The digital media landscape is in constant flux, with user-generated video now a multi-billion dollar industry. This shift reflects an undeniable evolution in audience preferences, moving away from traditional articles and punditry towards dynamic vertical video feeds and immersive live streams. While this trend can present a challenge for those rooted in article-driven content, for a long-time enthusiast of live streaming, it’s an exciting development.
Bluesky’s ‘Live Now’ Feature: Bridging Social and Streaming
A significant step in this evolution was taken on January 16, 2026, when Bluesky officially rolled out its “Live Now” status feature. This update, part of v1.114, empowers streamers to prominently display their live status directly on the social network. Initially tested in May 2025, the feature is now widely available, streamlining the connection between creators and their social audiences.
With “Live Now,” users can simply click on a Bluesky profile’s live indicator and be instantly redirected to the associated Twitch stream. While currently exclusive to Twitch, Bluesky has indicated plans to expand support to other live streaming platforms, signaling a broader commitment to seamless cross-platform discovery.
“Other social apps punish links — we think linking out should be easy. Live Now is part of how we’re making that happen. While in beta, Live Now is currently limited to Twitch links. Support for other streaming platforms may follow as we learn from the beta.”
— Bluesky (@bsky.app) January 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM
This timely launch coincides with a notable surge in Bluesky’s user base, partly attributed to a recent X (formerly Twitter) outage and ongoing concerns regarding deepfake content on that platform. Irrespective of its impact on Bluesky’s overall growth, the “Live Now” feature represents a powerful pro-discovery tool with the potential for widespread adoption.
The Future of Live Stream Discovery
The implications of Bluesky’s move are far-reaching. One can easily envision a future where more digital platforms integrate similar live streaming referral mechanisms. Imagine a Gmail avatar indicating when a favorite YouTuber is online, a Spotify artist page directing you to a musician’s live performance, or an article byline linking directly to a live video session on Substack. The aspiration is clear: to shorten the distance between social feeds and live streaming experiences, making real-time content more accessible and discoverable than ever before.
How to Activate Your ‘Live Now’ Badge on Bluesky
Enabling the “Live Now” badge on your Bluesky avatar is straightforward:
- Navigate to your profile page on either desktop or mobile.
- Click the three-dot menu located in the top-right corner.
- From the options presented, select “Go Live.”
- Paste the link to your Twitch profile page.
- Customize the duration for which your “Live” badge will be displayed, choosing anywhere from 5 minutes to 4 hours.
- Click “Go Live” to activate.
This feature not only enhances user experience but also underscores Bluesky’s commitment to fostering a more interconnected and dynamic social media environment.
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