I recently received a warming from a Bluesky moderator, letting me know that my actions on the platform could result in having my account marked "spam." I am sharing this in the hope that it may be useful to other Bluesky users—or potential users.

The Charges

Here's the full text of the email from Bluesky:

Bluesky Account Behavior

Hi there,

A Bluesky account you control (@wearesaners.bsky.social) has engaged in activity that falls under spam behaviors under our community guidelines, including but not limited to the following:

•⁠ ⁠Bulk Following/Unfollowing: Excessive following or unfollowing large numbers of accounts

•⁠ ⁠Interaction churn: Repeated following/unfollowing actions to gain engagement

•⁠ ⁠Mention, Quote, or Reply Spam: Frequently mentioning, quoting, or replying to many users

•⁠ ⁠Spam Posting: Sending multiple identical or irrelevant posts

This email is a warning: if the pattern of behavior continues, we will label your account as spam.

Thank you for doing your part to keep Bluesky a welcoming place for all users. If you have any additional questions or wish to appeal this decision please email [email protected].

Bluesky Moderation Team

Answering These Charges Point By Point

Bulk Following/Unfollowing: Excessive following or unfollowing large numbers of accounts

Interaction churn: Repeated following/unfollowing actions to gain engagement

I would like to explain my activities because although I was clearly seeking to find members who were interested in following me, I was not engaged in improper behavior. My "bulk following" was my policy of following people who "liked" my posts. I was not following random people. There were a large number of people who liked my posts, and that is why I followed so many.

As far as unfollowing, over time I stopped following people who seemed to have little or no interest in my posts—thus allowing me to pay more attention to those who DO read and react to my posts.

Mention, Quote, or Reply Spam: Frequently mentioning, quoting, or replying to many users

My responses are not random. They are responses to what the other user posted. Is this not acceptable? I have repeated the same point to different users—when it's relevant to the subject being discussed.

Spam Posting: Sending multiple identical or irrelevant posts

I can only speculate what you are referring to, but I would guess you are saying this in response to my 200+ individually created images of GOP House members who are blocking the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This may look like "spam" if you don't realize that I have hundreds of pictures. And yes, sometimes I do refer to the same GOP House member more than once. I do the same for Senators who are blocking the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

Do you still hold that any or all of these actions are violations of community standards or terms of service? If so, please clarify and I will share your info with my followers in the Bluesky community.

Regards,

Ray
@wearesanrs.org.bsky.social