Bluesky labels, explained
Updated
In short: a label is a short public tag that a labeler attaches to an account or a post, such as spam or graphic media. Bluesky runs its own labeler, and anyone can run a community labeler that people subscribe to. Apps then hide, blur or warn about labeled content, depending on each person's settings. See every label on an account with the Label Checker.
Who adds labels
- Bluesky Moderation: Bluesky's own moderation service. Everyone sees its labels, for things like spam, impersonation or graphic content.
- Community labelers: independent services run by people or groups, each with its own focus. They only affect people who subscribe to them. Well-known ones include Skywatch Blue, Blacksky Moderation and Hailey's Labeler.
- You, on your own posts: when you post images, you can add a content warning (such as adult content or graphic media) yourself.
Is your account labeled?
The bskycheck Label Checker shows every label on an account and its recent posts, from Bluesky Moderation and the most-used community labelers, whether it shows up in search, and the moderation lists it was added to. Free, no login.
Choosing what you see
In Settings → Moderation you decide, label by label, whether labeled content is shown, shown with a warning, or hidden. Adult content stays hidden until you turn it on; the Bluesky app lets you change that setting on the website (bsky.app).
To add a community labeler, open its profile and tap Subscribe, then choose how each of its labels is handled. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Does Bluesky shadowban?
Bluesky has no official shadowban. Moderation shows up as labels, which apps act on by hiding, blurring or warning. An account under moderation action can also drop out of search. If your reach suddenly fell, check whether your account or recent posts carry a label: the Label Checker looks at both, and at whether the account shows up in search.
How to appeal a label
- From Bluesky Moderation: use the appeal option in the Bluesky app (Settings → Moderation, or the label notice on your profile or post).
- From a community labeler: contact the labeler's account directly. Each one runs its own process.
Questions
What is a Bluesky label?
A short public tag that a labeler attaches to an account or a post. Each labeler says how serious each of its labels is, from a simple information tag to a warning or a hide.
How do I know if my account is labeled?
Bluesky shows a notice on your profile for labels from its own moderation. To see every label from Bluesky and the main community labelers at once, use the Label Checker.
Does Bluesky shadowban accounts?
Not officially. Moderation shows up as labels that apps hide, blur or warn about, and accounts under moderation action can drop out of search.
Can anyone label my account?
Anyone can run a labeler, but its labels only affect the people who subscribe to it. Only Bluesky Moderation's labels apply to everyone in the Bluesky app.
How do I appeal a label?
For Bluesky Moderation, use the appeal option in the app. For a community labeler, contact its account: each runs its own process.
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