Bluesky has surged to the top of the Apple App Store’s US chart, reflecting a significant growth in its user base. The decentralized social platform has doubled its user count in the past three months, recently announcing 1 million new sign-ups in just one week, bringing its total user base to over 15 million. This surge comes as a wave of users appear to be leaving X (formerly Twitter), particularly after Elon Musk’s heightened political involvement during the US presidential election.
Factors Driving Bluesky’s Rise
The noticeable increase in Bluesky’s popularity is partly driven by dissatisfaction with X, which has become more politically charged under Musk’s leadership. Critics point to Musk’s promotion of right-wing figures and policies, as well as changes to the platform such as the reduction of content moderation and the reinstatement of banned extremist accounts. These actions have led to an increase in problematic content, including hate speech and misogynistic language, which some users find off-putting.
In response, prominent journalists and media figures, including Charlie Warzel of The Atlantic, Mara Gay from The New York Times, and Don Lemon, have announced their exit from X, many migrating to Bluesky. The Guardian also declared it would no longer use X for official posts, labeling it a “toxic media platform.”
X’s Traffic Surge and Declining User Engagement
Despite the turmoil, X saw a surge in traffic during the election period, with over 46 million visits to the platform on Election Day. However, post-election data suggests that the boost in engagement may be short-lived, as user activity on X seems to be waning. In contrast, Bluesky’s growth has been more sustained, with significant increases in user activity around the same period.
Though X still boasts a larger user base than Bluesky, and its user numbers remain higher than competitors like Meta’s Threads, some are noticing better engagement on Bluesky. Media relations expert Ed Zitron and New York Times journalist Mike Isaac both shared their observations of higher engagement on Bluesky despite having larger followings on X.
Musk’s Political Maneuvering and Its Impact on X
While Bluesky benefits from this migration of users, X continues to thrive in certain circles, particularly with right-wing users. Musk’s political activism, including his vocal support for Trump, has turned X into a platform largely aligned with right-leaning political discourse. This may have alienated some users, but it has also cemented Musk’s influence within certain political and business spheres.
In the wake of the election, Musk’s personal wealth saw a significant increase, partly due to his close ties with Trump. Musk’s influence now extends beyond social media, with Trump naming him to a new government role, and Musk continuing to leverage his platform to amplify his political connections.
Conclusion: Bluesky’s Growth vs X’s Resilience
Although Bluesky is currently experiencing impressive growth and has attracted users frustrated with X’s direction, it is unlikely to dethrone X in the near future. X’s massive user base and Musk’s political leverage ensure its ongoing relevance, despite recent controversies. For now, Bluesky’s rise seems to be more of a reflection of dissatisfaction with X rather than a direct challenger to its dominance.
