Bluesky Gains Momentum as Users Flee X

Once heralded as the “digital town square,” X (formerly Twitter) is losing favor with users following the U.S. presidential election. Dissatisfied with recent changes under Elon Musk’s leadership, many users are migrating to Bluesky, a decentralized social media platform that has seen explosive growth.

Bluesky’s user base has surged from over 9 million in September to more than 14.6 million as of Tuesday. A significant influx of users over the weekend boosted Bluesky to No. 2 in the U.S. App Store on Monday, only trailing Meta’s Threads and OpenAI’s ChatGPT on Tuesday.

Rapid Growth and Engagement

Data from app analytics firm Appfigures shows that Bluesky’s U.S. downloads have grown by 933% year-to-date, with a 624% increase in November alone. Daily sign-ups are averaging around 100,000 new users, and the app welcomed over 1 million new members in just a week.

Bluesky attributes this growth to increasing activity among diverse communities, including Swifties, sports fans, and journalists. According to team member Emily Lu, users report receiving more authentic and meaningful engagement compared to their experience on X.

Bluesky CEO Jay Graber noted that engagement levels have consistently outpaced X, with an unusually high percentage of active posters compared to other platforms. While many social networks follow a 90-9-1 rule (90% lurkers, 9% commenters, 1% posters), Bluesky maintains approximately 30% active posters.

Decentralized Design and Moderation

Bluesky’s infrastructure allows users to create custom algorithms, moderation tools, and personalized feeds, offering an adaptable experience free from centralized control. This decentralization aims to prevent the platform from becoming politically skewed, unlike X, which critics say has leaned right under Musk’s leadership.

In contrast to Musk’s approach on X—where his own posts frequently dominate feeds and right-leaning perspectives are amplified—Bluesky provides tools to tailor content moderation and community standards.

A Changing Landscape

Bluesky’s rise highlights a broader shift in social media dynamics, with users seeking platforms that prioritize community and personalized experiences over contentious political discourse. As X’s reputation as the “global town square” fades, its future remains uncertain, while Bluesky continues to gain traction as a viable alternative.

Published by: https://techcrunch.com/