Bluesky Gains Users Amid X Decline

Bluesky, a decentralized social media platform initiated by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, has experienced significant user growth following the U.S. presidential election, attracting over 1 million new users in just one day, and reaching a total of 16 million users. This surge is largely attributed to dissatisfaction with X, formerly Twitter, under Elon Musk's control, where users have expressed concerns over increased toxicity and right-wing political alignment following Musk's support for Donald Trump. Unlike traditional platforms, Bluesky offers user-driven content through decentralized servers, allowing more control over data and community rules, which appeals to those disaffected by X's centralization. Despite facing some technical issues, Bluesky's popularity is reflected in its top ranking among free apps on Apple's App Store. Meanwhile, X has seen a decline in users, with its numbers dropping from 611 million in April to 586 million by September 2024. Bluesky's commitment to open-source models and enhanced user engagement is positioning it as a viable alternative to X and other social media giants.