Bluesky, though still considered an underdog in the competition for alternatives to X, is rapidly gaining traction. The once Twitter-affiliated service has recently surpassed the 15 million user milestone, having added over a million new users in the past week alone, according to a company update.
Despite being significantly smaller than its main competitor, Threads, which boasts 275 million users, there are indications that Threads users are increasingly interested in Bluesky. “Bluesky” has been a trending topic on Threads recently, and an in-app search reveals more than 19,000 posts about “Bluesky.” In an effort to attract Threads users, Bluesky has been actively posting on the Meta-owned platform in recent weeks.
This strategy appears to be paying off. Just a month ago, Bluesky had slightly under 9 million users. Its mobile app now holds the top position in Apple’s App Store, surpassing both Threads and ChatGPT. The recent surge in Bluesky’s popularity seems to be partly fueled by dissatisfaction with Elon Musk and X following the US presidential election.
A report from web analytics firm SimilarWeb highlighted that on November 7, “more than 115,000 US web visitors deactivated their accounts,” marking the highest single-day deactivation during Elon Musk’s tenure. The report also noted a significant increase in web traffic and daily active users for Bluesky in the week leading up to the election and again after election day. At times, Bluesky even saw more web traffic than Threads, although Threads’ mobile usage remains “far ahead” of Bluesky.
The report highlights; “In the US, Bluesky received more web visits than Threads in the immediate aftermath of the election. For context, it’s important to note that both services are primarily app-centric, even though they do support a web user interface.”
Bluesky appears determined to set itself apart from its larger, billionaire-controlled competitors. Originally an internal project at Twitter, Bluesky has since spun off into an independent entity and has been experimenting with innovative features such as custom feeds, user-created moderation services, and “starter packs” for new users.
Bluesky’s Chief Operating Officer, Rose Wang, emphasized the platform’s unique approach in a video message aimed at new users on Tuesday.
You’re probably used to being trapped in a single algorithm controlled by a small group of people; that’s no longer the case,” Wang explained. “On Bluesky, there are about 50,000 different feeds. These feeds provide a cozy corner for you to meet people with similar interests. And you can actually make friends again because you’re no longer tied to a dominant algorithm that promotes either the most polarizing posts or the biggest brands. That’s the mandate of Bluesky.
By offering a more personalized and less algorithm-driven experience, Bluesky aims to create a more engaging and community-focused platform, distinguishing itself from its larger rivals.
