Bluesky Surges with 700,000 New Members as Users Flee X After US Election: A Social Media Revolution in the Making
In the wake of the US election, a quiet revolution has been unfolding in the world of social media. The platform Bluesky has seen a dramatic increase in user growth, with over 700,000 new members joining in just one week following the election results. This surge has propelled Bluesky’s user base to 14.5 million globally, up from 9 million in September. The platform’s meteoric rise is largely attributed to disillusioned social media users seeking a safer, more regulated alternative to X (formerly Twitter), especially after the platform underwent a radical transformation under Elon Musk's ownership and his association with US president-elect Donald Trump.
Bluesky, which originated as a project within Twitter before becoming an independent platform in 2022, has quickly become a refuge for those seeking a break from the rising tide of far-right activism, misinformation, and offensive content that has overtaken X in recent months. As X grapples with growing controversy and user dissatisfaction, Bluesky is capitalizing on the opportunity to position itself as a civil and balanced alternative.
Bluesky’s Meteoric Rise: A Reaction to X's Polarization
Bluesky’s growth surge is not a coincidence. It’s a direct result of a growing dissatisfaction with X under Musk’s leadership, where controversial decisions have led to an increase in far-right rhetoric, the spread of misinformation, and a more hostile environment overall. Social media users from all walks of life are flocking to Bluesky in search of a more thoughtful, moderated space for social discourse.
In just a few short weeks, Bluesky has achieved what few social media platforms could manage in a similar time frame—drawing millions of users who are frustrated with the negative atmosphere that has come to dominate X. According to Axel Bruns, a social media researcher at Queensland University of Technology, Bluesky is offering something different than the rest: “It’s become a refuge for people who want the kind of social media experience that Twitter used to provide, but without all the far-right activism, the misinformation, the hate speech, the bots, and everything else.”
Indeed, the liberal, moderate, and progressive communities that once thrived on X have largely moved en masse to Bluesky, seeking a more constructive environment. "The more liberal kind of Twitter community has really now escaped from there," Bruns observed. "Bluesky is providing a space where these users can come together, free from the toxic, divisive content that is now dominating X."
The Growing Backlash Against X and Musk’s Vision
The rise of Bluesky is part of a broader trend of backlash against X since Elon Musk's acquisition of the platform. Under Musk’s leadership, X has shifted its focus, alienating a significant portion of its user base. In the aftermath of the US election, many have expressed concerns about the platform's increasing alignment with far-right political groups and its potential transformation into a propaganda tool for Trump and his supporters.
For example, a prominent critic of X, historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat, who had 250,000 followers on X, noted that she picked up 21,000 followers within her first day on Bluesky after moving to the platform. She shared her concerns about X's potential evolution into a far-right radicalization machine under Musk’s stewardship. Ben-Ghiat said, "After January, when X could be owned by a de facto member of the Trump administration, its functions as a Trump propaganda outlet and far-right radicalization machine could be accelerated."
This sentiment reflects the growing sense of unease among users about the political direction of X. As Musk’s political ties become clearer and his rhetoric becomes more controversial, users who once considered X a neutral platform for conversation now see it as a space increasingly hostile to their values. For many, Bluesky is emerging as the antidote to this growing disillusionment.
The Bluesky Difference: Features and User Experience
Bluesky’s rapid growth is also fueled by the platform’s unique features, which cater to users looking for a more secure and organized environment for online interactions. Bluesky’s moderation systems are designed to give users more control over their experience, with stronger tools to block or suspend problematic accounts and enforce better content moderation policies.
“The platform offers a lot of features that Twitter (now X) used to provide, but with a clearer focus on community moderation,” says Emily Liu, a spokesperson for Bluesky. “The feedback we’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive, with users appreciating the ease of blocking unwanted content, the effective moderation of harmful behavior, and the ability to curate their own feeds.”
Bluesky’s "starter packs" are another standout feature. These curated groups of users with similar interests allow for targeted conversations around niche topics, enabling users to engage in informed discussions from multiple points of view. This feature has made it easier for users to find a sense of community, echoing the early days of Twitter when social media felt more like an open, exciting frontier.
The addition of direct messaging and video compatibility has helped Bluesky stand out in a crowded social media landscape. These features have brought the platform more in line with user expectations for modern social media tools while maintaining a level of simplicity and control that makes Bluesky unique.
Political Figures and Influencers Flocking to Bluesky
Bluesky’s rise has also been buoyed by the arrival of political figures, influencers, and celebrities who are looking to escape the growing toxicity on X. In addition to Ruth Ben-Ghiat, New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently posted on Bluesky, declaring, “Good GOD it’s nice to be in a digital space with other real human beings.” The post, which garnered 27,000 likes, has helped bring greater visibility to the platform.
The endorsement of high-profile figures like Ocasio-Cortez reflects Bluesky’s growing credibility as a platform for civil discourse, free from the hate speech and misinformation that has come to dominate X. As more prominent voices join the platform, Bluesky is gaining momentum as a destination for informed, respectful conversation, which is becoming increasingly difficult to find on other platforms.
Related: The Battle for Truth: Social Media's Role in Elections and the Struggle Against Misinformation
Bluesky’s Position in the Competitive Social Media Landscape
Despite its impressive growth, Bluesky still faces stiff competition from other social media giants. Meta’s Threads, which launched earlier this year, is also vying for dominance in the social networking space. Threads has amassed a user base of 275 million monthly active users, up from 200 million in August, positioning itself as a serious competitor to Bluesky.
However, Bluesky’s appeal lies in its ability to create a community-driven, more secure environment for conversation. Unlike X, which has been increasingly tainted by polarization and political strife, Bluesky is focused on user experience, privacy, and moderation. It offers a more regulated space where users can interact without fear of harassment or exposure to extremist content.
Bluesky’s commitment to privacy and community moderation sets it apart from Meta’s platforms, which have long faced criticism for mishandling user data and perpetuating harmful content. As users grow more concerned with data privacy and content integrity, Bluesky’s more transparent and user-controlled approach positions it as a more attractive option in the social media race.
Will Bluesky Continue to Thrive?
Bluesky’s rapid rise signals a shift in social media dynamics, with many users increasingly rejecting platforms that prioritize sensationalism, polarization, and user manipulation. Bluesky’s growth is a testament to the desire for a more thoughtful, regulated online experience—a contrast to the chaos and divisiveness that has come to define platforms like X.
The question remains whether Bluesky can sustain this momentum and continue to challenge X, Threads, and other competitors. With new features, user-centric policies, and an increasing base of influencers and public figures, Bluesky is poised to continue its ascent. Whether it can maintain its appeal in a crowded market will depend on how well it adapts to the demands of its growing community while staying true to its core principles of moderation and user experience.
As Bluesky continues to grow, it is becoming clear that the platform is not just a fleeting trend—it may very well be the future of social media. With its focus on building a safer, more inclusive online space, Bluesky is setting the stage for a new era in digital communication, one that prioritizes quality over quantity and community over controversy.
