How to Find People on Bluesky
Discover how to make the most of Bluesky's powerful search features and advanced Boolean tricks to find people on Bluesky, the alternative to X (Twitter).
The social media landscape is shifting. As more users become disillusioned with X (formerly Twitter), they're seeking out alternative platforms that offer a fresh approach to online interaction.
That is why Bluesky is entering the game; it is a decentralized social media protocol that's quickly gaining traction among early adopters and tech enthusiasts. For recruiters, this presents an exciting opportunity to tap into a new pool of high-potential talent.
Bluesky's unique features and benefits are attracting a diverse range of users, from developers and designers to thought leaders and innovators. By establishing a presence on this emerging platform, recruiters can position themselves at the forefront of the talent acquisition game.
What is Bluesky?
Bluesky is more than just another social media app—it’s a platform that’s changing the way we interact online. Unlike traditional social media giants, Bluesky is built on a decentralized protocol called the AT Protocol.
Bluesky allows users to create and control their own social networks, giving them greater autonomy and privacy. This innovative approach has garnered significant attention from people and those seeking an alternative to the centralized control of traditional social media giants.
One of the key features that sets Bluesky apart is its focus on interoperability. Users can seamlessly communicate and share content across different Bluesky-based networks, breaking down the silos that often exist between competing platforms. This open architecture fosters a more collaborative and inclusive environment, where ideas can flow freely and communities can thrive.
Unique Features That Impact Connectivity
To make the most of Bluesky, it helps to know about some of its distinctive features:
Federated Network: Bluesky operates on a network that links different servers, or “nodes.” This setup allows users to connect across multiple communities, making it possible to explore and join a wider range of groups.
Handle Structure: Instead of just username-based connections, Bluesky incorporates a domain-style handle structure, such as “@username.bsky.social.” This feature helps identify users and makes searching more specific.
Setting Up Your Bluesky Account (Optional)
If you’re new to Bluesky, setting up an account is simple. Once you’ve registered, take a moment to create a profile that showcases your interests and makes you easier to find. This is a good first step toward attracting connections and making your presence known.
If you're thinking about whether you should be there, the answer is definitely yes. With so many people on the move right now, it's a great chance to grow your network without much effort. You can follow me on Bluesky: Jan for more tips. :)
As Bluesky continues to gain momentum, recruiters who adapt quickly and establish a strong presence on the platform will be well-positioned to tap into its growing talent pool.
Getting Started: Transitioning Your Network
What if you don't want to lose your contacts from X (Twitter)? Good news—you don't have to start from scratch on this social network. There's a tool that makes the process easier and more efficient.
The Sky Follower Bridge is an invaluable tool for recruiters wanting to maintain continuity in their networks. This tool enables you to find and follow your X (Twitter) connections who have also migrated to Bluesky. By using this bridge, you can rebuild your professional network quickly, minimizing disruption to your recruitment efforts. To get started with the Sky Follower Bridge, visit this guide for detailed instructions.
Once you’ve set up your account and connected with existing contacts, begin exploring Bluesky’s unique features and familiarizing yourself with its interface. This foundational step ensures that your recruitment reach remains robust, allowing you to continue meaningful interactions with professionals who have moved to this new, decentralized space.
Navigating Bluesky Search
To make the most of Bluesky as a recruiter, mastering its search functionalities is key. The platform's search tools are designed to be straightforward yet powerful, enabling users to find specific individuals, posts, and conversations.
Here’s how you can leverage these tools to expand your network and discover top talent.
Using the Built-in Search Bar
The first place to start when looking for people is Bluesky’s built-in search bar. It’s a simple tool, but knowing how to use it effectively can make all the difference.
Searching by Handle or Name:
If you know the specific handle or name of a person, type it into the search bar. Handles on Bluesky are formatted like email addresses (e.g., “@username.bsky.social”), so make sure to enter them correctly.
