Retro Cutie

So you want a custom Bluesky name? If you have your own domain, setting it up is straightforward. I’m @gogo.juicybomb.com on Bluesky. I intended to write a tutorial, but fortunately, Bluesky already offers an excellent guide: How to verify your Bluesky account.

If you want to be known as @yourdomain.com, simply set up the TXT record at your hosting company or your domain registrar. If you have a domain name without a hosting plan, you should set up the TXT record with your domain name registrar. On the other hand, if you have a hosting plan associated with your domain name, you will configure the TXT record at your hosting company. If you want to be recognized as @anyword.yourdomain.com, create a subdomain and then add the TXT record on that subdomain. You can set up as many TXT records as you want to, even for different domains. They will all resolve to your account.

If you decide to obtain a custom name on Bluesky, be aware that as soon as you acquire your new name, you will have released your old name for anyone else to claim. For instance, I was initially @juicybomb.bsky.social. Once I changed to @gogo.juicybomb.com, I recreated juicybomb to ensure that no one else could use it. This gives me the flexibility to revert to it in the future, should I choose to discontinue using my domain. To revert, simply delete the username you are holding and rename your current account.

I have observed many Second Life residents using @name.secondlife.bio on Bluesky. However, I must caution you against this choice. This domain is not officially owned by Second Life or Linden Lab; rather, it is owned by a resident. While it is commendable that they are offering this service, if their domain is not renewed, you will lose your username. It will cease to resolve, prompting Bluesky to ask you to create a new one (although you will not lose your posts or account—only your username will change). Beyond the risk of losing your username, I also have concerns regarding impersonation. Since these accounts are not verified, anyone could request @yourname.secondlife.bio.

I am genuinely curious when Second Life will address the use of the domain name by SecondLife.bio, as it clearly violates their Domain Name Guidelines.