Bluesky, the decentralized social network, reported a massive influx of over 1 million users within 24 hours on Thursday, pushing its total user base beyond 16 million.
This milestone marks one of the busiest days in the platform’s history and reflects the shifting dynamics in the social media landscape, as platforms like X (formerly Twitter) face criticism and user abandonment over concerns about toxicity and political bias.
The surge coincided with Instagram head Adam Mosseri’s announcement that Threads, Meta’s text-based social network, had recorded over 15 million sign-ups in November. Mosseri also noted that Threads has maintained a steady pace of 1 million daily sign-ups over the past three months. Despite being much smaller than its competitors—Threads boasts over 275 million active users—Bluesky’s recent growth places it in the spotlight.
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The influx of users propelled Bluesky to the top of the free apps chart on the U.S. App Store, ahead of ChatGPT and Threads. However, the platform faced some technical challenges on Thursday as service disruptions were reported due to networking issues, including a cable problem with one of its internet service providers.
Bluesky’s Growth Spurred by Controversies
Bluesky has seen consistent user growth over recent months, driven by global events and controversies. The platform gained traction following X’s ban in Brazil, moderation challenges on Threads, and political developments in the United States. After the recent U.S. presidential election, Bluesky reported more than 1 million new sign-ups within a week. The election was particularly contentious, with X owner Elon Musk openly supporting President-elect Donald Trump and promoting pro-Trump content in algorithmic feeds.
Bluesky CEO Jay Graber has highlighted the platform’s high engagement levels, stating that it surpasses X in terms of active posters. In contrast to the typical “90-9-1” pattern of lurkers, commenters, and posters on social platforms, Bluesky has maintained a poster ratio of approximately 30%, a significant deviation from industry norms.
In October, Bluesky raised $15 million in Series A funding, led by Blockchain Capital, with contributions from notable investors such as Kubernetes co-creator Joe Beda. The company plans to introduce subscription models as part of its product development roadmap.
X Faces Backlash and High-Profile Departures
While Bluesky and Threads grow, X continues to grapple with an exodus of users and organizations, driven by concerns about the platform’s toxicity and political alignment. On Thursday, renowned author Stephen King announced his departure, citing the platform’s toxic atmosphere.
“Tried to stay, but the atmosphere has just become too toxic,” King wrote on X, urging followers to join him on Threads.
King’s departure is part of a broader trend, with entities such as The Guardian, German football club St. Pauli, and Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia also leaving X. The Guardian criticized the platform for hosting “disturbing content,” while St. Pauli labeled it a “hate machine,” and La Vanguardia condemned it as an “echo chamber” for disinformation.
The actor Jamie Lee Curtis and journalist Don Lemon have also left X, with Curtis emphasizing the need to focus on constructive change and Lemon lamenting the loss of transparency and free speech on the platform. The Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) joined the exodus, citing unfavorable changes to X’s terms and conditions that require legal disputes to be heard in Texas, a jurisdiction perceived to favor Musk.
The Impact of Political Bias
Musk’s political leanings, particularly his vocal support for Trump during the U.S. presidential election, have fueled criticism. Musk’s claims against Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and his backing of Trump’s candidacy have alienated some users, including King, who openly rebuked Musk’s statements.
Musk’s controversial decisions, such as charging for verification and changes to content moderation policies, have also drawn ire. High-profile exits like King’s highlight growing dissatisfaction among prominent users, further contributing to X’s declining popularity.
Bluesky and Threads Capitalize on X’s Decline
As X faces mounting criticism, Bluesky and Threads are capitalizing on the opportunity to attract disenchanted users. Both platforms offer alternatives for those seeking healthier and more engaging online spaces. While Threads benefits from Meta’s extensive ecosystem, Bluesky’s decentralized model and high user engagement have carved a niche in the competitive social media landscape.
The broader implications of this shift underscore the changing priorities of social media users, who are increasingly seeking platforms that prioritize transparency, inclusivity, and balanced moderation.