When you post on Bluesky, anyone on the network can reply by default. This can lead to unwanted noise or harassment in your conversations. Bluesky offers built-in reply controls that let you restrict replies to specific groups of people. This article explains how to set reply limits before you post and what each restriction level does.
Reply controls are set per post, not for your entire account. You choose who can reply each time you compose a new post. The options range from everyone to only people you mention. Once a post is published, you cannot change the reply setting for that post. You must delete and repost to apply a different restriction.
This guide covers each reply option in detail, how to apply them from the desktop and mobile apps, and what happens when someone tries to reply but is blocked by your setting. You will also learn about a common limitation: reply controls do not prevent quote posts or reshares.
Key Takeaways: Bluesky Reply Controls
- Compose box > Reply settings icon: Opens the dropdown menu to choose who can reply to your post.
- Everybody: Default setting — any Bluesky user can reply.
- Nobody: Completely disables replies to the post.
- Mentioned users: Only people you tag with @username in the post can reply.
- Followed users: Only accounts you follow can reply.
How Bluesky Reply Controls Work
Bluesky reply controls are a moderation feature built into the compose window. When you create a new post, a small icon with two overlapping speech bubbles appears at the bottom of the compose box. Tapping or clicking this icon opens a menu with four options. Each option restricts who can write a reply directly under your post.
The system enforces these restrictions at the server level. If a user who is not allowed to reply clicks the reply button, the reply box does not appear. Instead, they see a message that replies are limited. The user can still like, repost, or quote your post.
Available Reply Options
The four reply options are:
- Everybody: Any Bluesky user, including those you block or mute, can reply. This is the default for all new accounts.
- Mentioned users: Only the accounts you explicitly tag using @username in the post text can reply. If you do not tag anyone, no one can reply.
- Followed users: Only accounts that you follow can reply. This includes accounts you follow that you have also muted.
- Nobody: No one can reply to the post. The reply button is disabled for all users.
Steps to Set Reply Controls on Desktop
- Open the compose box
Click the “New Post” button in the left sidebar. It looks like a pen icon or a blue button with a plus sign. - Write your post
Type your message in the text area. Add any images, links, or alt text. - Click the reply settings icon
Look at the bottom of the compose box. You will see an icon with two overlapping speech bubbles. Click it to open the dropdown menu. - Select a reply option
From the menu, choose one of the four options: Everybody, Mentioned Users, Followed Users, or Nobody. The icon changes color to indicate your selection. - Post your message
Click the blue “Post” button. Your reply control is now active for that post.
Steps to Set Reply Controls on Mobile
- Tap the compose button
On the Bluesky mobile app, tap the pen icon in the bottom center of the screen. - Write your post
Type your message in the compose field. Add media if needed. - Tap the reply settings icon
Below the text area, you will see a row of icons. Tap the one with two speech bubbles. A menu slides up. - Choose a reply option
Tap one of the four options. The menu closes and the icon updates to show your choice. - Tap Post
Tap the blue “Post” button to publish. The reply restriction applies immediately.
What Happens When Someone Tries to Reply
When a user who is not allowed to reply clicks the reply button, the app shows a message instead of the reply text box. On desktop, a small banner appears above the post that says “Replies are limited.” On mobile, a similar banner appears. The user can still interact with the post by liking, reposting, or quoting it.
If you set replies to “Mentioned users” but forget to tag anyone, no one can reply to that post. This includes you. You cannot reply to your own post if you are not mentioned. To fix this, you must delete the post and create a new one with the correct tags.
Common Issues and Limitations
Reply Controls Do Not Block Quote Posts
Setting replies to “Nobody” or “Mentioned users” does not prevent other users from quote-posting your content. A quote post is a reshare of your post with added commentary. To block quote posts, you must use a different feature: mute or block the user, or set your account to private. Bluesky does not currently offer a per-post quote post restriction.
Reply Controls Do Not Block Reshares
Anyone can repost your content regardless of the reply setting. Reply controls only affect the ability to write a direct reply under your post. If you want to prevent reshares, you must use the “Nobody” reply setting combined with blocking individual users who reshare your content.
Changing Reply Controls After Posting
You cannot edit the reply setting after a post is published. The only way to change it is to delete the post and create a new one with the desired restriction. This is a deliberate design choice to prevent abuse and ensure that reply limits are visible to all users before they engage.
Bluesky Reply Controls: Feature Comparison
| Setting | Allowed to Reply | Blocked Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Everybody | All Bluesky users | None |
| Mentioned Users | Only accounts tagged in the post | All other users |
| Followed Users | Only accounts you follow | Users you do not follow |
| Nobody | No one | All users, including yourself |
You now know how to limit who can reply to your Bluesky posts using the built-in reply controls. To apply a restriction, always set it before you hit the Post button. For deeper moderation, combine reply controls with mute and block lists. One advanced tip: use the “Mentioned users” option together with a thread starter post that tags your closest contacts to keep a conversation private among that group.