How to Link a Bluesky Account to a Custom Domain

As museums strive to build meaningful connections with their audiences online, platforms like Bluesky offer unique opportunities to enhance digital presence. By linking your museum’s Bluesky account to a custom domain, you can showcase professionalism, improve discoverability, and strengthen trust with your followers. Here’s a museum-focused guide to seamlessly transition your Bluesky handle to a custom domain:

1. Start the Transition in Bluesky

Making the change is straightforward:

• Go to your Settings in the Bluesky app.
• Navigate to the Advanced section.
• Select Change Handle.
• At the bottom of the prompt, choose the option that indicates you want to use your museum’s domain.

2. Verify Ownership of Your Museum’s Domain

Bluesky requires you to prove ownership of your custom domain. Museums typically already manage their own domain for websites or digital exhibits, so this step should be simple. There are two ways to verify:

Option 1: Add a DNS Record

• Log into your museum’s domain registrar account (e.g., GoDaddy, Google Domains).
• Access the DNS management settings.
• Add a TXT record using the information Bluesky provides.
• Save your changes and allow time for DNS propagation (this may take up to 24 hours).

Option 2: Upload a Verification File

• Create a plain text file containing the verification code given by Bluesky.
• Upload this file to the .well-known directory on your museum’s website server.
• Confirm the file is accessible via a direct link, such as https://yourmuseumdomain.org/.well-known/filename.txt.

3. Finalize Your Museum’s New Handle

Once verification is complete:

• Return to the Bluesky settings page and click Verify under your chosen method.
• If the verification is successful, Bluesky will notify you.
• Confirm the handle change, and your museum’s new Bluesky identity is live!

Why Should Your Museum Use a Custom Domain on Bluesky?

Using a custom domain, such as @yourmuseum.org, adds credibility to your museum’s profile. It helps distinguish your organization from others and aligns with your overall digital branding. This small tweak can make a big impact, showcasing your museum’s commitment to authenticity and fostering deeper connections with your digital audience.

By following these steps, your museum can elevate its presence on Bluesky while staying true to its mission of connecting people with culture, history, and art in innovative ways. Ready to stand out in the social media sphere? Claim your custom domain handle today!