Study under the direction of the TU Darmstadt shows: Onboarding feature acts as a network booster
A new international study under the leadership of the Technical University of Darmstadt shows how an inconspicuous feature of the social media platform Bluesky has accelerated growth to over 30 million members The so -called "Starter Packs" - recommendable lists created by users, to which new members can follow with one click - make it easier to get started and strengthen networking. The results were presented at the renowned ICWSM conference in 2025 in Copenhagen.
“Starter Packs” contributed to around 20 percent of all subsequent campaigns on the platform over a period of eight months, at times it was up to 43 percent . Users contained in these packs won an average of 85 percent more followers and showed 60 percent more activity .
Solution for the "cold start" problem
Bluesky managed to overcome a central obstacle to new social platforms: the so-called "Cold Start" problem , in which new members initially have no content or social connections. The study, in addition to the TU Darmstadt also researchers from Lancaster University , City St George's, University of London and other British universities, sees “Starter Packs” a future -oriented concept for the design of new digital spaces.
"Our results show that targeted recommendation design can be decisive for the growth and quality of networks," explains Dr. Onur Ascigil , Principal Investigator of the study. Leonhard Balduf also emphasizes: "We were able to extensively analyze the influence of starter packs on network formation for the first time."
Potentials and risks
However, the study also shows risks. Above all, the lists favor popular users - which can further reinforce inequalities In addition, the researchers found references to potential abuse , for example through paid placements or spam.
The most popular “starter packs” formed thematic communities, among other things to art , politics , gaming , sport and activism - with prominent personalities from the media and civil society as frequently represented profiles.
The full study entitled "Bootstrapping Social Networks: Lessons from Bluesky Starter Packs" can be called up at https://doi.org/10.1609/icwsm.v19i1.35810 .
(Darmstadt - Red/Tud)
