5 Tools for Bluesky Following Cleanup
Cleaning up your Bluesky following list can save time and make your feed more engaging. With over 28 million users, inactive or irrelevant accounts can clutter your experience. Here are 5 tools to help you manage your connections more efficiently:
- TheBlue.social: Offers bulk unfollow, advanced filtering, and analytics. Free for 100 followings; Pro version costs $10/month.
- cleanfollow-bsky: Identifies inactive accounts based on activity and engagement. Allows manual review before bulk unfollowing.
- Tracker: Mobile app with inactivity detection, bulk unfollow, and detailed analytics. Highly rated on app stores.
- Byesky: Simple tool for batch unfollowing and tracking last active dates.
- BluePilot: Flags inactive profiles, spam, and NSFW accounts. Includes whitelist protection for key connections.
Quick Comparison
| Tool | Inactive Account Detection | Bulk Unfollowing | Analytics & Reporting | API Compliance | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TheBlue.social | Advanced filtering | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Cross-posting, privacy-first |
| cleanfollow-bsky | Activity, engagement | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | Comprehensive inactivity scan |
| Tracker | Engagement patterns | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Mobile-focused, detailed stats |
| Byesky | Last active date | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | Simple and quick |
| BluePilot | Activity, interaction | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | Spam/NSFW filtering, whitelist |
These tools streamline your Bluesky experience by helping you focus on meaningful connections and relevant content.
Launching New Bluesky Analytics, Search and Follower Tracking Tools - Product Hunt Teaser
1. TheBlue.social
TheBlue.social is a platform designed to make managing your Bluesky connections easier, focusing on tools for handling your followings. One of its standout features is the ability to identify non-mutual connections and perform bulk cleanups - saving you from the hassle of doing it manually.
The Clean Up Followings feature highlights accounts that don’t follow you back. You can also filter your followings by name or bio, making it simple to focus on specific groups or interests.
The bulk unfollow option is where this tool really shines. With just a search filter and a click of "Unfollow Matches", you can remove multiple accounts in one go. This not only saves time but can also improve the quality of your feed by up to 50% by refining your following list[1].
The platform operates on a freemium model. The free version lets you clean up about 100 followings, while the Pro subscription, priced at $10/month, increases the limit to 5,000 followings[1].
To start using it, you’ll need to create an app-specific password on Bluesky. This ensures TheBlue.social can securely access your account while keeping your primary credentials safe. It’s a privacy-conscious setup that prioritizes security while giving the tool the access it needs.
In addition to follow management, TheBlue.social offers other features like analytics, cross-posting, and tools for discovering new communities. Ready to explore more tools to simplify your Bluesky experience? Let’s dive in.
2. cleanfollow-bsky
cleanfollow-bsky is a simple yet effective tool created by @juli.ee, designed to help you tidy up your Bluesky following list. By connecting directly to your Bluesky account through the AT Protocol, it makes the process of identifying and removing hidden or inactive accounts both quick and user-friendly. Here's how it works to keep your feed clean and relevant.
Identifying Inactive Accounts
Keeping your Bluesky feed active and engaging can be challenging if it's cluttered with inactive profiles. cleanfollow-bsky simplifies this by analyzing your following list based on factors like recent activity, profile completeness, and engagement levels [3]. This helps differentiate between accounts that are truly inactive and those that are simply less active but still valuable.
Once connected, the tool scans your entire following list and flags accounts showing inactivity or those that have been blocked. This automated process eliminates the need for you to sift through hundreds - or even thousands - of profiles manually.
Bulk Unfollowing Made Easy
After identifying inactive or blocked accounts, cleanfollow-bsky allows you to review and select multiple profiles for unfollowing in one go [5].
Unlike fully automated systems, this tool gives you the final say. You can carefully choose which accounts to remove, ensuring you don't accidentally unfollow profiles that still add value to your feed. This balance of automation and control makes the cleanup process efficient without sacrificing accuracy.
