Set your Bluesky handle to a custom domain name

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The ability to use your custom domain name as your handle on Bluesky is one of the social network's most compelling features. It's not only a great way for organizations to market their products, but it also lets users assert their true identities without paying a monthly fee for a blue checkmark as on X, formerly Twitter.

There are only two prerequisites to set up a custom domain as your username on Bluesky. First, you need a Bluesky account, and secondly you need a registered domain name.

Set a domain name as your Bluesky handle

With the prerequisites covered, simply follow these steps to set your Bluesky custom domain username:

  1. In Bluesky select Settings > Account > Handle.
  2. Click on the button I have my own domain.
  3. Type your custom domain into the Change Handle window.
  4. Add a new DNS record to your domain based on the values presented.
  5. Wait a few minutes and then click Verify DNS Record.
Bluesky Custom Domain handles.
The Change Handle window in Bluesky allows you to set your handle to a custom domain name.

Bluesky change handle DNS entries

Bluesky's Change Handle window will present you with these three properties you need to configure as a DNS record with your domain name hosting provider:

  • The DNS record type, which is TXT.
  • The Host property, which becomes the name of the DNS entry.
  • A long DID value which becomes the value property of the DNS entry.

You must add this name-value pair TXT record as a new DNS entry to your domain.

Bluesky handles, GoDaddy and custom domain names.
Add a Bluesky custom DNS entry to a GoDaddy hosted domain.

Have Bluesky verify the DNS record

After you save the DNS setting, patiently and repeatedly click the Verify DNS Entry button on Bluesky's custom handle page until the verification is a success.

A new DNS entry may take up to an hour to replicate globally, so you may have to return to Bluesky's Custom Handle page several times before the verification is successful. When the page does indicate that verification was a success, navigate back to your profile page, click success, and you'll see that your custom domain name is now your new Bluesky handle.

Successful domain to Bluesky username configuration.
My custom domain name is now my Bluesky username and handle.

Cameron McKenzie has been a Java EE software engineer for 20 years. His current specialties include Agile development; DevOps; Spring; and container-based technologies such as Docker, Swarm and Kubernetes.

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