The Fediverse is intended to be an interoperable, decentralized social network where users can connect across platforms and tools. In practice, though, the reality is more fragmented.
According to Wikipedia:
The majority of Fediverse platforms are based on free and open-source software, and create connections between servers using the ActivityPub protocol.
Still, networks like Bluesky, Nostr, and Diaspora take their own technical paths toward the same vision, which means the fediverse isn’t fully connected just yet.
Bridgy Fed
To help address this gap, Ryan Barrett (@snarfed.org@snarfed.org) began developing Bridgy Fed, a tool designed to connect these otherwise separate networks:
Bridgy Fed connects web sites, the fediverse, and Bluesky. You can use it to make your profile on one visible in another, follow people, see their posts, and reply and like and repost them. Interactions work in both directions as much as possible.
With even more networks on the list.
While it’s not a native solution, it does help connect people today—and I really appreciate the perspective of Anuj Ahooja (@quillmatiq@mastodon.social), CEO of A New Social, the organization behind Bridgy Fed:
The future of the open social web is people connecting with people no matter what technology they happen to choose. And if bridges and duct tape is what’s necessary, then we’ll continue building bridges, because it’s connections and community over everything.
You can easily connect your blog to Bluesky using Bridgy by following a few simple steps.
Bridge your Blog
You can connect your blog to Bluesky using any self-hosted WordPress site or a paid WordPress.com plan.
First, go to the ActivityPub settings and open the Screen Options at the top right. Enable the Advanced Settings checkbox and click Save.
This will reveal the Advanced tab in the settings, where you’ll find the Following User Interface option. Enable that as well.
Once this feature is active, you’ll be able to access the Following subpage.
To follow the Bluesky account, enter bsky.brid.gy@bsky.brid.gy into the input box on the left and click Follow. The account should appear in your list shortly. After a few minutes, your follow request will be accepted, and the account will follow your blog back.
You can verify the connection by checking your Followers list. From this point on, all your new blog posts will also be published on Bluesky. You’ll receive reactions to your posts and even follow requests from Bluesky users.
That’s it! All your upcoming posts will also be published on Bluesky, you will receive all reactions to your posts and even follow requests.
If you ever want to stop the bridge from publishing, simply unfollow the Bridgy account and remove it from your Followers list.
Happy cross-posting bridging :)
Be Aware
Even though following other accounts is now possible, there is currently no way to view their incoming posts. Aside from the specific use case described above, following others doesn’t offer much benefit at this stage. Please be cautious if you think you need to follow more people, as it may increase traffic to your site without a clear purpose.
We’ll let you know as soon as the full reader experience is implemented and will enable all necessary (currently hidden) features at that time.
Follow us!
As a proof of concept, you can now also follow our updates on Bluesky via @activitypub.blog.activitypub.blog.ap.brid.gy
