Bluesky has introduced a dedicated mentions tab in the notifications section with its latest update, version 1.96. This new feature simplifies the process of viewing replies or conversations in which you've been mentioned on the platform. 
 
 In addition to the mentions tab, update 1.96 offers improved control over how responses to posts are displayed. Users can choose between a linear format, where replies are listed in order, or a threaded format resembling conversations found on Reddit. There are also options to sort replies by criteria like newest, oldest, most-liked, “hot,” and a random selection that Bluesky creatively calls “Poster’s Roulette.”
 
 For users opting to establish a custom domain as their username, update 1.96 now ensures that your previous .bsky.social name remains reserved, preventing others from claiming it. This feature would have been beneficial for me; when I switched to a custom domain, I ended up creating an alternative account to safeguard my old .bsky.social name.
 
 Bluesky witnessed significant user growth in November, experiencing a notable influx that led to surpassing 25 million users last week, although recent growth has slowed. The platform plans to introduce a subscription service in the coming year and is also working on its proprietary payment platform.
 
 However, Bluesky faces tough competition from Meta's Threads, which has been actively promoting its wide array of features and its much larger user base compared to Bluesky.