Micro-blogging startup Bluesky has gained substantial traction, with an impressive addition of 1.25 million new users reported in the week following the U.S. presidential election, according to Stats for Bluesky. This surge emphasizes changing social media habits as users seek alternatives to X, formerly known as Twitter, and Meta’s Threads. As of now, Bluesky claims a total user base of 15.2 million, a significant increase from the 13 million it boasted just a month prior.
The appeal of Bluesky in a shifting social media landscape
Bluesky’s recent growth is a clear indicator of its appeal as a viable alternative to more established platforms. CEO Jay Graber expressed excitement over welcoming new users seeking a different social media experience. However, despite this uptick, Bluesky’s total user count is still modest compared to its competitors. For context, while Bluesky is growing, X is drawing upon 600 million monthly users, and Threads enjoys about 275 million monthly active users.
The shifting user preferences come amid increasing dissatisfaction with X and Threads, particularly among journalists, politicians, and news enthusiasts. A report from Similarweb highlighted that many users switched to Bluesky due to concerns over Elon Musk’s political influence and the perceived transformation of X into a platform rife with misinformation. This sentiment was echoed by users on Bluesky who criticized X for its lean towards what they termed a “Trump propaganda machine.”
X marks the spot: Brazil’s standoff over Twitter ban and free speech
Bluesky’s rise in popularity has not been a one-off event; it experienced another notable increase of 2 million users in September when X faced a temporary ban in Brazil for non-compliance with local content moderation regulations. This incident shifted many Brazilian users to Bluesky, showcasing the impact of regulatory actions on social media platform dynamics.
The platform operates without advertisements and has yet to establish a concrete business model, although plans are underway for introducing paid subscription features. Despite this, Bluesky is currently the most downloaded app in the U.S. App Store, reflecting its growing popularity.
Citing statistics from Stats for Bluesky, the platform saw its user count climb from just 2 million to 15.2 million in less than a year, indicating that the startup is capitalizing on the changing preferences of social media users. The recent surge illustrates that many users are on the lookout for alternatives to platforms they feel no longer meet their needs.
As Bluesky navigates its ascent amid such a competitive landscape, maintaining user engagement will be crucial. Its origins trace back to a 2019 project initiated by Twitter, under then-CEO Jack Dorsey, who intended to explore decentralized social networking through Bluesky. However, under Musk’s leadership, the relationship between Twitter and Bluesky shifted from collaboration to competition when Bluesky became an independent entity in 2021.
It will be interesting to see how both the user dynamics evolve and how Bluesky positions itself as a credible alternative.
Featured image credit: Bluesky
