What is Bluesky? What you need to know about this X competitor
Bluesky, a decentralized social media platform conceptualized by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, has been gaining traction as an alternative to X (formerly Twitter). On Thursday evening, Bluesky announced that over 1 million people signed up in the past 24 hours, pushing its total user base to over 16 million. This surge follows a series of significant events and challenges on competing platforms.
Why the sudden surge?
Bluesky’s rise coincides with broader social media dynamics. Instagram’s Threads recently reported 15 million new sign-ups in November, but ongoing moderation issues and X’s controversial changes under Elon Musk have driven users to explore alternatives. Notably, Bluesky experienced a spike after Musk publicly supported President-elect Donald Trump, leading to concerns over political bias in X's algorithmic feeds. In just a week following the U.S. presidential election results, Bluesky added over a million users.
Despite its growth, Bluesky faced technical issues on Thursday due to an ISP-related cable problem, causing service interruptions for some users. The incident highlights the platform's growing pains as it scales rapidly.
A Twitter-like experience with a twist
Bluesky offers a user experience similar to X, including posts (limited to 256 characters), replies, likes, and reposts. However, its decentralized AT Protocol sets it apart, allowing users to maintain their data and connections across multiple apps built on the same framework. This federated design means Bluesky isn’t tied to a single company’s algorithms or policies, offering a sense of autonomy and transparency to its users.
Customization is another key feature. Bluesky allows users to create "custom feeds," effectively giving them control over their algorithmic experience. This contrasts with the centralized nature of X, where users have limited influence over what appears on their timelines.
Who's joining Bluesky?
High-profile figures such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mark Cuban, and "Weird Al" Yankovic have joined the platform, alongside organizations like Bloomberg and The Washington Post. Bluesky has also started allowing heads of state to join, reflecting its growing influence.
While Bluesky’s user base remains significantly smaller than X’s or Threads’—the latter boasting over 275 million users—Bluesky CEO Jay Graber claims the platform enjoys higher engagement rates. Graber also noted that 30% of users actively post, compared to the typical 90-9-1 ratio of lurkers, commenters, and posters seen on most platforms.
What’s next for Bluesky?
Bluesky recently raised $15 million in Series A funding to support its expansion and development. The company is exploring subscription models for premium features, such as higher-quality video uploads and custom profile options, without relying on ads or user data sales for revenue.
As Bluesky continues to grow, its decentralized nature, transparency, and user-driven approach to customization position it as a compelling alternative to traditional social media platforms. While challenges remain, the platform's rapid ascent suggests it’s more than just a fleeting trend in the social media landscape.
