Bluesky uses a moderation system where independent services can apply labels to accounts and posts. These third-party labelers act as content moderators, allowing you to filter or hide content based on specific criteria. You might want to subscribe to a labeler to block spam, hide low-quality replies, or identify bots in your feed. This article explains what third-party labelers are and shows you how to subscribe to one using the Bluesky web interface and mobile app.
Key Takeaways: Subscribing to a Third-Party Labeler on Bluesky
- Settings > Moderation > Moderation Lists: Find and add labeler services from the list of available providers.
- Labeler Profile Card: Click the labeler’s name in a post or search result to see the subscription button.
- Subscription Confirmation: After subscribing, labels apply automatically to your feeds and notifications.
What a Third-Party Labeler Does on Bluesky
A third-party labeler is an independent service that creates and applies labels to Bluesky accounts and posts. These labels can indicate categories such as spam, bot, low-quality, or misinformation. The Bluesky team does not control these services; they are run by community members, developers, or organizations.
When you subscribe to a labeler, Bluesky automatically checks each post and account against that labeler’s rules. If a match is found, a small tag appears on the content. You can then choose to hide, warn, or ignore that label in your moderation settings. This gives you fine-grained control over what you see without relying solely on Bluesky’s built-in moderation.
Prerequisites for subscribing to a labeler:
- A Bluesky account with a verified email address.
- A supported third-party labeler that is publicly listed on Bluesky.
- The Bluesky web app (at bsky.app) or the mobile app (iOS or Android).
How to Subscribe to a Third-Party Labeler on Bluesky
You can subscribe to a third-party labeler using either the Bluesky web interface or the mobile app. The steps are nearly identical on both platforms.
Method 1: Subscribe via the Settings Menu
- Open Bluesky Settings
On the web, click your profile picture in the left sidebar and select Settings. On mobile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, then tap Settings. - Go to Moderation Lists
In the Settings menu, locate the Moderation section. Click or tap Moderation Lists. This page shows all labelers and moderation lists you have subscribed to. - Browse Available Labelers
On the Moderation Lists page, look for a section labeled Third-Party Labelers or Available Labelers. Bluesky may display a few recommended labelers here. If the labeler you want is not listed, you need to find its profile first. - Find the Labeler’s Profile
Use the search bar at the top of the app to type the labeler’s name or handle. For example, search for “spam-labeler.bsky.social” or “bot-detector.bsky.social.” The labeler appears as a regular Bluesky account with a label icon. - Click the Subscribe Button
Open the labeler’s profile page. You will see a button labeled Subscribe or Add to Moderation. Click or tap this button. A confirmation dialog appears. - Confirm the Subscription
In the confirmation dialog, review the labeler’s description and the types of labels it applies. Click Subscribe or Add to confirm. The button changes to Subscribed or Added. - Adjust Label Behavior (Optional)
After subscribing, go back to Settings > Moderation > Moderation Lists. Find the labeler in your list and click the gear icon or Edit button. You can set each label to Show, Warn, or Hide. Choose Hide to automatically remove content that matches the label.
Method 2: Subscribe Directly from a Post or Account
Some labelers apply labels to accounts or posts that you may encounter in your feed. If you see a label attached to a post, you can subscribe directly from that interaction.
- Locate a Labeled Post or Account
Scroll your timeline and look for a post or account that has a small tag, such as “Spam” or “Bot.” The tag appears near the account name or at the bottom of the post. - Click the Label Tag
Click or tap the label tag. A popup or tooltip appears showing the labeler’s name and a brief description. - Visit the Labeler’s Profile
In the popup, click the labeler’s name or the View Labeler link. This takes you to the labeler’s profile page. - Subscribe Using the Profile Button
On the labeler’s profile, click the Subscribe button and confirm as described in Method 1, steps 5 through 7.
Common Issues When Subscribing to a Labeler
Labeler Is Not Appearing in Search Results
If you cannot find a specific labeler, double-check the exact handle. Labeler handles often end with “.bsky.social” or a custom domain. If the labeler is private or suspended, it will not appear. You can ask the labeler’s developer for the correct handle.
Subscribe Button Is Grayed Out or Missing
This usually means the labeler has reached its maximum subscriber limit or is temporarily disabled. Some labelers limit the number of subscribers to manage server load. Try subscribing later or contact the labeler’s operator for status updates.
Labels Do Not Appear After Subscribing
Labels may take a few minutes to propagate across Bluesky’s infrastructure. If labels still do not appear after 10 minutes, check your moderation settings to ensure the label is set to Show or Warn. If it is set to Hide, content will be removed from your view, which is the expected behavior. You can temporarily change the setting to Warn to see if labels are being applied.
Accidentally Subscribed to the Wrong Labeler
To unsubscribe, go to Settings > Moderation > Moderation Lists, find the labeler, and click the Unsubscribe or Remove button. Confirm the removal. The labeler’s labels will stop affecting your feed within a few seconds.
Third-Party Labeler vs Bluesky’s Built-In Moderation
| Item | Third-Party Labeler | Bluesky Built-In Moderation |
|---|---|---|
| Control | User chooses which labelers to subscribe to | Bluesky sets default rules |
| Label Types | Custom labels defined by the labeler operator | Predefined labels like spam, hate speech, and harassment |
| Scope | Applies only to your account | Applies globally to all Bluesky users |
| Privacy | Labeler may see your account’s public data | Bluesky sees your account data |
| Reliability | Depends on labeler’s server uptime | Maintained by Bluesky team |
You now know how to subscribe to a third-party labeler on Bluesky using the Settings menu or directly from a labeled post. After subscribing, adjust each label’s behavior to Show, Warn, or Hide to tailor your moderation experience. As a next step, explore the Moderation Lists section to see if any recommended labelers match your interests. For advanced control, try subscribing to multiple labelers and combining their rules to create a highly customized content filter.