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A growing alternative -

Bluesky has positioned itself as a prominent alternative to X (formerly known as Twitter). In the week since the Associated Press called the US presidential elections in favor of Trump, one million new accounts were added to Bluesky.

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Discontent -

The surge in new users can be attributed to the disillusionment that many people feel by X’s trajectory and Elon Musk's vocal support for Donald Trump. Users have seen fit to search for a fresh digital home.

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Migration -

Many users departing X are not only frustrated with Musk’s political associations, but also tired of content that skews towards conspiracy theories and extremist ideologies.

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Cross-continental influx -

The influx of new users to Bluesky have primarily come from the United States, Canada, and Britain. The platform has noted rising engagement across various activities, from casual posting to more involved interactions.

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Growing momentum -

This is certainly not the first time such a surge has occurred for Bluesky. The network (which is decentralized) often experiences rises in new users when Elon Musk introduces unwelcome changes or controversial political actions.

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Decentralization -

The idea of decentralized social media platforms (i.e. they can run autonomously and without human intervention) has been gaining traction in recent years. Bluesky was originally created within Twitter in 2019 as a proof of concept to investigate whether such a platform could exist.

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Enhanced user control -

Decentralized platforms give users more power over their data and allow people to manage their privacy settings to decide how their information is shared. This system minimizes the risk of data misuse by central authorities or corporations.

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Resistance to censorship -

Unlike centralized platforms, which can be pressured by governments or corporations to remove content, decentralized networks are more difficult to censor. This enhances free speech and allows for more diverse viewpoints to be represented online.

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Reduced monopoly power -

As a decentralized platform, Bluesky also prevents any single entity from having control over the entire network. This reduces the monopolistic grip that large tech companies often have.

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Acquisition and separation -

After Elon Musk acquired Twitter in 2022 at a cost of US$44 billion, the platform severed all legal and financial connections with Bluesky Social. Within four months, a social app for Bluesky had been developed and launched.

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Competition -

X isn’t the only platform in competition with Bluesky. Social platforms Threads (operated by Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta) and Mastodon are also vying for attention against Bluesky’s rise.

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A numbers game -

Though Bluesky’s user base (14.5 million) pales in comparison to Meta’s Threads (275 million), numbers don't tell the full story. While Threads has mass appeal, Bluesky is winning a specific, crucial war: the battle for relevance in news and live event coverage.

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Threads’ disconnect -

Threads has openly shunned news and political content. Its algorithm resists user control, and external links suffer in visibility. The result? Threads is largely a haven for influencers and light content, and lacks a meaningful news ecosystem for serious users.

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Live event culture -

By fostering an environment where sports fans and news enthusiasts can engage actively, Bluesky has rekindled the sense of immediate connection that X lost and Threads doesn’t have. For instance, Bluesky has become the go-to for many college football communities to find live commentary on their favorite sport.

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Transparency -

Bluesky has not hesitated to distance itself from Musk’s coziness with political power. Following reports of Musk spending election night with Trump, Bluesky emphasized its commitment to neutrality and transparency, vowing not to give undue influence to political actors.

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Policing harmful behavior -

One of Bluesky’s most praised features is its efficient content moderation. Unlike X, the platform has a robust system for blocking or suspending problematic accounts. This proactive approach has reassured new members that Bluesky is serious about fostering a healthy and secure online community.

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Features -

Bluesky excels where competitors stumble. While X allows blocked users to continue seeing the posts of the person who blocked them, Bluesky’s “nuclear block” ensures total disengagement.

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Scrolling -

Furthermore, Meta’s Threads forces users to endure algorithmic feeds, whereas Bluesky offers custom, chronological timelines that allow users to have full control over their agency.

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Freedom -

Journalists have praised Bluesky for being an internet space that doesn’t restrict or deprioritize their work. As a text-based platform free from oppressive algorithms, it empowers news and sports media, and counteracts the increasingly hostile corporate internet landscape.

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Less noise, more control -

One of Bluesky’s biggest selling points is the quality of the experience. It feels tailored, with less trolling and spam than X. This bespoke atmosphere allows users to find genuine connections without the social media fatigue that many have experienced on more chaotic platforms.

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Practical value -

Bluesky’s appeal isn’t just ideological but also practical. The platform allows users more control and customization, which sets it apart from X’s divisive and unpredictable environment.

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Denting X’s influence -

While Bluesky hasn’t yet dethroned X as a powerhouse for elite public discourse, it could challenge Musk’s grip if more influential users, politicians, and organizations migrate. This slow but steady shift could redefine where online opinion formation occurs.

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High-profile converts -

Bluesky has attracted several celebrities and political figures, such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (pictured), Mark Cuban, and Chasten Buttigieg. These well-known personalities are helping to set the tone of a space that prioritizes authenticity and positive discourse in social media.

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Welcoming new arrivals -

Longtime Bluesky users have embraced newcomers by offering helpful guidance and community support. From “starter packs” of account recommendations, to warm introductory messages, there is a palpable effort to create a welcoming atmosphere for anyone who joins.

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Rethinking social engagement -

Many users have praised the platform’s starter packs for fostering deep, informed discussions. These curated groups help users find meaningful content quickly, and promise to recreate the nuanced, multi-perspective conversations that many users valued on Twitter before it became X.

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Building a promising future -

Bluesky continues to evolve, incorporating features like direct messaging and video to mimic X, while staying distinct from Meta-owned Threads. The site’s innovations are helping it compete in a crowded social media landscape, while still preserving the authenticity and freshness that attract its growing base.

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Multilingual -

Bluesky can be operated around the world, but unlike other major platforms (such as Threads and X), the platform is only available in 19 languages. This is expected to change in the future.

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A return to joy -

The growing user numbers have sparked some growing pains, but the energy on Bluesky is reminiscent of the early excitement around social media. As new members find their footing, Bluesky’s vibrant atmosphere is thriving and embodying a sense of rediscovery that will keep drawing people in.

Sources: (Slate) (The Guardian) (The New York Times)

See also: What happens when you quit social media?

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