Bluesky lets you block other users, but managing blocks one by one can be slow. You might want to block an entire group of accounts that share the same behavior, such as spammers or bots. Public block lists solve this problem by letting you subscribe to a pre-made list that blocks many accounts at once. This article explains what public block lists are, how they work, and how to use them safely on Bluesky.
Key Takeaways: Bluesky Public Block Lists
- Moderation > Moderation Lists: Subscribe to a list created by another user to block all accounts on that list automatically.
- List creator controls: The list owner can add or remove accounts at any time, and your blocks update automatically.
- Unsubscribe anytime: You can leave a block list without unblocking every account individually.
What Are Public Block Lists on Bluesky?
A public block list is a curated set of Bluesky accounts that another user has compiled and made visible to others. When you subscribe to the list, Bluesky immediately blocks every account on that list for you. The list owner can update the list by adding new accounts or removing old ones, and your blocks update automatically to match.
Bluesky calls these lists “moderation lists.” They appear in the Moderation section of the settings. The person who creates the list decides whether it is public or private. A public list can be seen and subscribed to by anyone on Bluesky. A private list exists only for the creator.
The feature uses Bluesky’s AT Protocol, which allows moderation actions to be shared between accounts. When you subscribe, your client sends a request to the relay to fetch the list. The relay then applies the block rules to your account. This happens in near real time, but there can be a short delay of a few seconds.
You do not need any special permissions to create or subscribe to a public block list. Any Bluesky user with a verified email can create one. There is no limit on how many lists you can subscribe to, but each list can hold up to 100,000 accounts.
How to Subscribe to a Public Block List
Follow these steps to subscribe to a public block list created by another user.
- Open the Moderation settings
In the Bluesky app or web client, go to Settings > Moderation > Moderation Lists. This page shows any lists you already subscribe to. - Find the list you want
You can discover public block lists through posts on Bluesky, shared links, or by searching for terms like “block list” in the search bar. When you find a list, click or tap the link to open its detail page. - Tap Subscribe
On the list detail page, tap the Subscribe button. A confirmation dialog appears. Confirm your choice. Bluesky immediately blocks all accounts currently on the list. - Verify the blocks
Go to Settings > Moderation > Muted & Blocked Accounts to see the newly blocked accounts. Each account shows the source list name next to it.
How to Create Your Own Public Block List
You can create a list and share it with others. This is useful if you want to help your community block known bad actors.
- Go to the Moderation Lists page
Navigate to Settings > Moderation > Moderation Lists. Tap Create New List. - Give the list a name and description
Enter a clear name such as “Spam Bots 2025” and a short description. Set the visibility to Public if you want others to find and subscribe to it. - Add accounts to the list
Tap Add Accounts. Search for a username or paste a Bluesky handle. You can add multiple accounts one by one. Each addition blocks that account for you and for all subscribers. - Share the list link
After creating the list, tap the share icon to copy the list URL. Post it in a feed or send it directly to others. Anyone with the link can subscribe.
Common Mistakes and Things to Avoid
Subscribing to an outdated list
A list creator may stop maintaining their list. Accounts that were added months ago may no longer be active or may have changed their behavior. To avoid blocking harmless accounts, check the list’s last updated date before subscribing. If the list has not been updated in over 30 days, consider finding a more active alternative.
Accidentally blocking friends or colleagues
A public block list may contain accounts that you actually want to follow. Before subscribing, review the list contents if the creator provides a preview. If you cannot preview, subscribe temporarily and then check the blocked accounts list. Unblock any false positives individually. Unblocking an account removes it from your block list but does not remove it from the shared list.
Creating a list with too many accounts
Bluesky allows up to 100,000 accounts per list. Adding that many accounts at once can slow down the app while it processes the blocks. Add accounts in batches of 500 or fewer to keep performance smooth. If you need a larger list, split it into multiple lists.
Not unsubscribing before deleting a list
If you created a public list and later decide to delete it, all subscribers will lose their blocks from that list. To avoid disrupting others, first unshare the list by setting it to private. Then send a message to subscribers warning them. After that, delete the list.
Public Block List vs Private Block List: Key Differences
| Item | Public Block List | Private Block List |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Anyone can see and subscribe | Only the creator can see it |
| Shareability | Can be shared via link or post | Cannot be shared |
| Block scope | Blocks apply to all subscribers | Blocks apply only to the creator |
| Use case | Community moderation | Personal moderation |
You can now subscribe to or create public block lists on Bluesky to manage unwanted accounts efficiently. Start by finding a well-maintained list for spam or harassment. If you prefer full control, create your own private list instead. For advanced moderation, combine block lists with muted words and domain blocking in Settings > Moderation > Muted Words.