Bluesky, the social media platform originally developed within Twitter and now an independent company, has gained over 1 million new users since the recent US election. Many users are reportedly migrating from X, formerly known as Twitter, in response to rising misinformation and offensive content, which has been associated with Elon Musk’s collaboration with US president-elect Donald Trump.
The platform’s popularity has recently surged, reaching close to 15 million users globally, up from 9 million in September. Most new users are from North America and the UK, with a notable influx following recent controversies on X, including a policy allowing users to view posts from those who had blocked them.
Recently, The Guardian Media has announced that it will no longer post on X from any of its 80 official accounts to its 27 million followers.
Unlike X, Bluesky emphasises better tools for managing harmful behavior, such as efficient blocking and account suspension systems. Bluesky’s and Threads’ ongoing success appears linked to a wider dissatisfaction with X, where usage has declined, especially after its rebranding and Musk’s takeover.
In one week, the platform gained 3 million users after X faced a suspension in Brazil, and another 1.2 million after X’s recent controversial updates.
Why is this important?
Despite its growth, Bluesky remains second to Threads, a Meta-owned social network, in the US App Store. To compete, Bluesky has introduced features like direct messaging and video compatibility, aiming to attract a wider audience and differentiate itself from its rivals in the social media landscape.