Stability and Performance Now Top of Mind for Bluesky
In a recent announcement, Bluesky has stated that it will impose rate limits on specific actions within its application in order to improve network stability and security. Despite concerns from users about the potential impact on their posting experience, the company assures that these limitations will not affect the overall user experience.
Background: Record Traffic After Twitter/X’s Announcement
The move comes shortly after Bluesky saw a record high in traffic following Elon Musk’s announcement that Twitter would be doing away with the ‘block’ function. This decision sent users once again looking for alternative social media platforms, leading to an influx of new users on Bluesky.
Bluesky Buckles Under New Traffic
However, shortly after Musk’s proclamation, Bluesky buckled under the load of new traffic on August 18. Users experienced issues with slow load times and occasional error messages when trying to view posts. Images and graphics were also slow to load, causing frustration among users.
Issues Resolved, But Stability and Performance Now Top Priority
The issues were resolved later that day, but Bluesky welcomed the new users by announcing it had set a new traffic record. In a post on its platform, the company stated: "Early today, we experienced degraded performance on our server, causing the app to be slow for users, but this is now resolved."
Rate Limits Introduced to Improve Stability and Security
With stability and performance now top of mind, Bluesky has announced that it will introduce application rate limits for specific actions. These limitations include resetting your password or updating your user handle. The company explained in a post on its platform: "This update should not affect your experience on the service."
Key Features of Rate Limits
These are standard limitations on usage, unlike Twitter/X’s new rate limits imposed by Musk, which prevented users from viewing beyond a certain number of posts. Bluesky’s rate limits aim to ensure that its network remains stable and secure while still providing an optimal user experience.
Bluesky 1.46 Release: New Features and Fixes
In addition to the introduction of rate limits, Bluesky has also announced the release of version 1.46. This new version includes several features and fixes, including:
- Shortened links
- Ability to report lists and feeds to moderators
- Visual improvements to link cards
- Removal of adult content labels on posts without images
- Various other fixes, including removal of muted and blocked users from suggested follows lists
Release Now Rolling Out to iOS and Web
The new release is now rolling out to iOS and web platforms, with Android to follow shortly.
Conclusion
Bluesky’s decision to impose rate limits on specific actions within its application demonstrates the company’s commitment to ensuring a stable and secure network for its users. While concerns about user experience have been raised, Bluesky assures that these limitations will not affect posting experiences. The introduction of version 1.46 also brings several new features and fixes, enhancing the overall user experience.
