Sandwiched between hot takes on the U.S. presidential election and (yawn) one-liners about Mike Tyson and Jake Paul’s latest fight, you might have spotted a buzzword lighting up your feed: BlueSky. Touted as the heir apparent to the blue bird app, this new platform is capturing the attention of X’s most devoted users. But what exactly is BlueSky, and why is everyone talking about it?
Based on the past two years since Tesla CEO Elon Musk took over, it’s safe to say that X (formerly Twitter) has undergone some dramatic transformations—some loved, others loathed. From controversial policy changes to chaotic verification overhauls, these shifts have left many users questioning the platform’s future. And while they ponder over what the social media platform could become, many are already upset at what it has turned into, which is a chaotic mix of pay-to-play gimmicks, timeline shuffles that feel like a slot machine, and horrifying posts better suited to 4Chan.
Enter BlueSky, a platform with features reminiscent of X, like chronological feeds, but with a lighter, ad-free, and hate-free atmosphere. Journalists, celebrities, and countless others seeking refuge from X’s rising toxicity have flocked to it. “I can honestly say I considered Bluesky—and Threads, and other X-like platforms—because I have been looking for an alternative for X for almost 2 years,” a prominent journalist from our region told MILLE. “The new algorithm, the changes to the interface, and now the announcement that X will use AI to scan posts and train itself—I cannot get behind those things. I also don’t like Elon Musk and I don’t particularly want to support him in any way,” they continued.
bluesky’s user count grew by another million today
welcome to all 19M of you 🥳https://t.co/x6v5YW0WFT pic.twitter.com/FtCvcyyr20
— bluesky (@bluesky) November 18, 2024
Critics have pointed to X’s worsening moderation practices, surging hate speech, and arbitrary shadow-bans seemingly tied to Musk’s whims. The platform’s erratic handling of sensitive global events—like the inconsistent moderation seen following October 7—has only fueled discontent, leaving many users yearning for stability and meaningful dialogue. BlueSky might just be the fresh start they’ve been waiting for. “The way my posts about the events were throttled was crazy,” another journalist, who also wished to remain anonymous, added.
“It felt like the platform wasn’t just failing to uphold freedom of speech as it was actively suppressing it. That was the final straw for me. I realized I needed to find a space where my voice wouldn’t be filtered or silenced based on arbitrary, shifting rules or overnight policies,” they concluded.
For those longing for the “good old days” of Twitter—or just tired of its current chaos—BlueSky offers a refreshing alternative. Touted as a decentralized, user-driven platform, it promises a more transparent experience—or at least one that doesn’t feel like a game of social media Russian roulette. Welcoming ex-X users by the millions over the past few weeks, it has quickly become the new digital hangout for those seeking refuge from Musk’s mess. But how exactly does it work?
Initially launched as an invite-only platform until February 2024, when it opened to the public, BlueSky was founded in 2019 by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey as a research initiative under Twitter. In essence, the platform doesn’t stray far from the blueprint of its predecessor. Sporting a similar color scheme to its “long-lost cousin,” BlueSky allows users to post thoughts, repost others, send direct messages, and explore either a “discover” feed or a chronological timeline. It also offers “starter packs”—curated lists of accounts to follow based on your interests—making it feel like Twitter with a Gucci belt.
While BlueSky has reportedly welcomed millions of new users over the past month, it’s hard not to draw comparisons to Mark Zuckerberg’s Threads, another contender in the race to dethrone X. Despite an explosive debut, Threads quickly lost steam, proving just how entrenched and influential X remains—flaws and all. As we keep our fingers crossed for BlueSky to avoid a similar fate, it’s hard not to wonder if it can maintain its momentum or if it too will fizzle out once the initial hype subsides.
That said, only time will tell if BlueSky has what it takes to truly challenge Twitter’s dominance or if it will just become another blip on the radar of failed social media challengers. For now, though, it’s certainly enjoying its moment in the spotlight.
