Is 'Bluesky' The New Twitter? Platform Gains 1.25M Followers During X's Mass Exodus After US Elections

After Donald Trump's recent win in the U.S. elections and Elon Musk's outspoken endorsement of his campaign on the social media site X, many users are looking for different online platforms. Musk, who bought Twitter in 2022 and renamed it X, has been upfront about backing Trump's agenda to his 200 million followers, leading to significant frustration among many users of the platform. As a result, Bluesky, a decentralized social network similar to X, has rapidly emerged as a popular alternative, attracting millions of users who are unhappy with the path Musk has taken with X.

"Mass Migration From X To Bluesky"

Within a single week, Bluesky welcomed 1.25 million new users, as reported by CBC News, raising its total number of users to over 15 million. This surge comes after the platform had nine million users in September and corresponds with Musk's growing partisan stance on X. A number of users voiced their worries about the platform's shift to the right, leading to "Bluesky" trending on X as people shared their choice to move away from the site. This migration from social media indicates a wider discontent with Musk's connection to Trump's political plans, particularly highlighted by Musk's recent appointment to a governmental advisory position.

Megan Boler, a professor at the University of Toronto's Ontario Institute for Studies in Education who researches social media, remarked that the U.S. election has become a strong driving factor for many people considering leaving X. "There's already a lot of distrust towards Elon Musk in various communities," she explained, adding, "This is the final straw." Boler also decided to set up a Bluesky account as she joined others looking for a more unbiased platform.

Musk’s Controversial X Rebranding

After Elon Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion in 2022, he transformed the platform significantly, renaming it X and enacting modifications that have driven away numerous longtime users. As reported by BNN Bloomberg, many critics claim that Musk is steering X to align with his conservative beliefs, boosting his own content while suppressing opposing political opinions. His connection to Trump, whom he backed during the election, has led to the perception that X reflects Musk's political stance, making it increasingly associated with right-wing ideologies.

Musk claims that X still has around 600 million users who are active each month. Nevertheless, Boler and other media analysts indicate that this change has deepened the ideological split on social media, prompting users to seek out platforms that align better with their beliefs. Bluesky, known for its decentralized approach and emphasis on giving users more control, presents a compelling option. Boler remarked, "In times of despair and feelings of helplessness, a gesture like this can be really positive."

Bluesky: A New Hub For Progressive Minds?

Bluesky started as a project linked to Twitter in 2019 but became an independent platform in 2022. It quickly gained popularity due to its decentralized design, which provides users with more control over their content. The platform's interface and functionalities are similar to those of X, making it an attractive option. It has also moved away from being invitation-only, now welcoming users from all over the world to join.

Emily Liu, a representative from Bluesky, mentioned that lately, the majority of new users are coming from North America and the UK. She shared with CBC News that there has been a notable rise in various types of engagement on the platform. "We're thrilled to see so many different communities joining Bluesky, including Swift fans, sports enthusiasts, and journalists," she said.

Bluesky is a decentralized platform that uses the AT Protocol, allowing users to move effortlessly between compatible services without losing their followers or data. Many users refer to it as "X without the negativity," noting that their posts receive more interaction and experience fewer spam accounts. Seth Lewis, who heads the emerging media program at the University of Oregon, shared with CBC that many people are seeking alternative platforms with different algorithms that facilitate genuine connections, rather than facing an influx of spam and other issues.

The Allure Of Decentralization: Bluesky Rising

Bluesky's decentralized system is attractive to those who prioritize control and openness. Unlike traditional platforms, Bluesky enables users to move their content and followers to other compatible networks, giving them more freedom and ownership over their online presence. Lewis noted that Bluesky's resemblance to X in terms of layout, design, and user interactions also appeals to former Twitter users. He stated, "[Bluesky] offers many of the features that people enjoyed on Twitter—minus the negativity and trolling that many encounter on X."

Although Bluesky is expanding quickly, it remains behind Meta's Threads, which is said to have 275 million users each month. Nonetheless, Bluesky stands out due to its decentralised structure and clear algorithms, which many people value in today's divided online landscape. Lewis noted that this change might signify a larger movement toward more diverse social media environments, where users are attracted to specific communities and platforms that resonate with their beliefs.

Journalists And Public Figures Navigate Platform Changes

Although Bluesky is becoming more popular, journalists and public figures still face a challenge because X has been their main platform for connecting and engaging with their audiences for a long time. Lewis pointed out that many important public officials, journalists, and significant media representatives are still using X. As long as they remain active on that platform, X will continue to dominate the discussions.

It's still unclear if Bluesky can keep its current pace and really compete with X's leading position. Lewis suggests, "While you might see a drop of a few million users due to the backlash against Elon and the platform, it's uncertain if that will have a significant impact overall."

As Bluesky gains more users, the shift away from X might indicate a wider trend in the changing world of social media. People are looking for platforms that resonate more with their values and communication preferences.