Bluesky Social Gains Momentum as X Alternative, Reaches 40 Million Users
Bluesky Social, a social network positioning itself as an alternative to X (formerly Twitter), has experienced significant growth, reaching 40 million registered users as of February 16, 2026. The platform’s rise comes after a period of dissatisfaction with X following its acquisition by Elon Musk in late 2022.
Bluesky officially launched as an invite-only beta in February 2023, expanding to open access in February 2024. By November 2023, the platform had already attracted 2 million users, a number that quickly grew to 20 million by November 2024. This rapid expansion demonstrates a clear demand for alternative social media options.
The platform, co-founded by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, aims to provide a social media experience that addresses concerns about dysfunction and toxicity prevalent on other platforms. While Dorsey left the company’s board in 2024, Bluesky has continued to innovate, adding features such as custom feeds, direct messages, pinned posts, video attachments, and an in-app music player.
Bluesky differentiates itself from X through its decentralized nature. Unlike X, which is a closed platform controlled by a single entity, Bluesky is built on the AT protocol, an open-source standard that allows different social media applications to interact with each other. This means Bluesky users can potentially share posts across networks that utilize the same protocol, such as Mastodon.
The platform’s architecture is intended to foster a more open and user-controlled social media environment. Bluesky is building an open social network where anyone can contribute, while still providing an easy-to-use experience for users. According to a blog post from February 6, 2024, Bluesky is focused on features that put users in control of their social media experience.
Recent developments include plans for “stackable moderation services,” allowing users to combine different moderation tools and subscribe to moderation lists created by other organizations. A key component of this is the upcoming release of labeling services, which will enable organizations – including fact-checking groups – to mark posts with labels such as “partially false” or “misleading.” Users could then choose to subscribe to these labels, tailoring their experience based on trusted sources.
Bluesky’s growth reflects a broader trend of users seeking alternatives to established social media platforms. The platform’s commitment to decentralization and user control positions it as a potentially significant player in the evolving social media landscape. The platform currently has 40 million registered users, according to the latest available count.
