Micro-blogging startup Bluesky has gained over 1.25 million new users in the past week, indicating a significant shift in social media habits following the recent U.S. presidential election. The platform is positioning itself as a viable alternative to its rivals, X (formerly Twitter) and Meta's Threads, attracting users primarily from the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Despite this surge, Bluesky's total user base of 15.2 million remains a fraction of its competitors, with Threads boasting nearly 275 million users and X reported to have around 318 million. CEO Jay Graber expressed excitement about welcoming those seeking a better social media experience.
The influx of users reflects a growing discontent with X, particularly among journalists and political figures who criticize the platform's direction under Elon Musk. Many users have cited dissatisfaction with the perceived spread of misinformation and a shift towards a politically charged environment as reasons for their migration to Bluesky.
This is not the first notable surge for Bluesky; it previously gained 2 million new users in September after the Brazilian Supreme Court suspended X for content moderation issues. The platform, initially developed within Twitter in 2019, operates without advertisements and focuses on user control over data and moderation.