As frustrations with X (formerly Twitter) continue to grow, Bluesky has emerged as a major player in the social media landscape. Offering a decentralized approach and a familiar interface, the platform is rapidly gaining traction, reaching significant milestones in its quest to become a viable alternative to X and other short-form networks like Meta’s Threads.
Bluesky’s Explosive Growth
Bluesky recently hit 24 million users, up from just 9 million in September 2024. This rapid expansion is a testament to the platform’s growing appeal, adding over 10 million users in the month following the U.S. presidential election. According to company representatives, Bluesky briefly achieved a remarkable pace of onboarding 1 million users daily during this period.
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With over 700 million posts and 3.1 billion likes generated so far, Bluesky has shown early signs of success. Notably, U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently became the first non-company account to surpass 1 million followers on the platform, marking a major milestone. Celebrities and public figures like Stephen King, Guillermo del Toro, Rachel Maddow, and Don Lemon have also joined, further boosting the platform’s credibility.
What Sets Bluesky Apart
Bluesky’s rise is not just about numbers but also about differentiation. The platform’s decentralized model, built on the Authenticated Transport Protocol (AT), allows for greater user control and transparency.
Users can personalize their experience through custom feeds, selecting algorithms that tailor content to their interests, from sports updates to cat photos. This innovative approach to algorithms stands in stark contrast to X’s centralized feed structure, which has faced criticism for opaque recommendations.
Additionally, Bluesky offers moderation tools such as automated filters, community labeling, and shared block lists. These features address concerns about harassment and toxic behavior, which have plagued platforms like X. Unlike X’s controversial decision to weaken its block function, Bluesky’s tools empower users to maintain a safe online environment.
Keeping Connections Across Platforms
Bluesky facilitates seamless transitions for users migrating from X. Tools like the Sky Follower Bridge enable users to quickly follow the same accounts they connected with on X, reducing the friction of switching platforms. The platform also supports domains as user handles, a feature that enhances authenticity and verification. For example, organizations can use their domain name as their handle, creating a straightforward verification process for their members.
The Competition
Despite Bluesky’s growth, it faces stiff competition from established players. X still boasts around 611 million users, while Meta’s Threads holds 275 million monthly active users. However, X’s popularity has waned, with user dissatisfaction growing after owner Elon Musk implemented controversial changes, such as altering the block feature and charging for verification.
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Threads, which initially attracted widespread attention, has struggled to sustain its momentum. Bluesky, on the other hand, continues to draw users with its promise of a decentralized, user-friendly experience reminiscent of X’s early days.