Fully Compliant with Bluesky's API
cleanfollow-bsky operates within Bluesky's developer guidelines and respects the platform's rate limits [6]. By adhering to these rules, the tool ensures your account remains safe and in good standing while using it.
You can check out cleanfollow-bsky at cleanfollow-bsky.pages.dev [4]. Whether you're dealing with hidden, inactive, or blocked accounts, this tool offers a straightforward way to manage your following list.
3. Tracker
Tracker is a handy mobile tool designed to help you manage your Bluesky following list while offering in-depth analytics and bulk unfollow options [9]. It doesn’t just clean up your following list - it also provides useful insights to enhance your engagement.
Identifies Inactive Accounts
One of Tracker's standout features is its ability to spot inactive accounts. By checking the latest post date of each user, it allows you to set a custom threshold for inactivity [7]. If an account hasn’t posted since your chosen date, it gets flagged as inactive, putting you in control of defining what "inactive" means for your network.
Enables Bulk Unfollowing
Managing your following list is easier with Tracker’s bulk unfollow feature. With just one click, you can remove multiple accounts while using customizable whitelists to ensure certain users are never removed by mistake [8][9]. It also lets you exclude specific accounts when using "Follow All" or "Unfollow All" actions, giving you precise control over your network [8].
Provides Analytics and Reporting Features
Tracker goes beyond basic management by offering detailed analytics. You can track post engagement, monitor follower growth, and identify mutual connections. It even allows you to segment your following list based on keywords, activity levels, or engagement stats, giving you a clearer picture of your network’s overall health [9].
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4. Byesky
Byesky provides an easy-to-use interface for managing your Bluesky followings. While its features are somewhat basic, it’s perfect for those who want a no-fuss way to tidy up their list of connections.
Up next, dive into a comparison of these tools to find the one that fits your Bluesky cleanup goals best.
5. BluePilot
BluePilot simplifies the process of cleaning up your following list on Bluesky by helping you spot inactive accounts and unfollow them in bulk.
Identifying Inactive Accounts
By analyzing activity levels and interaction patterns, BluePilot flags inactive profiles and highlights accounts that don’t follow you back. This helps you keep your feed more engaging and relevant.
Bulk Unfollowing Made Easy
The Smart Unfollow feature lets you efficiently remove accounts that don’t follow you back, as well as those marked as spam or NSFW. To ensure you don’t accidentally unfollow key connections, BluePilot includes a built-in whitelist for added protection.
One user shared their experience: "BluePilot makes it easy to follow relevant users and unfollow those who don't add value to my timeline."
The BluePilot team adds, "With Smart Unfollow, you're not just following, you're connecting with the people who matter most."
This tool combines convenience with security, ensuring a smooth and safe cleanup process.
Fully Compliant with Bluesky API
BluePilot adheres to Bluesky's API guidelines, respecting rate limits and using secure authentication methods to protect your account while managing your following list.
Tool Comparison Chart
Choosing the right tool for follow management can make a world of difference. Below is a breakdown of how five tools compare across key features:
| Tool | Inactive Account Detection | Bulk Unfollowing | Analytics & Reporting | API Compliance | User Rating | Key Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TheBlue.social | ✅ Advanced filtering | ✅ Clean Up Followings feature | ✅ Bluesky Analytics with engagement tracking | ✅ Full compliance | N/A | Cross-posting scheduler, starter packs, privacy-first design |
| cleanfollow-bsky | ✅ Activity, profile completeness, engagement analysis | ✅ Automated cleanup | ❌ Limited reporting | ✅ Respects rate limits | N/A | Comprehensive inactivity criteria |
| Tracker | ✅ Engagement pattern analysis | ✅ Bulk follow & unfollow | ✅ Follower tracking and unfollower detection | ✅ API compliant | 4.6/5 (Google Play), 4.8/5 (App Store) | Strong mobile app experience |
| Byesky | ✅ Last active date tracking | ✅ Batch processing | ❌ Basic reporting only | ✅ Secure authentication | N/A | Simple, straightforward approach |
| BluePilot | ✅ Activity levels and interaction patterns | ✅ Smart Unfollow with whitelist protection | ❌ No advanced analytics | ✅ Full API compliance | N/A | Built-in safety features, spam/NSFW filtering |
Each tool brings something different to the table. Let’s highlight some of their standout features:
Tracker earns top marks for its high user ratings, with 4.6/5 on Google Play and 4.8/5 on the App Store. One user, "MetsBeisbol", shared their experience from March 2025: they identified 52 unfollowers in a single day, found new followers to engage with, and even discovered 14 accounts that had blocked them.
