If you’ve recently noticed “Bluesky” trending on social media, you might be wondering what all the buzz is about.

Bluesky is emerging as a competitor to Elon Musk’s X, with a design and color scheme that bear some resemblance to its rival. The platform is experiencing rapid growth, attracting about one million new users daily.

As of now, Bluesky boasts 16.7 million users, a figure that’s rising so quickly it may already be outdated.

But what exactly is Bluesky, and why is it drawing so much attention?

What Is Bluesky?
Bluesky describes itself as “social media as it should be.” Its interface is familiar, featuring standard features like search, notifications, and a homepage. Users can post, comment, like, and repost content—similar to how Twitter, now X, functioned in its earlier days.

What sets Bluesky apart is its decentralized nature. In simple terms, this means users can store their data on servers outside the platform’s direct control. While most people opt for a standard Bluesky account, complete with a “.bsky.social” handle, the platform allows for more personalized options if users choose to set up their own accounts independently.

Who Owns Bluesky?
If Bluesky feels reminiscent of X, there’s a reason: Jack Dorsey, the former head of Twitter, founded the platform. Dorsey envisioned it as a decentralized version of Twitter that wouldn’t be owned or controlled by a single entity.

However, Dorsey has since distanced himself from the project. He stepped down from Bluesky’s board in May 2024 and later deleted his account in September. Leadership now rests with CEO Jay Graber, and Bluesky operates as a US public benefit corporation.

Originally launched in 2019, Bluesky remained invite-only until February 2024. This controlled rollout allowed developers to fine-tune the platform before opening it to the public. However, November saw a surge of new users, leading to occasional outages as the platform struggled to keep up with demand.

Why the Recent Spike in Users?
The platform’s user base surged following Donald Trump’s victory in the US elections this November. Elon Musk, X’s owner and a prominent supporter of Trump, has faced backlash for his involvement in Trump’s administration. This political climate has driven some users to leave X in protest.

Others have cited different reasons for leaving. For instance, The Guardian announced it would stop posting on X, calling it a “toxic media platform.” As discontent grows, Bluesky has gained traction as an alternative. On a recent Thursday, it even became the top free app in the UK’s Apple App Store.

Celebrities are also making the switch. Notable figures like Lizzo, Greg Davies, Ben Stiller, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Patton Oswalt have joined Bluesky, with some reducing or entirely abandoning their activity on X.

Can Bluesky Compete With X?
While Bluesky’s growth is impressive, it still has a long way to go before it can rival X. Exact user numbers for X are not publicly available, but estimates suggest it has hundreds of millions of users. Elon Musk previously claimed X sees 250 million daily active users.

Bluesky’s funding has come from venture capital and investors, raising tens of millions of dollars. However, its rapid expansion brings financial challenges. Unlike X, which traditionally relied on advertising for revenue, Bluesky is exploring alternative funding models. One such idea is charging users for personalized domains in their usernames, which could also serve as a form of verification.

For example, a username like “@username.bsky.social” could eventually become something like “@username.yourdomain.com,” with the domain providing an extra layer of authenticity.

If Bluesky avoids advertising, it may need to consider broader monetization strategies, such as subscription services, to sustain its operations. That said, operating at a loss isn’t unusual for tech startups. Even Twitter, before Musk’s acquisition, turned a profit just twice in its eight years as a public company.

The Road Ahead for Bluesky
Bluesky’s future remains uncertain, but its recent momentum is undeniable. Whether it can sustain this growth and pose a serious challenge to X is a question only time will answer. For now, it’s clear that this newcomer is carving out a space for itself in the crowded social media landscape.

Source