Digital Dose: Bluesky and Instagram Updates

Welcome to your dose of trending news from the digital universe, courtesy of the Spectrum Science Innovation Team. 

In this edition of Digital Dose, we’re diving into Bluesky’s efforts to decentralize social media and a new, secret-code-enabled format for Instagram Reels. 

Bluesky Is Plotting a Total Takeover of the Social Internet

Bluesky CEO Jay Graber shares how the platform aims to decentralize social media by giving users control rather than owned platforms. With new features and growing adoption, Bluesky is positioning itself as a democratic alternative to Big Tech. Read More. 

Why it matters: Bluesky’s push toward a decentralized social media model is a signal that user control, transparency, and interoperability are becoming not just ideals—but market expectations. For brands, this means the future of social media may not be dominated by a handful of centralized platforms, but instead by ecosystems that prioritize user agency and custom experiences. This shift could impact how audiences are reached, how content is moderated, and how trust is built. As the landscape evolves, we’re closely monitoring how decentralized platforms will influence campaign strategies, community building, and long-term platform ROI. 

Unlockable Reels Are Coming to Instagram: Here’s How They Work 

Instagram is testing a new feature that requires users to enter a secret code to view an Instagram Reel. These Unlockable Reels will be blurred in the feed until you enter a code to unlock it. Read More. 

Why it matters: Unlockable Reels are intended to build excitement and pique curiosity. We can imagine using the feature with clients ahead of major medical conferences with the unlocked Reel showcasing the company’s plans around the event or highlighting relevant presentation details. We hosted a speakeasy during the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference a few months ago, and an unlockable Reel would have been a fun way to share the invitation with a select group. This feature is in its earliest days—only a couple of examples have been spotted in the wild—but it’s never too soon to think about how you might use it! 

Interested in more? Don’t miss these additional digital headlines: 

• TikTok Adds More Accessibility Features, Including Alt Text for Photos [Social Media Today]

• Instagram Is Paying Some Users Up to $20,000 to Bring New People to the Platform [Entrepreneur]

• Threads Tests Option to Create a Profile Separate from Instagram [Social Media Today]

• Introducing AI Alive: Bringing Your Photos to Life on TikTok Stories [TikTok]

• LinkedIn’s new AI tool makes for more expressive job searches [Tech Brew]

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