Bluesky Surges as Users Flock to Social Media Alternative

Bluesky, the decentralized social media platform originally conceived by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, is experiencing a meteoric rise.

Following the US presidential election and controversial policy changes on Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter), millions of users are flocking to Bluesky as an alternative. The platform, which emphasizes user control and community-driven algorithms, saw its user base more than double to 17 million in just a week.

Bluesky’s sudden popularity has propelled it to the top of app store charts, but rapid growth has brought challenges, including site outages and a culture clash between early adopters and new users. Despite the hiccups, Bluesky’s approachable interface and familiar features have made transitioning from X relatively smooth for many.

For new users diving into the Bluesky ecosystem, the process starts with creating a unique handle that doubles as a URL. Posts, cheekily dubbed “skeets,” work much like tweets on X, supporting text, photos, videos, and GIFs, with a 300-character limit. Users can customize who interacts with their posts and discover new accounts through curated feeds tailored to specific interests.

“Starter Packs” of recommended users and topics are another tool for beginners looking to quickly build a personalized community.

Unlike platforms like X or Facebook, Bluesky is built on an “open protocol” that allows developers to create independent networks while maintaining user portability across platforms. This approach aligns with Bluesky’s ethos of granting users more freedom and avoiding the “walled garden” dynamic of traditional social media platforms.

“The state of most social platforms right now is that users are locked in and developers are locked out. We want to build something that ensures users have the freedom to move and developers have the freedom to build,” stated Bluesky CEO Jay Graber.

While Bluesky has gained significant traction, it still lags behind giants like X, Threads, and Facebook, which boast hundreds of millions of active users. Rivals, including Threads, are taking note of Bluesky’s success, adopting features like custom feeds.

Bluesky’s commitment to decentralized technology and user-driven innovation could be its edge. The platform recently pledged not to use user data to train artificial intelligence, a move that sets it apart from competitors.

As Bluesky’s team of 20 works around the clock to stabilize and grow the platform, its rapid ascent underscores a broader shift in social media. Users are increasingly seeking alternatives that prioritize transparency, user control, and community over corporate-driven algorithms.

The New York Times and Business Insider contributed to this report.