this post was submitted on 01 Feb 2025
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Is this really how it works? Is that per year? Hosted? Or do you own the software and can host it on your own?
There are many types of Bluesky servers. This post is about ATProto Relays, which consolidate all the data across the network into a single location. They are necessary for efficiency, but they are extremely expensive to run. Currently, there is only one ATProto relay, but there is an initiative to launch a third-party relay.
In addition, it's estimated to current cost about $500 a month just to store the contents of a relay server. this doesn't include network or computer cost. this will only get more expensive and lead to big businesses being the only players. relays, being the "Post office" of bluesky, have the power to suppress whatever they don't like.
ActivityPub really is "for the people".
But can ActivityPub scale?
Can AT Proto? It goes both ways.
In terms of infrastructure, Bluesky does seem to be capable with keeping up with the current level of 5,000,000 posts per day by pouring money into their relay. What I'd like to know is the cost per user of Bluesky compared to a centralized service like Threads.
I think one of the bigger issues with Bluesky scaling is moderation. Mastodon admins only have to deal with moderating their own instance, while ATProto labeling services can receive reports from any and all Bluesky users. So far, most people who attempted to launch an independent replacement for Bluesky Moderation Service have failed to keep up with the volume of incoming reports. Usually, they have to narrow their scope and focus on very specific issues, like Laelaps, Asuka's Anti-Transphobia Field, Blacksky Moderation, and AI Mod. However, as Bluesky grows, I even expect them to be unable to keep up.