It is one of the most effective ways to search on Bluesky. Simply place quotes around a keyword or set of words to find posts containing that exact phrase. For example, if you are looking for candidates who mention “product manager,” inputting "product manager" into the search bar will yield posts that contain that precise phrase.
Keywords and Hashtags:
Use relevant keywords or hashtags to find posts and users discussing topics of interest. For instance, searching “#AI” or “#Music” will bring up posts and profiles that use those tags, giving you a starting point for finding like-minded individuals.
Hashtags are another powerful search tool on Bluesky. By searching for a term prefixed with
#, such as #developer or #UXdesign, you can find all posts tagged with that term. This is particularly useful for discovering candidates discussing specific topics or trends in their industry.
Finding User Mentions
To track conversations that mention a specific user, use the @username format. For example, searching for @honza.bsky.social will show all posts that reference that user. This is valuable for recruiters who want to monitor mentions of key industry figures or potential candidates.
If you’re logged in, you can also search for mentions:me to find posts that mention your own username, keeping you aware of who’s engaging with you or discussing topics relevant to your interests.
Advanced Combination Searches For more tailored results, you can combine different search elements:
Combining keywords: Use to:username from:me to view posts you’ve written that mention a particular user.
Post source: Use from:username to filter posts specifically from that user, or from:me to see your own posts if logged in.
Searching for URLs
If you’re looking for posts that share a specific URL, paste the link directly into the search bar. To find posts sharing links from a certain domain, use domain:example.com. For instance, searching domain:ibm.com will show all posts linking to articles from IBM. This can be helpful for identifying who is discussing content related to your industry or company.
Language and Date Filters
Bluesky’s search also supports language and date filtering, enhancing your ability to find relevant content:
Language filter: Use lang: followed by a two-character ISO code (e.g., lang:en for English). To find posts in English about science, you’d search lang:en "science".
Date range: Specify dates with
since:and/oruntil:in the format YYYY-MM-DD or as a UTC timestamp (e.g.,since:2024-01-01tountil:2024-12-31).
Personalized Search Experience
Being logged in while searching helps personalize your results. Bluesky’s search engine prioritizes content from people you follow, making it easier to find posts by your connections or search for relevant discussions within your network.
By utilizing these search techniques, recruiters can pinpoint discussions, identify potential candidates, and stay informed on industry trends. Mastering these tools will enhance your efficiency on Bluesky, positioning you to make meaningful connections in this evolving platform.
X-Ray Bluesky Search Techniques
For recruiters aiming to take their search capabilities on Bluesky to the next level, employing X-Ray search techniques through search engines like Google can be a game-changer. This method leverages advanced search operators to locate specific types of content and profiles on Bluesky, allowing you to discover niche candidates or identify specific expertise. Here’s how to master X-Ray search for Bluesky:
Basic X-Ray Search for Profiles
To find profiles with specific terms in their bios, use:
site:bsky.app/profile/ "Product Designer"
This query will return results featuring profiles where “Product Designer” appears in the bio.
Searching for Job Titles
If you want to target individuals with certain job titles in their profile titles, use:
site:bsky.app/profile/ intitle:"UX Designer"
This command will find pages that have “UX Designer” in the title field, helping you locate people who explicitly highlight their role.
Finding Posts with Specific Keywords
To locate posts related to specific roles or keywords, you can use:
site:bsky.app/profile/*.bsky.social/post/ "Accountant"
The asterisk acts as a wildcard, targeting posts across various users, making it easier to find those who have posted about specific topics.
This search string will find every post with the word "Accountant" indexed by Google.
Searching for Followers
If you’re looking to identify who follows a certain profile and holds a particular role, use:
site:bsky.app/profile/*.bsky.social/followers/ "UX designer"
This search will help uncover followers that match specific criteria, giving you insight into the professional circles of potential candidates or influencers.
Combining Search Operators for Precision
Combine search elements to create powerful, refined queries. For example:
site:bsky.app/profile/ "Data Scientist" intitle:"PhD"
This search will return profiles of users who mention “Data Scientist” and have “PhD” in their profile title, allowing for targeted candidate identification.
