Bluesky, the social media platform, has gained over 700,000 new users in the week following the US election, as many flee X (formerly Twitter) due to concerns about misinformation and offensive content. This surge, primarily from North America and the UK, has helped Bluesky’s user base grow to 14.5 million, up from 9 million in September.
According to social media researcher Axel Bruns, Bluesky offers an alternative to X, with a more effective system for blocking or suspending problematic accounts and addressing harmful behavior. He said that the platform has become a “refuge” for those seeking a social media experience similar to the early days of Twitter, but without the far-right activism, misinformation, and hate speech that has increasingly dominated X.
Bluesky, which started as a project within Twitter but became independent in 2022, has attracted users dissatisfied with Elon Musk’s leadership of X and its ties to former President Donald Trump’s political activities. X has experienced a significant decline in user numbers since its rebranding and the platform’s controversial changes.
Bluesky reported an influx of 3 million new users after X was suspended in Brazil in September, and another 1.2 million joined after X announced it would allow users to view posts from those who had blocked them.
Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a historian and professor at NYU, switched to Bluesky after growing concerned about X’s potential transformation into a far-right propaganda outlet under Trump’s influence. Within her first day on Bluesky, she gained 21,000 followers.
Despite its rapid growth, Bluesky still ranks second to Threads on the Apple US App Store, which reached 275 million monthly active users in November. However, Bluesky has added new features, such as direct messaging and video compatibility, to better compete with X and distinguish itself from Threads.
Bruns observed that the surge in new users has created some “growing pains,” but it has also contributed to a vibrant and active community, evoking early excitement around social media platforms.
On Monday night, New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez posted on Bluesky, expressing her appreciation for the platform. Her post, “Good GOD it’s nice to be in a digital space with other real human beings,” received 27,000 likes.
