Need for label value standardization across labelers

Investigate whether standardization of label values across Bluesky Labelers is necessary to avoid inconsistencies and misinterpretations as the labeling ecosystem grows, and, if needed, specify a shared taxonomy and semantics for label values and behaviors.

Background

Labelers in Bluesky can emit custom labels, with only a small set of reserved values having predefined behaviors. The study finds little overlap among labelers’ vocabularies and highlights potential issues with coherence and user trust.

The authors explicitly state uncertainty about whether some degree of standardization will be required as the system scales, given the diversity of label values and semantics.

References

It remains to be seen whether some standardization will be necessary to avoid inconsistencies and misinterpretations as the system grows.

— Looking AT the Blue Skies of Bluesky  (2408.12449 - Balduf et al., 2024) in Section 7 (Discussion and conclusion), Openness and diversity

Hence, we leave the study of how third-party labelers complement or contradict the BMS for future work.

— Characterizing Bluesky Content Moderation Service: From Automation of Service to Landscape of Harms  (2609.11373 - Singh et al., 10 Sep 2026) in Section 3, subsection “Content Moderation on Bluesky,” paragraph beginning “Bluesky Moderation Service”