect their settings to work in third-party apps
  2. Consider building a labeler - There's room for specialized moderation services
  3. Use Ozone - It's battle-tested and open source
  4. Respect user preferences - Never bypass moderation settings

The Future of Bluesky Moderation

Bluesky continues to invest in its moderation architecture. In 2025 and beyond, we expect to see:

  • More sophisticated labelers using AI for better content detection
  • Improved proactive detection to catch harmful content faster
  • Better labeler discovery to help users find services that match their needs
  • More granular controls for fine-tuning content preferences

The stackable moderation approach is one of Bluesky's key innovations, setting it apart from centralized platforms where you have no control over content filtering decisions.

Start Customizing Your Bluesky Experience

Bluesky's moderation system puts you in control. Whether you want to filter out content you'd rather not see, label your own posts responsibly, or build moderation tools as a developer, the platform provides the tools you need.

Download Skyscraper for iOS

Ready to grow your Bluesky following with the right tools? Skyscraper for iOS supports all of Bluesky's moderation features, helping you build your audience in a safe, customized environment. Use our trending hashtags tool to discover what's popular, and start growing your presence today.

Have questions about Bluesky moderation or building labeling services? Reach out at contact@getskyscraper.com.