X Starterpacks Feature vs Bluesky: The Real Difference

X Starterpacks Feature Is More Than a Copy—It’s a Power Move

X is rolling out a new “Starterpacks” feature designed to help people quickly find accounts worth following.

On the surface, it sounds simple: pick a category, get a list of recommended creators, and build your feed faster. But underneath, the X Starterpacks feature signals something bigger—X is trying to control first impressions, shape what users see, and reduce the friction of starting fresh on the platform.

If you’ve ever opened X and thought, “Where do I even begin?”—this update is aimed directly at you.

Key Facts: What X Announced (In Plain English)

Here’s what we know so far:

• X is launching Starterpacks, curated lists of accounts to follow.

• The feature was announced by X’s head of product, Nikita Bier.

• Starterpacks will cover categories like News, Politics, Fashion, Tech, Business, Fitness, Gaming, Stocks, Memes, and more.

• Unlike Bluesky’s version, X’s lists are created internally—not by the community.

• The rollout is expected in the “coming weeks.”

In short: X wants to help users find “top posters” faster, without requiring you to manually search and experiment for hours.

Why the X Starterpacks Feature Matters (Even If You’re Not New)

Let’s be honest—this isn’t just about convenience. It’s about control.

The first accounts you follow shape everything: your algorithm, your feed tone, what you believe is “popular,” and even what you think X is as a platform. That’s why onboarding tools like Starterpacks aren’t minor features—they’re strategic.

1) Onboarding is the new battleground

Social platforms are fighting the same problem: people sign up, feel lost, and leave.

The X Starterpacks feature is designed to reduce that “empty room” feeling. Instead of a blank timeline, new users can instantly plug into active communities.

This is especially important now, because social media users are more willing to try alternatives (Bluesky, Threads, Mastodon), but they won’t stay unless the experience clicks quickly.

2) X is choosing “authority” over “community”

Bluesky’s Starter Packs work because they feel personal. Anyone can build one. You can follow a pack made by someone you trust, like:

• “Best indie journalists”

• “Women in tech”

• “Design creators who actually teach”

• “Smart politics without doomscrolling”

X is taking a different approach: the platform decides what “top” looks like.

According to Bier, X “scoured the world for the top posters in every niche and country.” That sounds impressive—but it also raises a question:

Top according to what?
Followers? Engagement? Virality? Paid boosts? Controversy?

Because on X, those signals don’t always equal quality.

3) This could reshape influence (again)

X has done versions of this before—back when it was Twitter.

Suggested user lists were powerful because being featured could instantly create internet celebrities. That’s great for the people on the list… but frustrating for everyone else trying to grow.

If Starterpacks become the default path for new users, creators who aren’t included may find it harder to get discovered organically.

Practical Implications: What Happens Next (Predictions)

Here’s what we expect the next phase of this to look like.

The feed will get “faster,” not necessarily better

Starterpacks will likely help users build a working timeline quickly.

But speed has a tradeoff: if X’s internal lists favor high-volume posters, users may end up with feeds that are louder, more reactive, and more polarized than they intended.

If your goal is thoughtful content, you may still need to fine-tune your follows manually.

Creators will compete to get “Starterpack placement”

Once people realize Starterpacks drive followers, creators will optimize for it—just like they optimize for trending topics today.

That could mean:

1. More posting frequency

2. More “hot takes” designed for engagement

3. More niche positioning (“I’m the #1 account for ___”)

For marketers and creators, this may become a new growth lever—similar to getting featured on Explore pages or recommended lists.

Expect other platforms to keep copying this idea

This trend isn’t stopping. Threads has already tested a similar feature, and Mastodon has been working on “Packs.”

That’s because curated onboarding solves a real problem: choice overload.

When there are millions of accounts, people don’t want endless options. They want a shortcut to “the good stuff.”

Comparison: X Starterpacks vs Bluesky Starter Packs vs Threads

 

Bottom Line: If you want fast setup, X’s version will help. If you want more personal, trust-based recommendations, Bluesky’s community-made packs still feel more authentic.

FAQ: X Starterpacks Feature (Quick Answers)

Q: What is the X Starterpacks feature?

A: The X Starterpacks feature is a new tool that recommends curated lists of accounts to follow based on your interests. It’s meant to help users build a better feed faster by suggesting popular accounts across categories like news, tech, sports, and more.

Q: How is X Starterpacks different from Bluesky Starter Packs?

A: X Starterpacks are created internally by X using its own data, while Bluesky Starter Packs can be created and shared by any user. That makes Bluesky’s version more community-driven, while X’s version is more platform-controlled.

Q: Will the X Starterpacks feature help new users?

A: Yes. The biggest benefit is reducing the confusion of starting from zero. New users can follow a set of suggested accounts quickly instead of searching manually, which helps them get a working timeline immediately.

Q: Can anyone make a Starterpack on X?

A: Not right now. Based on what’s been announced, X is building these lists internally rather than letting users create their own. That could change later, but the current plan is platform-curated packs only.

Conclusion: The X Starterpacks Feature Is About Speed—and Influence

The X Starterpacks feature will make it easier to find people to follow, especially if you’re new or rebuilding your feed.

But it also shifts power toward platform-curated discovery, where visibility is earned through X’s internal signals—not necessarily human trust or community recommendations.

In the coming weeks, the real story won’t be whether Starterpacks work—it’ll be who gets featured, why they were chosen, and how much this shapes what “popular” looks like on X going forward.