What is Bluesky? The New Social Media Platform Gaining Popularity

What is Bluesky?

Bluesky is a social media platform where users can post, reply, and message each other in a vertical layout. It emerged from Twitter, now called X, after Jack Dorsey announced funding for developers to create an open social media standard in 2019. It launched in 2021 and is attracting users looking for alternatives to X.

How is it different from X?

Bluesky allows users to control their experience more than X. Users can choose algorithms for their feeds, creating specific content categories like mutual followers or interests. Bluesky emphasizes transparency by letting users use domain names as handles, which can help verify accounts. Unlike X, which has faced criticism for changes like pay-for-verification, Bluesky offers stronger moderation tools. Its “anti-toxicity” features let users manage interactions more effectively.

Why are people signing up for Bluesky?

Many users are leaving X due to concerns about Elon Musk’s management and its direction since his takeover. Users have reported encountering more bots and misinformation on X, prompting them to seek alternatives. Recent events, such as Musk’s controversial posts, have heightened this unease.

How many users have signed up for Bluesky?

As of November 13, Bluesky reported over 15 million users. The platform gained one million new users within a week after Trump’s election victory.

Who has joined Bluesky?

Prominent figures like actress Jamie Lee Curtis, TV presenter Chris Packham, comedian Dara O’Briain, and Countdown star Susie Dent have left X for Bluesky. Curtis announced her departure on Instagram, signaling a trend among high-profile users.