Bluesky Surges to 15 Million Users as Dissatisfied X Users Flee
Post-U.S. election, Bluesky has gained over one million new users, increasing its total to 15 million. This growth comes as many individuals leave X, dissatisfied with Elon Musk’s management. Influential figures have publicly denounced the toxic environment on X, leading to a migration of users towards Bluesky, which is being promoted as a safe haven for progressive voices.
In the aftermath of the recent U.S. presidential election, the micro-blogging platform Bluesky has witnessed a significant surge in its user base, adding over one million users since the electoral event. The platform reported a rise in its total user count from nine million in September to 15 million. This influx appears to coincide with a notable flight from users who are dissatisfied with the changes implemented under Elon Musk’s ownership of X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. Bluesky, launched by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in 2019, has increasingly been perceived as a haven for users dissatisfied with the perceived rightward shift fostered by Musk’s policies after he acquired X in October 2022. Many users have cited Musk’s collaboration with President-elect Donald Trump and the escalation of negative, hate-filled content on X as motivating factors for their migration to Bluesky. Commentary from influential figures underscores this sentiment. Mark Cuban remarked in a recent post, “Hello Less Hateful World,” expressing his relief at seeking a more positive online community. Adding to this narrative, The Guardian announced it would cease posting content on X, labeling it a “toxic media platform” and citing concerns over an increase in racism and conspiracy theories that have proliferated under its current management. This sentiment was echoed in a statement by The Guardian, asserting, “The US presidential election campaign served only to underline what we have considered for a long time: that X is a toxic media platform and that its owner, Elon Musk, has been able to use its influence to shape political discourse. We think that the benefits of being on X are now outweighed by the negatives and that resources could be better used promoting our journalism elsewhere.” Bluesky has capitalized on this exodus by promoting its image as a safe space for progressive users. In response to revelations that Musk planned to monitor election results alongside Trump, Bluesky reassured its users that no member of its team would engage in such politically charged activities, advocating instead for an independent and equitable online experience. Despite Bluesky’s growth, X retains a more substantial user base and has faced multiple waves of account closures. According to internet analytics firm Similarweb, approximately 115,000 users deactivated their X accounts on the day following the U.S. election, marking the largest single-day decline observed since Musk’s takeover.
Bluesky was developed as an alternative to provide users with a platform less influenced by extreme political views and hate speech. Since Elon Musk’s acquisition of X, many have expressed concerns regarding the content moderation policies and overall environment of social interaction on that platform. Discontent with X’s trajectory fueled interest in Bluesky and similar alternatives, promoting their significance in the current social media landscape. The migration of users from X to Bluesky is indicative of broader trends in social media use, where users increasingly seek platforms aligning with their values and providing a more conducive environment for discourse free from hate speech and political agitation.
In conclusion, Bluesky’s recent user growth demonstrates a significant shift among social media users seeking alternatives to X, particularly in light of dissatisfaction with the latter’s current direction under Elon Musk. With its focus on creating a more welcoming environment, Bluesky has attracted a community of users disillusioned with the toxic dynamics present on X. Furthermore, this trend highlights the evolving expectations of social media platforms as users prioritize healthy, respectful communication free from divisive rhetoric.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
