Bluesky allows users to post adult content, but you may want to hide it from your feeds and notifications. The platform includes built-in moderation tools that let you label adult material and control whether it appears. This article explains how to enable content labeling on your own posts and how to filter adult content from what you see. You will learn the exact steps to adjust these settings in the Bluesky web app and mobile app.
Key Takeaways: Hiding Adult Content on Bluesky
- Settings > Moderation > Adult Content: Toggle the option to hide adult content from your feeds and searches.
- Post composer > Content Warning: Label your own posts as adult content to prevent them from being seen by users who filter it.
- Muted Words & Muted Users: Block specific words or accounts to further refine what appears in your timeline.
How Bluesky Content Filters Work
Bluesky uses a labeling system to categorize posts that contain adult content. When a user marks a post as adult, Bluesky can hide that post from other users who have enabled the adult content filter. The filter applies to the Home feed, the Discover feed, and search results. It does not affect direct messages or private posts. You can also choose to see adult content but have it blurred by default. The system relies on users correctly labeling their own posts. If a user does not label their adult content, it may still appear in your feed even with the filter enabled. Bluesky also allows you to mute specific words or entire accounts for additional control.
Steps to Hide Adult Content From Your Feeds
The following steps apply to the Bluesky web app at bsky.app and the official Bluesky mobile app on iOS and Android. The menu locations are identical across platforms.
- Open Bluesky Settings
Click or tap your profile picture in the top-left corner of the screen. Then click or tap the gear icon labeled Settings. - Go to Moderation
In the Settings menu, select the Moderation option. This section contains all content filtering controls. - Select Adult Content
Under the Moderation heading, click or tap Adult Content. You will see three options: Show adult content, Blur adult content, and Hide adult content. - Choose Hide Adult Content
Select the Hide adult content radio button. A confirmation dialog may appear asking you to confirm your choice. Click or tap Confirm or Hide. - Save Changes
Bluesky saves your selection automatically. No additional save button is needed. Return to your Home feed to see the effect.
After you select Hide adult content, posts labeled as adult will no longer appear in your Home feed, Discover feed, or search results. If you choose Blur adult content, those posts will appear blurred and you must tap or click them to view the content.
How to Label Your Own Posts as Adult Content
If you post adult content, you should label it so other users can filter it. This is required by Bluesky’s community guidelines for certain types of content.
- Open the Post Composer
Click or tap the New Post button on the Home feed or your profile page. - Click the Content Warning Icon
In the post composer toolbar, find the icon that looks like a triangle with an exclamation mark. Click or tap it. - Select Adult Content
In the pop-up menu, choose Adult Content. You can also write a custom warning label if needed. - Post as Usual
Add your text, images, or video and click or tap Post. The post will now be tagged as adult content and filtered for users who have chosen to hide it.
How to Mute Specific Words or Accounts
Muting provides an additional layer of filtering beyond the adult content toggle. You can mute words that frequently appear in adult posts or mute accounts that post adult content you do not want to see.
- Open Settings > Moderation
Follow the same path as before to reach the Moderation section. - Select Muted Words
Click or tap Muted Words. Then click or tap Add muted word. - Enter the Word or Phrase
Type the word you want to mute. You can choose to mute it in feeds and notifications or only in feeds. Click or tap Add. - Mute an Account
Go to the profile of the account you want to mute. Click or tap the three-dot menu next to the Follow button. Select Mute Account.
Common Issues With Bluesky Content Filters
Adult Content Still Appears After Enabling the Filter
This usually happens because the post was not labeled as adult content by its author. The filter only hides posts that have the adult content label. If a user posts adult material without using the content warning, it will bypass the filter. You can report the post by clicking the three-dot menu on the post and selecting Report Post. Choose the option for misleading content or adult content without a label. Bluesky may label the post retroactively after review.
The Adult Content Setting Does Not Save
If the setting reverts to Show or Blur after you select Hide, try clearing your browser cache or app cache. On the web app, press Ctrl+F5 on Windows or Cmd+Shift+R on Mac to force refresh. On the mobile app, go to Settings > General > Clear Cache. Then repeat the steps to set the filter to Hide.
Muted Words Still Show in Search Results
Muted words block posts from your Home and Discover feeds, but they may still appear in search results. To block adult content from search, you must use the adult content filter instead of muted words. The filter applies to all search results. If you want to hide specific topics from search, you must mute individual accounts that post about those topics.
Comparison: Bluesky Content Filter Options
| Filter Option | What It Does | Where It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Show adult content | Displays all posts including those labeled as adult | Home feed, Discover, search |
| Blur adult content | Shows adult posts but blurs them until you tap or click | Home feed, Discover, search |
| Hide adult content | Removes adult-labeled posts from all feeds and search | Home feed, Discover, search |
| Muted Words | Hides posts containing specific words | Home feed, Discover, notifications |
| Muted Accounts | Hides all posts from a specific user | Home feed, Discover, notifications |
The adult content filter is the most effective way to hide adult material because it applies across all public areas of Bluesky. Muted words and muted accounts are useful for fine-tuning your feed after you have enabled the main filter.
You can now control whether adult content appears in your Bluesky feeds by using the adult content filter in Moderation settings. For posts you create, always use the content warning to label adult material. As a next step, explore the Muted Words feature to block specific terms that you find distracting. An advanced tip: you can combine the Hide adult content setting with a custom feed that only shows posts from accounts you follow, giving you a clean timeline without relying solely on the filter.