Bluesky, the social network positioning itself as a direct competitor to X (formerly Twitter), is experiencing a surge in popularity, attracting over 16 million users, including numerous Hollywood celebrities. This rise comes amid a shift away from X, as users, including high-profile names, move to Bluesky, particularly following recent changes on Musk’s platform and the shift in political dynamics following the US election.
On November 14, Bluesky, created by Jay Graber and originally conceived by Jack Dorsey in 2019, soared to the top of the App Store charts. It welcomed one million new users in a single week, reaching 15 million users by Wednesday. However, this rapid growth has been accompanied by some glitches, as thousands of users reported outages on November 15, coinciding with Bluesky surpassing 16 million users.
While Musk’s X still boasts an estimated 317 million users, Bluesky’s user base, though smaller, continues to grow steadily. The platform is attracting many former X users, including celebrities such as Don Lemon, Jamie Lee Curtis, Elton John, Mia Farrow, and Whoopi Goldberg, who have expressed their departure from X. Lemon shared a video explaining his decision, stating, “I once believed it was a place for honest debate, discussion, transparency, and free speech. But now, I feel it no longer serves that purpose.” Rapper Lizzo also announced her switch, citing a desire to leave the “toxicity” behind.
Bluesky’s appeal lies in its decentralized nature, allowing users to create their own servers and set their own rules, as opposed to relying on company-owned servers, making it a refreshing alternative for many disillusioned with Musk’s vision for X. Originally a research project by Dorsey, Bluesky launched as a standalone platform in 2021 and opened to the public in 2023 as a beta. With its growing user base and Hollywood backing, Bluesky is quickly establishing itself as a serious challenger to X.
