If you’ve recently joined Bluesky—or are thinking about it—you might have noticed something pretty cool: unlike most social media platforms, Bluesky lets you use your own domain name as your handle. That means instead of settling for something like @YourName.bsky.social, you could be @YourDomain.com. It’s a fantastic way to showcase your personal brand, boost your credibility, and stand out in a sea of standard usernames. Plus, since Bluesky is built on the decentralized AT Protocol, your custom domain can follow you across compatible platforms. Neat, right?
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the simple steps to link your domain to your Bluesky account and set it as your handle. Don’t worry if you’re not super tech-savvy—it’s easier than it sounds, and I’ll break it down for you. Let’s get started!
What You’ll Need Before You Begin
Before we dive in, make sure you have the following:
- A Bluesky Account: If you haven’t signed up yet, head to bsky.app and create an account. You’ll start with a default handle (e.g., @YourName.bsky.social), but we’ll change that soon
- A Domain Name: You’ll need a domain you own, like yourname.com or yourbusiness.org. If you don’t have one, you can buy one from a registrar like Namecheap, GoDaddy, or even through Bluesky’s partnered services. It doesn’t need to have a full website—just the domain itself will do.
- Access to Your Domain’s DNS Settings: This is where you’ll make a small tweak to prove you own the domain. You’ll need to log in to your domain registrar’s dashboard (e.g., GoDaddy, Cloudflare, etc.).
Got everything? Let’s move on.
Step 1: Start the Process in Bluesky
First, log in to your Bluesky account via the app or website. Once you’re in:
- Open the Settings menu. On the app, tap your profile picture or the three-line menu icon in the top left corner. On the website, look for the settings option in the sidebar.
- Scroll to the Advanced section (sometimes listed under “Account” depending on your app version).
- Click or tap Change Handle.
You’ll see a screen where you can type a new handle. Ignore that for now and look for the link that says “I have my own domain”. Click it. This is where the magic begins.
Step 2: Get Your Verification Code from Bluesky
After clicking “I have my own domain,” Bluesky will ask you to enter the domain you want to use (e.g., yourdomain.com). Type it in, and hit Next or Continue.
Bluesky will then generate a unique piece of text called a TXT record. It’ll look something like this:
_atproto TXT did=did:plc:your-unique-code-here
- Host: _atproto
- Type: TXT
- Value: did=did:plc:your-unique-code-here (your code will be different)
This TXT record is what Bluesky uses to verify you own the domain. Copy this value (there’s usually a “Copy” button) and keep the Bluesky window open—we’ll come back to it.
Step 3: Add the TXT Record to Your Domain’s DNS Settings
Now, head over to your domain registrar’s website and log in. Find the section for DNS settings, DNS management, or Advanced DNS—the exact name varies by provider. Here’s what to do:
- Look for an option to Add a New Record (it might say “Add DNS Record” or similar).
- Select TXT as the record type.
- In the Host or Name field, enter _atproto (some registrars require you to add your domain after it, like _atproto.yourdomain.com—check your provider’s instructions).
- In the Value or Data field, paste the did=did:plc:your-unique-code-here string you copied from Bluesky.
- Leave the TTL (Time to Live) at its default unless you know what you’re tweaking (typically 3600 seconds is fine).
- Save the changes.
For example, if you’re using GoDaddy, it might look like this:
- Type: TXT
- Host: _atproto
- Value: did=did:plc:your-unique-code-here
- TTL: 3600
Step 4: Verify Your Domain on Bluesky
Back in Bluesky, with your domain entered and the TXT record added, click the Verify DNS Record button. Bluesky will check your domain’s DNS settings to see if the TXT record matches. If everything’s set up correctly, you’ll get a confirmation message like “Domain verified!” and an option to confirm the change.
Note: DNS changes can take a few minutes to propagate—or in rare cases, up to 48 hours. If it doesn’t work right away, grab a coffee and try again in a bit.
Step 5: Enjoy Your New Handle!
Once verified, your Bluesky handle will update to @yourdomain.com. Head to your profile to see it in action. You’re now rocking a custom handle that’s uniquely yours! Any mentions or tags with your old .bsky.social handle should still point to you, so you won’t lose your connections.
Why Use a Custom Domain on Bluesky?
So, why go through this? Here are a few perks:
- Branding: It’s a slick way to tie your Bluesky presence to your personal or business identity.
- Verification: It proves you’re the real deal, making it harder for impostors to fake your account.
- Portability: If Bluesky’s AT Protocol grows (think other apps or servers), your domain handle can travel with you.
Troubleshooting Tips - “Verification Failed” Error: Double-check your TXT record for typos. Make sure it’s _atproto, not something else, and that the value matches exactly.
- Still Not Working?: Wait a bit longer for DNS propagation, or contact your registrar’s support if you suspect an issue.
- No DNS Access?: Some registrars offer a text file verification option instead. Check Bluesky’s settings for “No DNS Panel” if this applies to you.