Social media site Bluesky has experienced a surge in users in the week following the U.S. election, adding 1 million new users to reach a total of 15 million. The platform, championed by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, was initially invitation-only before opening to the public earlier this year. Bluesky features a similar layout to Elon Musk’s X, with a “discover” feed and a chronological feed for followed accounts, as well as direct messaging and pinning posts. The platform also offers “starter packs” to help users find curated lists of people and custom feeds to follow.
Bluesky has seen previous spikes in user growth when users migrated from X, such as when X was banned in Brazil in August, resulting in 2.6 million new users for Bluesky, with 85% coming from Brazil. Additionally, 500,000 new users signed up in a single day last month when X announced that blocked accounts would still be able to view public posts. Despite Bluesky’s growth, X reported record signups and posts related to the U.S. election, with a 15.5% increase in new users on Election Day and a total of 942 million posts worldwide.
Bluesky has made playful jabs at X, emphasizing its commitment to user privacy and transparency. In response to an Election Day post on X showing Musk with President-elect Donald Trump, Bluesky assured users that its team members would not be giving direct access to control what users see online. The platform appears to differentiate itself from X by highlighting its moderation tools and dedication to user trust.
New users on Bluesky come from diverse backgrounds, including journalists and left-leaning individuals seeking an alternative social media platform. The growth in users following the U.S. election reflects a trend of users looking for alternatives to mainstream platforms. Bluesky’s ability to attract users during key moments, such as political events and disruptions on other platforms, demonstrates its potential as a viable alternative for those seeking a different online experience.
As Bluesky continues to grow its user base and solidify its position in the social media landscape, it will be interesting to see how it differentiates itself from other platforms like X. With its focus on user privacy, transparency, and curated content, Bluesky may appeal to users looking for a more controlled and engaging online experience. The platform’s playful rivalry with X and its ability to attract users during critical moments suggest that it has the potential to become a significant player in the social media space.
