Bluesky is transforming Attie, its AI-powered assistant originally designed for custom social feed creation, into an expansive open-ended research tool. This week, the company unveiled “Quests,” a new feature that allows users to query information, track news, and analyze data across the “Atmosphere”—the collective network comprising Bluesky and all apps built on the underlying AT Protocol.
Expanding the Scope of Social Discovery
Quests significantly broaden Attie’s utility by enabling users to perform deep-dive research into the open social web. According to the company, users can now pose open-ended questions to identify trending topics, pinpoint influential accounts within specific niches, or track regional discourse. The goal is to move beyond simple feed customization toward a more analytical experience.
Strategic Growth and Monetization Challenges
The pivot toward research tools comes as Bluesky faces a plateau in user growth. After doubling its base to 40 million users by last October, the platform now reports around 45.6 million registered accounts. As growth slows, the company is prioritizing services that can drive engagement and potential revenue.
Attie, which launched in March, is currently free. However, Bluesky has openly explored monetization strategies for the service, which allows users to design algorithms and “vibe-code” their own applications. Jay Graber, Bluesky’s chief innovation officer, emphasized that the AI is intended to help users navigate misinformation by providing them with tools to verify information independently.
A Shift in Leadership and Philosophy
Graber, who transitioned from her role as CEO in March—replaced by former Automattic CEO Toni Schneider—remains a key voice in the project’s direction. “Our bet is that tools that help people make sense of the world will prove to be more useful than those that fill it with confusion,” Graber stated. She added that the company aims to lower the technical barrier for using the AT Protocol, making customization accessible to a broader audience.
While the internal team works on a redesign, including new accessibility features and a refreshed logo, the current iteration of Attie remains in beta. Interested users can join a waitlist, with invitations rolling out in the coming weeks.
Balancing Community Sentiment with Financial Viability
Bluesky must navigate a delicate balance: many of its core users remain skeptical of AI integration due to political, economic, and environmental concerns. Yet, the company’s financial sustainability depends on innovation. Following a $100 million funding round that closed in 2025, Bluesky has the necessary runway to experiment with AI-driven features like Attie, alongside potential premium subscriptions and advanced tools for power users.
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