Why using a custom domain as your handle on the blue sky app is advantageous for future portability and trust building
You want your audience to be able to recognize you across platforms, yeah? Bluesky gives you the option to link a custom domain name to your profile. While this might seem like a small technical step, using a custom domain offers significant advantages.
Linking a custom domain to your Bluesky account is a strategic move that gives you more control over your online presence. Setting up your domain name as a central hub in your online presence enhances your credibility, builds trust with your audience, and ensures that your brand or personal identity is portable in the future. Plus, it acts as a form of verification, letting users know that you’re the real deal. For example, a handle such as @TheOnion.com is easily recognizable as belonging to the publication as many readers are familiar with that website. In addition to letting users know it’s not an imposter, it’s much shorter and easier to remember than the default username of @theonion.bsky.social.
So this is basically a verified system without the weird, elitist, or cheaply sold blue check badges.
It hasn’t really caught on yet, but Bluesky recently announced a new feature that allows users to seamlessly purchase and manage domains directly through Bluesky. With this option, you can easily set a custom domain as your Bluesky handle. If you’re ready to purchase a domain through Bluesky go here. For technical details check out How to set your domain as your hand on Bluesky.
What is a Custom Domain on Bluesky?
A custom domain refers to a personalized web address (e.g., yourbrand.com or yourname.com) that points to your profile on Bluesky. This replaces the standard URL provided by the platform giving you a branded, professional look. You may already own a domain for your business or personal website, and linking it to your Bluesky account ensures consistency across all of your online properties.
Usernames are key to successful branding and also really important right now just for being able to find each other on social apps and digital platforms during a major shakeup in the social media landscape.
For years I have gone by @kim on twitter, YouTube, Kickstarter, soundcloud, medium, periscope, ello, angel.co, Mastodon, Spoutible, etc. Now, I’ve decided to start using my domain name “web.kim” going forward.
The Benefits of Using a Custom Domain on Bluesky
Future Portability
One of the biggest advantages of using a custom domain on Bluesky is portability. The digital landscape is constantly changing, and platforms rise and fall in popularity. By using your own domain, you create an independent identity that isn’t tied solely to the Bluesky app—or any other platform, for that matter. If you ever decide to leave Bluesky or migrate to a different service, your audience can still find you through your domain.
This gives you a level of control and flexibility over your brand’s presence. You’re not tied to the whims of platform algorithms or a sudden shift in social trends. Instead, your domain becomes the hub for your content, and apps like Bluesky become just one way to connect with your audience.
The promise of Bluesky is that hopefully in the future you will be able to move your entire Bluesky network of friends, followers, likes and media as long as the new app you’re moving to is built on the AT protocol.
Trust is especially important for businesses, creators, and public figures right now. In a world full of impersonation accounts and fake profiles, being able to verify your identity through a website you already own serves as a powerful proof of legitimacy. It signals that you are a professional or a business that takes its online presence seriously.
Now’s the time to make the switch to a custom domain and future-proof your brand on Bluesky. Well, that’s my plan, anyway.
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Butterfly photo by Geetha Sravanthi E on Unsplash
