Photo source: FMT
Bluesky is positioning itself as a serious contender for the title of the next major hub for online engagement, potentially surpassing both X and Threads. Currently, Bluesky is experiencing a notable surge in popularity.
Since its inception, Bluesky has demonstrated significant promise, particularly with features such as customisable algorithmic feeds and user-defined moderation filters. However, it initially struggled to attract a substantial user base, which limited its appeal as a primary social network.
But recent developments have changed this trajectory dramatically.
Over the past month, Bluesky welcomed 700,000 new users in just one week and has now surpassed the 15 million user milestone. CEO Jay Graber announced that the platform has crossed the 20 million user mark, with daily additions exceeding one million.
A key factor driving interest in Bluesky is its resemblance to a more refined version of Twitter. Users appreciate the control they have over their experience on Bluesky, which contrasts sharply with Threads, where Meta dictates the content presented through its algorithmic feed.
Despite its progress, Bluesky has faced challenges, including technical issues related to its growth and a significant outage caused by a cut fibre cable. Nevertheless, Meta appears to be feeling the competitive pressure from Bluesky.
Following Bluesky’s announcement of reaching 15 million users, Threads head Adam Mosseri revealed that his platform had already gained over 15 million signups in November alone. CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently noted that Threads has achieved 275 million monthly users.
In response to this competition, Meta has implemented updates to Threads, including custom feeds and enhancements to the For You feed to prioritise content from followed accounts.
While Bluesky is currently favoured by some users, it remains relatively small compared to Threads and X. The long-term retention of users on Bluesky is uncertain, especially given Meta’s ambition to transform Threads into a billion-user platform.
Additionally, X continues to hold relevance due to its use by various companies for updates and the influence wielded by owner Elon Musk in political spheres.
It seems unlikely that any of these platforms will fully replicate Twitter’s former essence with users now dispersed across multiple networks. However, Bluesky appears poised to become a venue for gauging online trends and discussions in the future as the anticipation surrounding its development continues to grow.