Skylight, a short-form video app positioning itself as an alternative to TikTok, has rolled out a major update that introduces human-led curation as a central feature. The 2.0 release, launched this week, allows users to create and follow custom feeds curated by individuals rather than relying solely on algorithmic recommendations.
The shift comes at a time when many social media users are voicing frustration with algorithm-driven feeds and the surge of AI-generated, low-quality content. Skylight’s model encourages participants to act as community curators, reposting or selecting videos to form their own thematic feeds. Other users can then subscribe to these feeds, offering a different path to discovery.
Since debuting in April, Skylight has attracted around 240,000 downloads and seen over 100,000 videos uploaded. The app is built on Bluesky’s AT Protocol, enabling interoperability with the broader open social ecosystem, which now counts over 38 million users. Authentication through Bluesky accounts has given Skylight an early advantage in building its audience.
The latest release also integrates external tools. Soon, feed-building technology from Graze will be embedded directly into the app, enabling more advanced customization. Skylight has additionally partnered with Streamplace, a livestreaming service using the same protocol, to bring live video into its platform without developing the infrastructure itself.
Other updates include a redesigned player with full-screen and split-screen modes, allowing users to watch while browsing. Despite being developed by a two-person team, Skylight has benefited from visibility on TikTok, where co-founder Tori White shares development updates with an audience of more than 63,000 followers.
The app is available for free on iOS and Android, with future features planned around music integration, bookmarking, and account management.
