You use Bluesky and follow several custom feeds. Some of these feeds keep appearing in the Discover tab even when you do not want them there. This happens because custom feeds that you follow can be shown in the Discover algorithm by default. This article explains how to block a custom feed from appearing in your Discover feed and how to manage feed visibility settings.
Key Takeaways: Remove a Custom Feed From the Discover Tab
- Feed page menu icon (three dots): Opens the option to block a feed from appearing in Discover and other algorithmic surfaces.
- Settings > Moderation > Muted Feeds: Lets you view and manage all feeds you have blocked from Discover.
- Unfollow the feed: Removes the feed from your following list, which also stops it from influencing Discover.
How Custom Feeds Affect the Discover Tab
Bluesky’s Discover tab uses an algorithm that considers the feeds you follow. When you follow a custom feed, the algorithm may include posts from that feed in your Discover results. This is a design choice to personalize Discover based on your interests. However, not every followed feed should influence Discover. Some feeds are too broad, contain repetitive content, or are only useful for occasional browsing.
Bluesky provides a way to block individual feeds from appearing in Discover without unfollowing them. This is useful when you want to keep a feed in your following list for manual checking but do not want its posts to clutter your algorithmic feed. The feature is part of Bluesky’s moderation and feed management tools.
The block applies only to the Discover tab and related algorithmic surfaces. It does not remove the feed from your following list or stop you from viewing the feed directly. You can reverse the block at any time.
Steps to Block a Custom Feed From Discover
- Open the custom feed you want to block
Go to your Bluesky home screen. Tap or click the feed name in the sidebar or your following list. The feed page opens showing its posts and description. - Tap the three-dot menu icon
Look for the three-dot icon near the feed name or on the feed header. It is usually on the right side of the screen. Tap or click it to open a dropdown menu. - Select the block option
In the dropdown menu, tap or click the option that says Block feed from Discover or Hide from Discover. The exact wording may vary slightly by app version. After selecting it, the feed will no longer appear in your Discover tab. - Verify the block
Go to your Discover tab. Scroll through the posts. You should no longer see content from the blocked feed. If you still see it, repeat the steps or check the Muted Feeds list in Settings.
How to View and Manage Blocked Feeds
You can see all feeds you have blocked from Discover in one place. This is helpful if you want to unblock a feed or review your choices.
- Open Settings
Tap or click your profile picture in the top-left corner. Select Settings from the menu. - Go to Moderation
In the Settings page, tap or click Moderation. This section contains tools for muting words, accounts, and feeds. - Select Muted Feeds
Tap or click Muted Feeds. A list of all feeds you have blocked from Discover appears. You can tap the three-dot menu next to a feed and select Unblock feed from Discover to reverse the block.
Alternative Method: Unfollow the Feed
If you no longer want a custom feed to affect any part of your experience, unfollow it. Unfollowing removes the feed from your following list and stops it from influencing Discover. This is a more permanent solution than blocking.
- Open the feed page
Navigate to the custom feed you want to unfollow. - Tap the Following button
On the feed page, tap or click the Following button. It changes to Follow and the feed is removed from your list.
Unfollowing does not delete the feed. You can follow it again later. If you only want to stop the feed from appearing in Discover, use the block method instead of unfollowing.
Common Issues When Blocking a Feed
Block Option Is Missing
Some older versions of the Bluesky app do not have the block feed option. Update the app to the latest version from your app store. On the web version, the option is available in all modern browsers. If you still cannot see it, try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache.
Blocked Feed Still Shows in Discover
The block may take a few minutes to apply. If the feed still appears after 10 minutes, go to Settings > Moderation > Muted Feeds and confirm the feed is listed. If it is not listed, repeat the block steps. If it is listed but still appears, report the issue to Bluesky support through the in-app feedback tool.
Block Affects Other Tabs
Blocking a feed from Discover only affects the Discover tab and algorithmic surfaces like the For You feed. It does not affect the feed’s own page or the Following tab. If you want to hide the feed completely, you must unfollow it.
Blocked vs Unfollowed: Comparison
| Item | Blocked Feed | Unfollowed Feed |
|---|---|---|
| Effect on Discover tab | Feed posts are hidden from Discover | Feed posts are hidden from Discover |
| Feed remains in following list | Yes | No |
| Can still view feed manually | Yes | No, unless you follow again |
| Reversibility | Unblock in Muted Feeds | Follow the feed again |
Blocking is the better choice when you want to keep the feed in your following list for occasional use. Unfollowing is better when you no longer want any interaction with the feed.
How to Block a Feed on the Bluesky Mobile App
The steps are nearly identical on iOS and Android. Open the feed page, tap the three-dot icon, and select the block option. The only difference is the placement of the three-dot icon. On Android, it is often in the top-right corner of the feed header. On iOS, it is in the same location. If you cannot find it, scroll to the top of the feed page and look near the feed name.
After blocking, you can verify by checking the Muted Feeds list in Settings > Moderation. The feed appears there with a note that it is blocked from Discover.
Conclusion
You can now block any custom feed from appearing in your Bluesky Discover tab. Use the three-dot menu on the feed page to apply the block quickly. Manage all blocked feeds in Settings > Moderation > Muted Feeds. This keeps your Discover tab focused on content you actually want to see. For a permanent removal, unfollow the feed instead. Remember that blocking only affects algorithmic feeds, not the feed’s own page.