Bluesky feed builder Graze raises $1M, rolls out ads

Graze, a startup focused on enhancing user control over social media feeds, has secured $1 million in pre-seed funding led by Betaworks and Salesforce Ventures. The company enables users to build and monetize custom feeds on Bluesky’s social network, a platform that boasts nearly 35 million users. Graze's tools simplify the process of creating and managing these feeds, allowing users to customize aspects like moderation, logic, and sort order. Currently, Graze supports 4,500 feeds, including some of the top-performing ones on Bluesky. Their new monetization model allows feed creators to earn through advertising, offering a more ethical approach by letting advertisers choose feed placement without invasive data collection, while feed operators retain control over ad content.
Graze's innovative approach challenges traditional social media advertising models by empowering advertisers and users alike. The company envisions a self-regulatory advertising environment where feed operators are incentivized to moderate ad content responsibly. With 200 feeds already running ads, Graze takes a 30% cut, supporting their services across the platform. The company is exploring ethical revenue-sharing models with Bluesky and other ATProto-based apps. This funding will help Graze refine its offering and build industry relationships, as they focus on creating an enhanced user experience. Led by co-founders Peat Bakke, Devin Gaffney, and Andrew Lisowski, Graze aims to redefine social media engagement and monetization.
RATING
The article provides a comprehensive overview of Graze's recent developments, focusing on its innovative approach to social media feed management and ethical advertising. It is largely accurate and well-supported by credible sources, though some claims require further verification. The piece is timely and relevant, addressing issues of public interest such as user privacy and control over social media experiences.
While the article is clear and engaging, it could benefit from a more balanced presentation of perspectives and a deeper exploration of potential criticisms. Including more diverse viewpoints and technical explanations would enhance its overall quality. Despite these areas for improvement, the article effectively highlights Graze's unique contributions to the social media landscape, making it a valuable read for those interested in technology and digital rights.
RATING DETAILS
The article is largely accurate, presenting a clear picture of Graze's recent developments and investments. It correctly states that Graze raised $1 million in a pre-seed round led by Betaworks and Salesforce Ventures, which is consistent with available data. The description of Graze's functionalities, such as offering tools for building and managing Bluesky feeds, is also accurate and supported by evidence.
However, some claims require further verification, such as the assertion that Bluesky has nearly 35 million users, which seems high given the platform's relative newness. Additionally, the claim that Graze's advertising model is more ethical than traditional models by not collecting user data for targeting purposes is subjective and would benefit from more detailed evidence or comparisons.
The article accurately describes the technical aspects of Graze's services, such as the ability to customize feeds using templates, and the monetization strategy involving advertisers selecting feeds based on topics. These claims are consistent with Graze's stated objectives and operations.
The article provides a balanced view of Graze's innovations and challenges in the social media landscape. It highlights both the positive aspects of Graze's service, such as user control over algorithms, and the potential complexities involved in feed creation for non-developers. This duality helps present a well-rounded perspective.
However, the piece leans more towards promoting Graze's strengths and innovations, with less emphasis on potential drawbacks or criticisms. For example, while it mentions the ethical advertising model, it does not discuss any potential limitations or criticisms of this approach. Including perspectives from industry experts or users could enhance the balance by providing a broader view of the implications of Graze's business model.
The article is clearly written, with a logical flow that guides the reader through Graze's offerings and market positioning. The language is straightforward, making complex concepts like algorithmic customization and ethical advertising accessible to a broad audience.
The structure effectively separates different aspects of Graze's business, such as funding, technology, and advertising strategies, which aids in comprehension. However, some technical terms, like 'AT Protocol' and 'social graph,' could be briefly explained to ensure all readers fully understand the context.
The article cites credible sources such as TechCrunch, which is a reputable outlet in the technology and startup sectors. The involvement of known investors like Betaworks and Salesforce Ventures adds credibility to the financial information presented. These sources lend authority to the claims about Graze's funding and strategic direction.
However, the article could benefit from including direct quotes or interviews with Graze's founders or stakeholders, which would strengthen the source quality by providing firsthand insights. Additionally, data about user numbers on Bluesky or feedback on Graze's services could be supported by more diverse sources to enhance reliability.
The article is transparent about Graze's business model and funding sources, clearly outlining the company's goals and the nature of its services. It provides a good overview of how Graze's advertising model differs from traditional ad tech systems, which aids in understanding the company's unique selling proposition.
However, the article could improve transparency by explaining the methodology behind some of its claims, such as the user base of Bluesky or the effectiveness of the ethical advertising model. More information on how these figures were obtained or calculated would help readers assess the validity of these claims.
Sources
- https://techcrunch.com/2025/04/16/bluesky-feed-builder-graze-raises-1m-rolls-out-ads/
- https://techcrunch.com/tag/bluesky/
- https://www.threads.net/@gritcapital/post/DIgoqq8AcHs/retail-sales-surged-14-in-march-making-the-biggest-monthly-jump-since-jan-2023co
- https://www.giveitanudge.com/metrics-models/
- https://bsky.app/profile/turoczy.bsky.social
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