"Boom in the press of a button, poof they are gone. Just don't want my timeline filled with accounts that don't follow back."
- BlueSky Love, Tracker - Manager for Bluesky App Store Reviewer [10]
TheBlue.social offers the most robust feature set, blending clean-up tools with advanced analytics and cross-posting capabilities. Its Bluesky Analytics feature provides detailed engagement tracking, making it easier to identify which accounts contribute to meaningful interactions.
cleanfollow-bsky goes the extra mile in detecting inactive accounts. It evaluates activity, profile completeness, and engagement levels, ensuring you don’t mistakenly unfollow accounts that may still add value to your network.
BluePilot focuses on safety with its Smart Unfollow feature and whitelist protection, which helps avoid accidental removals. It also includes spam and NSFW filtering for a cleaner experience.
While some tools are primarily designed for cleanup, others, like TheBlue.social, combine analytics and cross-posting to help you refine your Bluesky strategy. All five tools adhere to Bluesky's API guidelines and respect rate limits, making them crucial for users managing large follow lists, especially given Bluesky’s lack of native bulk management options [2].
Conclusion
Cleanup tools simplify what used to take hours of tedious work, cutting it down to just minutes. Whether you're managing hundreds or even thousands of follows, the right tool can make a big difference in keeping your timeline relevant and engaging.
Bluesky gives you the power to take control of your experience with customization options[11]. These cleanup tools build on that idea, offering precise control over who appears in your feed.
Finding the tool that fits your needs is key. Each one helps fine-tune your Bluesky network, creating a timeline that truly reflects what matters to you.
As Bluesky's community grows, curating your following list becomes even more vital for avoiding unnecessary clutter. These tools are designed to help you focus on meaningful conversations by removing accounts that no longer add value to your space.
FAQs
::: faq
What should I consider when choosing a tool to clean up my Bluesky following list?
When picking a tool to tidy up your Bluesky following list, focus on features that cater to your needs. Tools with bulk unfollow options can save you a lot of time, while analytics features can help pinpoint inactive or low-engagement accounts. Filtering options based on activity or relevance are also incredibly useful for keeping your following list manageable.
The right tool will depend on your goals - whether you're aiming to reduce clutter, boost engagement, or connect with more active users. Look for options that are efficient and easy to use, so maintaining a streamlined and meaningful following list feels like less of a chore. :::
::: faq
What are the advantages of using TheBlue.social for cleaning up your Bluesky following list?
Using TheBlue.social to organize your Bluesky following list offers some clear benefits compared to doing it manually. It allows you to spot inactive accounts and non-mutual followers quickly, helping you keep your network focused and engaged.
On top of that, tools like bulk unfollow make the process much easier, cutting down on the time and effort you'd otherwise spend. By tidying up your following list, you can enhance your feed’s content and create space for more meaningful connections on Bluesky. :::
::: faq
How do these tools keep my Bluesky account secure through API compliance?
API compliance plays a key role in keeping your Bluesky account secure by adhering to strict security standards. This includes using secure authentication protocols, such as OAuth, which safeguard your account against unauthorized access. On top of that, compliance with privacy regulations like GDPR ensures your personal data is managed and stored responsibly.
By following these guidelines, third-party tools reduce the chances of breaches, unauthorized activities, or misuse of your account, all while allowing you to manage your Bluesky following list with peace of mind. :::