You might have noticed Bluesky making waves across social media lately and wondered what all the buzz is about.
Bluesky is emerging as an alternative to Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter), with a strikingly similar aesthetic in its color scheme and logo.
The platform is experiencing explosive growth, reportedly adding around a million new users daily.
With 22 million users at the time of writing, that number is likely already out of date by the time you read this.
So, what exactly is Bluesky, and why is everyone flocking to it?
What is Bluesky?
Bluesky bills itself as "social media as it should be." At first glance, it looks a lot like other familiar platforms.
The layout features a left-hand menu with everything you'd expect: search, notifications, and a homepage. Users can post, comment, repost, and like content, making the experience feel similar to X.
In essence, it offers a streamlined interface reminiscent of the classic Twitter experience many people miss.
The Key Difference: Decentralisation
Bluesky’s standout feature is its decentralised design. This means users can host their data on servers outside of the company’s direct control.
In practice, this allows for greater flexibility and ownership of accounts. For example, users can sign up with their own domains, creating a more personalised identity. That said, most people still use the default “.bsky.social” username format when joining.
Who Created Bluesky?
Bluesky’s connection to X isn’t coincidental—it was founded by Jack Dorsey, the former CEO of Twitter. Dorsey envisioned it as a decentralised version of Twitter, free from corporate control.
However, Dorsey stepped away from Bluesky's board in May 2024 and deleted his account in September. The platform is now led by CEO Jay Graber.
Why Is Bluesky Gaining Momentum?
Though Bluesky has been around since 2019, it remained invitation-only until February 2024. This allowed developers to iron out technical challenges before opening it to the public.
However, the real surge in users came in November, following political shifts including Donald Trump’s election victory. Elon Musk, a vocal Trump supporter, faced backlash on X, prompting many users to seek alternatives.
Media outlets like The Guardian have also criticised X as a "toxic platform," opting to stop posting there. Meanwhile, Bluesky has gained traction, topping app download charts and attracting celebrities like Lizzo, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Ben Stiller.
X users have also complained of an increase in bots, or automated accounts, affecting the ability to effectively use the platform.
How Does Bluesky Make Money?
Unlike X, which relies heavily on advertising, Bluesky is exploring other revenue models, such as paid features. For example, users could eventually pay for custom domains tied to their usernames, offering added personalisation and potential verification.
While the platform hasn’t fully monetised yet, this isn’t unusual for tech startups. Even Twitter struggled to turn a profit during its early years.
Can Bluesky Rival X?
Bluesky’s rapid growth is impressive, but it’s still far from competing with X, which claims hundreds of millions of active daily users. Musk has previously stated X serves 250 million users per day.
For now, Bluesky is a rising star in the social media world, but whether it can sustain its momentum—and carve out a lasting place—remains to be seen.
Are you thinking of creating a Bluesky account?
For many social enterprises and not for profits, X is becoming a more difficult platform to reach your audience. If you’re interested in creating a new Bluesky account, get in touch with us for a 1-1 discussion: info@zyncdigital.com
Comments