Bluesky, the decentralized social media platform incubated within Twitter and now independent, has reached a significant milestone of 24 million users. The rapid growth, fueled by frustration with Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter), surged notably after the 2024 US elections when users sought alternatives to the Musk-led platform.
Among Bluesky’s unique features are robust customization options, decentralized architecture, and enhanced content control. Users can tailor their feeds with tools like starter packs, user lists, and custom muted words. Power users can even host their own servers, embracing the platform’s decentralized ethos.
The platform’s growth skyrocketed after Musk publicly supported Donald Trump’s re-election, prompting millions to seek new social media homes. High-profile figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Stephen King, Guillermo del Toro, and Mark Hamill have joined Bluesky, further boosting its visibility. Ocasio-Cortez notably became the first user to surpass 1 million followers on the platform.
Bluesky now averages 1 million daily signups, according to trackers like Theo Sanderson, reflecting a 10-million-user increase since early November. Despite initial challenges, including crashes during peak influxes, Bluesky has stabilized operations, doubling its content moderation team to 100 contractors to ensure a smoother user experience.
CEO Jay Graber has pledged to keep Bluesky ad-free, focusing instead on a subscription model to fund its operations. Upcoming features for paying users may include high-quality video uploads and advanced customization tools. However, the rollout of these premium subscriptions has been delayed due to the unexpected user surge.
While Bluesky’s growth is remarkable, Meta’s Threads and X still dominate in scale, with 275 million and 611 million monthly active users, respectively. Bluesky’s long-term success will hinge on maintaining its momentum and offering a compelling user experience without succumbing to “enshittification,” as Graber describes the trajectory of many ad-driven platforms.
With Bluesky capturing the zeitgeist and doubling down on its user-first philosophy, it’s poised to remain a key player in the evolving social media landscape.
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