November 12th, 2024

Bluesky adds 700k new members as users flee X after the US election

Bluesky gained 700,000 users after the US election, reaching 14.5 million, as users leave X due to misinformation concerns. The platform offers moderated features and has notable endorsements.

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Bluesky adds 700k new members as users flee X after the US election

Bluesky has gained over 700,000 new users in the week following the US election, as many individuals are leaving X (formerly Twitter) due to concerns over misinformation and far-right activism. This surge has increased Bluesky's total user base to 14.5 million, up from 9 million in September. Experts suggest that Bluesky is becoming a refuge for users seeking a more moderated social media experience, free from the issues prevalent on X, particularly after Elon Musk's association with Donald Trump's campaign. The platform, which originated as a Twitter project before becoming independent in 2022, has previously seen spikes in user numbers due to dissatisfaction with X. Recent enhancements to Bluesky, such as direct messaging and video features, aim to improve user experience and differentiate it from competitors like Threads. Users have expressed appreciation for Bluesky's community-oriented features, which facilitate informed discussions. The influx of new users has led to some growing pains as they adapt to the platform, but it has also revitalized the community, reminiscent of the early days of social media. Notable figures, including Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have publicly endorsed the platform, highlighting its appeal as a space for genuine interaction.

- Bluesky gained 700,000 users post-US election, reaching 14.5 million total users.

- Users are migrating from X due to concerns over misinformation and far-right content.

- The platform offers features aimed at creating a moderated social media experience.

- Bluesky has introduced new functionalities to enhance user engagement and community building.

- Prominent users are endorsing Bluesky as a positive alternative to X.

Link Icon 8 comments
By @Rastonbury - 3 months
They didn't think to flee earlier?
By @ChrisArchitect - 3 months
By @hetman - 3 months
I wonder why there's no standalone app for PCs.
By @evbogue - 3 months
If it was properly decentralized they wouldn't be identified as "users".
By @tyronehed - 3 months
Pick any other EV maker than Tesla.
By @minimaxir - 3 months
Discussion an hour ago (which either got flagged off the front page or triggered the flame war detector) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42112432