Bluesky Has Applied for .bsky Domain Suffix
The social platform seeks to offer users personal web domains to enhance control over their online identities.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Internet
Live Poll
Do you believe social media platforms should provide users with their own custom domain names?
Bluesky has submitted a formal application to ICANN to secure the .bsky internet domain suffix. The organization intends to provide these domain names to its social media users, allowing them to transition from current handles to shorter web addresses.
Why it matters
Bluesky aims to support a decentralized philosophy where users maintain ownership of their online identity rather than renting it from a platform. This move seeks to provide individuals with greater autonomy over their digital presence.
The proposed domain approval process is projected to take between 18 and 24 months to complete. Bluesky has explicitly stated that it does not intend to sell or monetize the .bsky domain names.
The players
Bluesky
Bluesky is a social media platform focused on decentralized protocols and user-controlled online identities.
ICANN
ICANN is the non-profit organization responsible for coordinating the maintenance and procedures of several databases related to the namespaces of the internet.
The details
Users would be able to adopt shorter addresses ending in .bsky, replacing existing handles like @sarahp.bsky.social. The application is managed by ICANN, the international body that oversees domain name registration.
Timeline
October 5, 2026: The Bluesky CEO teased the platform's long-term identity plans.
October 7, 2026: ICANN is scheduled to publish the new batch of domain applications.
18 to 24 months: This is the expected duration for the domain approval process to reach completion.
The Tech Race
This move represents a shift toward bridging the gap between proprietary social media handles and the established global domain naming system. It positions Bluesky against platforms that maintain closed, platform-dependent identity systems.
Users will eventually have the option to adopt shorter, more permanent web addresses for their digital profiles. This change aims to simplify navigation and enhance personal branding by removing the need for platform-specific subdomains.
The takeaway
This initiative represents a tangible step toward porting social media identities into the broader structure of the internet. It suggests a future where digital presence is defined by personal domains rather than rented space on centralized corporate servers.
What happens next
ICANN will formally publish the application on October 7, 2026, initiating the public review phase of the domain registration request.
Further reading
Learn more about the infrastructure behind web identifiers at the Internet section.
Live Poll
Do you believe social media platforms should provide users with their own custom domain names?
