Is BlueSky Replacing X? What You Need to Know About the Platform

New social media platforms often appear in the modern era, but many do not survive. The latest social media platform to gain popularity is Bluesky, which offers an experience similar to X. Recently, the platform has seen a large increase in users signing up and using the platform daily. Below is everything you should know about Bluesky and whether or not your business should utilize it. 

What is Bluesky?

Bluesky was initially launched in 2021 to a limited amount of users. By the end of 2023, just over 1 million users had signed up. As of December 2024, the number of users has grown to 25 million, with most joining after the US election in November 2024. Bluesky offers similar functionality to what it was before it changed to X, with limited character counts and basic feed options. This is because Bluesky was created by Jack Dorsey, an ex-Twitter CEO.

How does Bluesky work?

Users simply create a profile by choosing their username and then following other users. Users can post original content using up to 300 characters and like, repost, and share other posts. To navigate, users can search or use the three feed options: Following, Discover, and Popular with Friends. Many users are enjoying the smaller audience and increased engagement on Bluesky, especially as there are currently limited bot accounts. Additionally, there is no algorithm to dictate what posts are pushed or hidden, meaning anything you post will be on your follower’s feeds. However, it may get buried if many people are posting at the same time. 

Unique Features of Bluesky

As a decentralized social media platform, Bluesky offers some unique experiences that users will not find elsewhere. 

Nuclear Block

The blocking feature of Blueksy is strict and quick. This feature effectively removes all connections between you and the user you block on the digital platform. If you choose to block someone, they will be unable to see your posts or any reposts of your posts while also removing any mentions of you from conversations or posts. This ensures a clean break and avoids the messy back-and-forth in comments under other users’ posts. Users can also see who has blocked them on the Clearsky App.

Starter Packs

For new users, finding people to follow can seem overwhelming. This is why Bluesky introduced Starter Packs in June 2024. These are curated collections of recommended users and custom feeds based on specific interests. This allows users to connect with others in niche categories with ease. Users can also create and share their own Starter Packs, making use of community and shared interests. 

So, is it worth the switch?

Switching to Bluesky may not be worth it for all businesses. However, you should make an account and reserve your business name as a handle. The surge in users and daily use is looking promising and it can be highly beneficial for niche industries due to higher levels of engagement. If the trend continues, Bluesky looks to become a direct competitor with Threads, and potentially X, especially as modern internet users look to have more control over their online presence. Right now, users are primarily US based, meaning any business looking to engage with an international audience is still best to focus on other social platforms.