Social networking startup Bluesky is making strides in its plans to develop a new revenue stream based on a subscription model, as announced in October alongside its $15 million Series A funding. The company has now shared mockups of its upcoming Bluesky+ subscription on its GitHub page, providing a glimpse into the premium features that may be included.

The user interface mockup, spotted by Bluesky user @saeri.xyz, reveals a range of potential features, including higher quality video uploads, profile customizations like colors and avatar frames, custom app icons, a Bluesky+ profile badge, inline post translations, post analytics, and bookmark folders. These features could position Bluesky+ as a strong competitor to X and Meta's platforms.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the mockup is the possible inclusion of verification (profile badges) as part of the subscription. Bluesky has previously discussed its plans for verification, highlighting the open nature of its network as a differentiator from paid verification on X and Meta's platforms. It remains to be seen whether the company will ultimately put its verification tools behind a paywall.

The mockup also indicates pricing of $8 per month or $72 per year for Bluesky+, although this is not final. Bluesky software engineer Dan Abramov cautioned users that the list of features shown in the UI mockup "doesn't necessarily match what will be released," and that the company will announce the actual list when more work is done.

Despite the warning that nothing is final, Bluesky users are eagerly discussing the possibilities of a Bluesky subscription, with some criticizing the proposed paid features and others suggesting different features they'd like to see in a subscription. The company is also exploring other revenue streams, including selling domain names, a marketplace of algorithms, and potentially selling ads, as mentioned by Bluesky CEO Jay Graber.

Bluesky's move towards a subscription-based model marks an important step in the company's growth, as it seeks to differentiate itself from other social networking platforms. With its open nature and focus on customization, Bluesky+ has the potential to attract users looking for a more tailored social media experience.

As Bluesky continues to develop its subscription model, it will be interesting to see how the company balances its commitment to openness with the need to generate revenue. With its user base growing to 24.7 million, Bluesky is poised to become a significant player in the social networking landscape.

This story will be updated if Bluesky provides further comment on its subscription plans.