Bluesky gives you control over what you see in your feeds. One way to fine-tune your experience is by subscribing to labelers. A labeler is a moderation service that attaches tags to posts, such as content warnings or topic markers. If you want to block certain types of content without muting entire accounts, a custom labeler can help. This article explains how to find and subscribe to a labeler on Bluesky.
Key Takeaways: Adding a Labeler on Bluesky
- Settings > Moderation > Moderation Services: The central hub to view and manage all subscribed labelers.
- Labeler handle or URL: You need the exact handle like @example-labeler.bsky.social or a direct link to the labeler profile.
- Search bar in Settings: Use the search box inside Moderation Services to find a labeler by its display name or handle.
What a Labeler Does and How It Works
A labeler is a special type of Bluesky account that runs a moderation service. Instead of blocking or muting accounts, a labeler scans posts and applies labels to them. Those labels can indicate things like adult content, spoilers, misinformation, or even topics like AI art. When you subscribe to a labeler, its labels become active in your account. Posts that match the labeler’s criteria will be hidden, blurred, or flagged depending on your settings.
Labelers are created by third-party developers or community members. They are not part of Bluesky’s built-in moderation. You choose which labelers to trust and subscribe to. This gives you a personalized moderation layer on top of the default content filters.
Prerequisites for Subscribing
Before you subscribe, make sure you have the following:
- A Bluesky account that is at least a few days old. Some labelers require a minimum account age.
- The exact handle or URL of the labeler you want to add. You can find labelers through Bluesky directories, social posts, or community lists.
- A stable internet connection. The subscription process requires fetching the labeler’s metadata from Bluesky’s servers.
Steps to Subscribe to a Labeler on Bluesky
Follow these steps to add a custom moderation service to your account. The process is the same on the Bluesky web app and the mobile apps for iOS and Android.
- Open Settings
In the Bluesky app, tap your profile avatar in the bottom-right corner. Then tap the gear icon in the top-right corner to open Settings. - Go to Moderation
In the Settings menu, scroll down to the section labeled Moderation. Tap it to open the moderation options. - Open Moderation Services
Inside the Moderation menu, tap Moderation Services. This page shows a list of all labelers you are currently subscribed to. - Search for the Labeler
At the top of the Moderation Services page, there is a search bar. Type the name or handle of the labeler you want to add. For example, type @ai-art-labeler.bsky.social. As you type, matching labelers appear in a dropdown list. - Tap the Labeler to Subscribe
Tap the labeler’s name in the search results. A preview page opens showing the labeler’s description and the labels it provides. Tap the Subscribe button. A confirmation dialog appears. Tap Subscribe again to confirm. - Configure Label Visibility
After subscribing, the labeler appears in your Moderation Services list. Tap the labeler entry to open its settings. For each label the labeler provides, you can choose a visibility level: Hide, Warn, or Show. Tap the label and select your preference. Repeat for each label.
Alternative Method: Subscribe via a Direct Link
If you have a direct URL to the labeler’s profile, you can subscribe even faster. Open Bluesky in a web browser and paste the URL into the address bar. The labeler’s profile page loads. Tap the Subscribe button on the profile. The labeler is added to your Moderation Services immediately.
Common Issues When Adding a Labeler
The Labeler Does Not Appear in Search
If you cannot find a labeler by searching, the labeler may not be registered with Bluesky’s directory. Some labelers are experimental and only accessible via a direct link. Ask the labeler creator for the exact URL. If the URL does not load, the labeler may be offline or deleted.
Subscribe Button Is Grayed Out
A grayed-out Subscribe button means your account does not meet the labeler’s requirements. Common reasons include a very new account or an account with insufficient activity. Wait a few days and try again. If the button remains gray, contact the labeler operator for details.
Labels Not Applying After Subscription
If you subscribed but posts are not being filtered, check two things. First, open the labeler settings in Moderation Services and verify that each label is set to Hide or Warn, not Show. Second, make sure the labeler is actively scanning posts. Some labelers process posts slowly. Give it up to an hour to apply labels to recent content.
Labeler Subscription vs Built-in Moderation
| Item | Labeler Subscription | Built-in Moderation |
|---|---|---|
| Source of labels | Third-party community or developer | Bluesky staff |
| Control over visibility | Per-label settings (Hide, Warn, Show) | Global content filters (adult, hate, etc) |
| Customization | Highly customizable by choosing labelers | Limited to preset categories |
| Account requirement | Minimum account age may be required | No minimum age |
| Performance impact | Depends on labeler scanning speed | Instant on Bluesky servers |
You can now subscribe to a custom labeler and adjust its labels to match your preferences. After subscribing, check the labeler settings to ensure each label is set to your desired visibility. For advanced control, try adding multiple labelers to cover different content categories. One tip: use a labeler that marks AI-generated images and set that label to Hide to automatically remove such posts from your feeds.