Bluesky Sees Surge in Users Amid US Election, as X (Twitter) Faces Backlash
Bluesky, the decentralised social media platform, has seen a remarkable uptick in users following the US presidential election. As of the weekend, the platform reported adding 1 million users per day, bringing its total user count to 19 million. The surge comes as many users, including journalists, academics, left-leaning politicians, and celebrities, flock to the platform—some in response to the changes made under Elon Musk’s leadership of X (formerly Twitter).
What is Bluesky?
Launched in 2019 as part of a Twitter research initiative, Bluesky became an independent platform in 2021 under CEO Jay Graber. Initially invitation-only, Bluesky opened to the public in February 2024. The platform is built on the AT Protocol, an open network designed to give users more control over their social media experience.
Bluesky offers a Discover feed, personalised based on user interests, alongside a chronological feed for accounts users follow. New features like direct messaging and video sharing have been added over the past year.
Bluesky's Rise:
The recent surge in Bluesky users coincides with dissatisfaction among some X users, especially after the platform was acquired by Elon Musk in 2022. Musk’s changes to content moderation and his controversial support for Donald Trump during the 2024 US election have led to criticism. Several prominent outlets, including The Guardian and La Vanguardia, announced they would leave X, citing concerns over disturbing content. Some users are not leaving X entirely but have opted to join Bluesky, seeking a more independent platform.
Bluesky’s Growth Amid X’s Backlash:
The post-election growth of Bluesky is not its first. In August 2024, after X was banned in Brazil, Bluesky gained 2.6 million users, 85% of whom were from Brazil. Another spike in user sign-ups came in October when X announced it would allow previously blocked accounts to view public posts.
While Bluesky continues to grow, X remains a dominant player, claiming it has "dominated the global conversation" during the US election and set new records.
Bluesky’s rise marks a shift in the social media landscape, as users increasingly seek alternatives to platforms like X. As the platform evolves, its focus on decentralisation and user control could continue to attract those disillusioned by the direction of more centralised platforms.
No comments:
Post a Comment