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Discovering Posts on Bluesky with SearchPosts API Using BlueSky SDK

· 4 min read
Eldar Shahmaliyev
Eldar Shahmaliyev
Maintainer of BlueSky SDK

Are you ready to tap into Bluesky Social Network’s rich data with unparalleled precision and simplicity? The SearchPosts API in the BlueSky PHP SDK is here to elevate your application’s capabilities. From searching for posts by query to filtering by tags, URLs, and languages, the SDK empowers developers to navigate Bluesky’s ecosystem efficiently. With this powerful tool, you can build robust applications that truly leverage Bluesky’s vast social network. 🔍💡 Let’s take a journey into unlocking its potential. 🚀

Getting Started with SearchPosts​

Before accessing the search API, authentication is a prerequisite. The SDK makes this seamless and straightforward:

use Atproto\Client;

$client = new Client();
$client->authenticate('handle', 'password'); // Replace with your Bluesky username and password

Upon successful authentication, the SDK generates an access token, enabling interaction with endpoints such as SearchPosts. This process ensures secure and reliable communication with the Bluesky network, setting the stage for advanced functionalities.

Now, let’s delve into searching posts effectively. ✅

Crafting a Search Query​

To search posts, specify your query and configure additional parameters as needed. Whether you’re searching for the latest trends or specific content, the process is straightforward:

use Atproto\Lexicons\App\Bsky\Feed\SearchPosts;

$response = $client->app()->bsky()->feed()->searchPosts()->forge('Hello World!') // "query" is required and is reflected in all search results 
    ->limit(5) // Optional: Restrict results to the latest 5 posts
    ->sort(SortEnum::get('latest')) // Optional: Sort by 'latest' or 'top'
    ->send();

foreach ($response->posts() as $post) {
    echo $post->record()->text() . PHP_EOL;
}

This fetches posts containing the phrase “Hello World!”. It’s a great starting point for exploring content on Bluesky.

Filtering with Tags​

Enhance specificity by narrowing your search to include posts with specific hashtags. For instance, imagine you're running a campaign to promote a product or an event; filtering by relevant tags allows you to track engagement and identify key discussions effectively. This is especially useful for targeting niche topics:

$response = $client->app()->bsky()->feed()->searchPosts()->forge('Example Query')
    ->tag(['tag1', 'tag2'])
    ->limit(5)
    ->send();

foreach ($response->posts() as $post) {
    echo $post->record()->text() . PHP_EOL;
}

Efficiently find posts that contain tag1 or tag2. 🌿 Tags make your searches precise and targeted, saving time and effort.

Searching by URL​

To locate posts referencing a particular URL, the SDK provides an easy method to integrate this filter. This is perfect for finding mentions of specific links:

$response = $client->app()->bsky()->feed()->searchPosts()->forge('Check this out')
    ->url('https://example.com')
    ->limit(3)
    ->send();

foreach ($response->posts() as $post) {
    echo $post->record()->text() . PHP_EOL;
}

This limits results to posts mentioning “https://example.com”. 🌐 Leveraging URLs makes it simple to monitor discussions around your links.

Filtering by Author​

Searching posts by a specific author is another powerful feature. This allows you to explore all content created by a particular handle:

$response = $client->app()->bsky()->feed()->searchPosts()->forge('test')
    ->author('shahmal1yevv.bsky.social')
    ->limit(3)
    ->send();

foreach ($response->posts() as $post) {
    echo $post->record()->text() . PHP_EOL;
}

This query fetches posts from the user "shahmal1yevv.bsky.social," making it easy to track contributions by a specific author. 👤

Filtering by Language​

Sometimes, language preference is critical when searching posts. The SDK makes it easy to filter results by language:

$response = $client->app()->bsky()->feed()->searchPosts()->forge('Multilingual Content')
    ->lang('en')
    ->limit(3)
    ->send();

foreach ($response->posts() as $post) {
    echo $post->record()->text() . PHP_EOL;
}

This fetches only English posts, ensuring language-specific results. 🌐

Combining Multiple Filters​

Why stop at one filter? By combining filters, you can achieve granular searches and highly customized results that cater to a wide range of application needs. For developers, this means the ability to refine content discovery for different use cases—whether you're building analytics tools, content recommendation engines, or monitoring systems. This approach not only enhances precision but also ensures your applications can adapt to complex user requirements effectively. This approach unlocks the full potential of the API:

$response = $client->app()->bsky()->feed()->searchPosts()->forge('Advanced Search')
    ->tag(['tag1', 'tag2'])
    ->url('https://example.com')
    ->lang('en') // Filter posts in English
    ->limit(10)
    ->sort('top')
    ->send();

foreach ($response->posts() as $post) {
    echo $post->record()->text() . PHP_EOL;
}

This query fetches English posts with the specified tags and URL, sorted by popularity. ⭐ Combining filters allows for a truly tailored search experience, making your applications smarter and more efficient.

Wrapping It Up​

The SearchPosts API in the BlueSky PHP SDK offers developers a robust tool for seamless post discovery on Bluesky, enabling precise searches, trend analysis, and enhanced application capabilities. Whether you’re searching for specific content, exploring tags, analyzing trends, or building data-driven applications, this tool offers unparalleled flexibility and power. 🎉

Start exploring today, and let your application thrive on Bluesky’s vibrant network. If you encounter any issues or have questions, drop by GitHub or check out the official documentation.

Happy coding! 🚀