Bluesky has removed the “interim” tag from its chief executive. Toni Schneider, who took over as interim CEO after co-founder Jay Graber stepped down in March, has been named the decentralized social media platform’s permanent chief executive.
The announcement, made by Schneider himself on the platform, marks a new chapter for Bluesky as it pushes toward broader adoption and new community-building features.
From Interim to Official
Schneider had served as an advisor and investor in Bluesky before stepping into the interim CEO role four months ago. Now, after what he described as a period that confirmed his commitment to the platform’s mission, Schneider is officially at the helm.
“I took this job because I believe in our mission: to develop and drive large-scale adoption of technologies for open and decentralized public conversation. It’s a privilege to help advance that mission and be part of the larger movement toward an open social web.”
Schneider brings significant leadership experience to the role — he was the founding CEO of Automattic, the company behind WordPress, giving him deep roots in the open-source and publishing ecosystem.
A Leadership Transition
Graber, who had been Bluesky’s CEO since 2021, explained at the time of her departure that “the company needs a seasoned operator focused on scaling and execution” as it matures, while she returns to building new things. Schneider, she said, would be that “experienced operator and leader.”
Graber remains with the company in a new capacity as Bluesky’s Chief Innovation Officer, ensuring continuity in the platform’s visionary direction.
What’s Next for Bluesky
With the leadership now formalized, Schneider outlined what’s on the horizon. He pointed to a major upcoming feature: the ability to create smaller spaces and more private communities within the Bluesky ecosystem — a feature he believes “will unlock the next wave of growth and innovation.”
This aligns with Bluesky’s announcement in June that Reddit-style communities are coming to the platform this year, letting users create groups dedicated to specific interests and topics. The move positions Bluesky to compete not only with X (formerly Twitter) and Threads but also with community-focused platforms like Reddit and Discord.
The Bigger Picture
Bluesky emerged from a project initiated within Twitter before Elon Musk’s acquisition, spinning off as an independent company building on the AT Protocol — an open, decentralized framework for social networking. The platform has grown steadily, attracting users looking for an alternative to the increasingly centralized and algorithm-driven social media landscape.
Schneider’s appointment signals that Bluesky is entering a phase focused on operational maturity and scale. With a veteran operator leading the charge and a product roadmap that includes private communities and decentralized infrastructure, the platform is positioning itself for its next stage of growth.
“We’re at the very beginning of this story,” Schneider said.