Bluesky, the decentralized social media platform, is riding high on a wave of popularity, having recently exceeded 20 million users—a remarkable leap from just 7 million users reported merely three months prior. This explosive growth, which includes adding 5 million users almost overnight, highlights the platform's increasing appeal among those seeking alternatives to more established social media options.
Just to give you a sense of how fast this growth is: Bluesky has experienced days where more than one million new users joined within 24 hours. To put this achievement in perspective, Meta’s Threads, which boasts around 275 million monthly active users, has maintained its own significant daily sign-up rates—notably, less dramatic than Bluesky’s recent surge.
Bluesky’s success doesn’t stop at user numbers. The app has also captured the top spot on Apple’s App Store for multiple days and led Google Play’s non-gaming app rankings as well. Threads, on the other hand, recently claimed second place on the App Store, illustrating Bluesky’s competitive edge.
The surge of users can largely be attributed to growing disenchantment with X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. After the U.S. presidential election results were announced on November 7, many users from X began to flock to Bluesky. This shift can be seen as a search for alternatives to the often tumultuous environment of X, which has undergone significant changes since Elon Musk took over.
Jay Graber, Bluesky's CEO, expressed gratitude for the influx of new users, stating on social media, "We are so grateful to welcome all 20M of you to Bluesky!!!" This marks not just important growth but also hints at the user-centric approach the platform aims to maintain.
But aside from the rapid growth and adopted features, Bluesky’s commitment to privacy sets it apart from its competitors. Graber has stressed the platform's mission is rooted in creating decentralized social media—something he believes should evolve as society does. This philosophy includes avoiding invasive advertising, which Threads plans to implement by January 2024.
What’s more, Bluesky has adopted policies aimed at protecting user content, asserting they will not leverage user-generated data to train generative AI models, something X has permitted. This commitment to data privacy is likely another factor contributing to the increasing user base.
Of course, every growth story has its hiccups, and Bluesky is no exception. Users have recently reported facing issues with “invalid handle” alerts displaying beneath their usernames, causing confusion and frustration. Many took to social media to express their bewilderment, with one user quipping, "I never changed my handle and still get the invalid handle error lol!" Another user remarked, "The 'Invalid handle' strikes again!"
This technical complication is reportedly tied to upgrades within the platform's infrastructure. To resolve the issue, Bluesky has provided instructions for users needing to re-verify their accounts. This can be done through the settings menu by changing their handle and verifying the dedicated DNS record. Should problems persist, users are advised to file support tickets to seek assistance from the Bluesky team.
Despite these minor setbacks, Bluesky’s appeal continues to grow, evidenced by its roster of high-profile users, including celebrities like Lizzo, Mark Hamill, Barbara Streisand, and Stephen King. The influx of status and celebrity endorsements enriches the platform’s allure, drawing more users who want to engage with the same figures they admire.
Overall, the story of Bluesky is one of overwhelming growth amid intense competition and technical challenges. With its privacy-first approach and commitment to decentralized social media, it stands as a formidable contender against long-standing giants like X and Threads. The future of Bluesky appears promising, and as it continues innovatively to evolve, users will likely witness changes reflecting their needs and preferences.
Bluesky’s remarkable sprint to 20 million users shows not just how rapidly social media landscapes can shift but also reflects underlying trends—discontent with existing platforms and desires for spaces prioritizing user privacy and decentralized governance. It may well be the platform's philosophy of collective evolution, intertwined with savvy user engagement, that's driving this momentum. For now, Bluesky is riding high, but how it navigates the challenges of growth remains to be seen.
