In the turbulent wake of the US presidential election, a mass exodus is underway as social media users flee the misinformation-plagued platform X, formerly known as Twitter, seeking refuge in the rapidly growing newcomer Bluesky. Over 700,000 users have flocked to Bluesky in just the past week, propelling its total user base to an impressive 14.5 million.
The surge in Bluesky’s popularity comes as X faces mounting criticism for the proliferation of far-right activism, hate speech, and bot activity on its platform. Elon Musk’s close ties to president-elect Donald Trump and the rebranding of Twitter to X earlier this year have further fueled disillusionment among many longtime users.
Bluesky’s Rise as X Falters
Bluesky, which began as a project within Twitter but spun off into an independent company in 2022, has positioned itself as a beacon of hope for those yearning for the early days of social media. Helmed by CEO Jay Graber, the platform boasts a more effective system for moderating harmful content and problematic accounts compared to X.
“It’s become a refuge for people who want to have the kind of social media experience that Twitter used to provide, but without all the far-right activism, the misinformation, the hate speech, the bots and everything else,” said social media researcher Axel Bruns.
X’s woes have been compounded by a 21% slump in US usage in the months following its rebranding and the platform’s temporary suspension in Brazil in September. Each controversy has triggered waves of users to jump ship to Bluesky, with the company reporting 3 million new sign-ups in the week after the Brazil debacle alone.
Features and Growing Pains
While still trailing Meta’s Threads, which boasts 275 million monthly active users, Bluesky has been rapidly adding features to rival X and carve out its own niche. Recent additions include direct messaging and video compatibility, aiming to replicate the best aspects of X while fostering a healthier online community.
However, the explosive growth has not come without challenges. New users are still getting acclimated to Bluesky’s interface and unique features like “starter packs”—curated groups of users with shared interests and expertise. But these “growing pains” have done little to dampen enthusiasm, with many praising the invigorating sense of community and civil discourse.
“It really feels like a throwback to those days of the early excitement about social media in many ways, and that’s what, at the moment, attracts quite a few people,” observed Professor Axel Bruns. “It just makes it more vibrant, more active place.”
High-Profile Endorsements
The burgeoning platform has even caught the attention of prominent figures like New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who recently declared her return to Bluesky, exclaiming:
“Good GOD it’s nice to be in a digital space with other real human beings.”
Her post quickly racked up 27,000 likes, underscoring the palpable hunger for genuine connection and substantive dialogue in the social media landscape.
X’s Uncertain Future
As X grapples with its identity crisis and the specter of becoming a de facto propaganda arm for the incoming Trump administration, Bluesky is poised to attract even more disaffected users seeking a digital oasis. NYU professor Ruth Ben-Ghiat, who amassed over 21,000 Bluesky followers in a single day, encapsulated the sentiments of many, noting:
“I am still on X but after January, when X could be owned by a de facto member of the Trump administration, its functions as a Trump propaganda outlet and far-right radicalization machine could be accelerated.”
With the battle lines drawn, the social media wars are entering a new phase. As users vote with their feet and flock to greener pastures, the question remains: will Bluesky soar to new heights or will it succumb to the same pitfalls that have plagued its predecessors? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—the great migration has begun, and the digital landscape may never be the same.