Tips for Effective X-Ray Searching
Use keywords strategically and adapt your searches as needed to narrow down results.
Experiment with different search combinations to identify candidates who might not be as visible through conventional search methods on Bluesky.
Keep your search queries simple and specific for the most accurate results.
X-Ray Searches for Bios and Keywords
To find keywords in bios specifically, use:
site:bsky.app/profile/ "Machine Learning"
This helps recruiters quickly find users whose expertise matches their hiring needs. It not only finds profiles but also posts. If someone is posting about machine learning, they probably know a thing or two about it.
Practical Applications for Recruiters
These search techniques are especially useful when looking for niche roles or specific skill sets that may not be evident through basic searches.
X-Ray searching can help identify professionals who are highly active or have a strong following, allowing recruiters to focus on candidates with a robust online presence.
Mastering X-Ray search techniques gives recruiters a significant advantage in navigating Bluesky efficiently. By using these powerful methods, you can find the right talent faster, build valuable connections, and gain a competitive edge in your sourcing strategy.
Tips for Maximizing Search Efficiency
To leverage Bluesky’s search tools effectively, you need to go beyond basic searching and adopt strategies that maximize efficiency. Here are key tips that can enhance your search experience and make your recruitment efforts on Bluesky more streamlined and productive.
1. Refine Your Searches with Specific Phrases
Use quotation marks to search for exact phrases and get more focused results. This is especially effective when looking for specialized job titles or skill sets. For example, searching “product manager” instead of just product manager (without quotes) will only return results with that exact phrase, helping you avoid unrelated content.
2. Prioritize Hashtags for Topical Searches
In addition to searching for specific phrases, recruiters should leverage hashtags to follow industry discussions and trending topics. If you’re hiring for tech roles, for instance, searching #FullStackDeveloper or #DataScience can reveal candidates engaged in relevant conversations and sharing their expertise.
3. Stay Updated on Search Features
Bluesky is an evolving platform, and new features and tools are regularly added to enhance user experience. Keeping up with platform updates and newly released search functionalities will help you stay ahead of the curve. Bookmark Bluesky’s announcement pages or follow key developers to receive insights into new tools and changes.
4. Combine Search Techniques for Broader Reach
A powerful strategy is to combine Bluesky’s internal search features with external X-Ray searches for comprehensive results. Use advanced search within Bluesky for initial findings and follow up with broader searches using site:bsky.app on external search engines for deeper dives into profiles and posts.
5. Use Language and Date Filters for Specific Needs
If your recruiting focus includes finding talent in certain regions or tracking discussions over time, don’t overlook the lang: and date range filters. Search using lang:en for English content or set date parameters with since: and until: to find posts during specific periods (e.g., since:2024-01-01).
6. Regularly Review and Adjust Your Search Strategies
As with any platform, your initial search strategies might need refining over time. Regularly reviewing your search outcomes and adjusting your keywords, combinations, and filters ensures that your approach remains effective and relevant.
How to Find People on Bluesky
Bluesky presents a unique opportunity for recruiters to engage with a new and expanding professional network. By mastering Bluesky’s search capabilities, leveraging advanced techniques, and X-Ray search strategies, you can tap into a pool of talent that may not be as visible on traditional platforms.
Keep in mind that as Bluesky continues to evolve, staying informed about updates and refining your search strategies will be crucial to maintaining an effective recruitment presence. Embrace these techniques to streamline your search efforts and enhance your recruitment practice. With these tools and tips, you can confidently navigate Bluesky and unlock new avenues for finding exceptional talent.
Leveraging Advanced Boolean Operators
For recruiters serious about fine-tuning their search results on Bluesky, understanding and applying advanced Boolean operators is essential. These operators allow you to create complex queries that narrow down your search and target highly specific content.
Here’s a guide to help you harness the power of Boolean logic and elevate your recruiting efforts on Bluesky: