- Bluesky has experienced a surge in new users, gaining over 2 million in just four days due to the shutdown of X (formerly Twitter) in Brazil. This has catapulted Bluesky to the top of app charts and boosted downloads globally.
- The influx of users has driven a significant increase in user activity on the platform, with likes, follows, and reposts skyrocketing. Daily active users have also seen a massive increase, exceeding 2.4 million.
- Bluesky’s appeal lies in its decentralized nature, which allows users more control over content and moderation. This, combined with a familiar user interface, makes it an attractive alternative for users leaving X.
The recent shutdown of X (formerly Twitter) in Brazil has unleashed a tidal wave of new users onto the decentralized social network, Bluesky. The platform has experienced an unprecedented surge in popularity, adding over 2 million new users in just four days – a staggering figure considering it only gained half a million users in the previous week.
This explosive growth has catapulted Bluesky to the top of the app charts in Brazil, surpassing Meta’s Instagram Threads. Appfigures, a leading app intelligence firm, reports a mind-boggling 10,584% increase in Bluesky’s global downloads this weekend, with Brazilian downloads alone skyrocketing by 1,018,952%. This surge extends beyond Brazil, with a remarkable 584% increase in downloads across 22 countries that previously showed minimal engagement.
The influx of new users has not only boosted Bluesky’s download numbers but has also fueled a remarkable surge in user activity. The platform has witnessed a tenfold increase in likes, soaring from 13 million to 104.6 million in just four days. Similarly, follows and reposts have seen exponential growth, reaching 100.8 million and 11 million respectively, from 1.4 million and 1.3 million a week earlier.
Bluesky’s CEO has confirmed that the platform has seen a daily active user increase of over 100%, with the current number exceeding 2.4 million and still climbing. This remarkable growth is a testament to Bluesky’s ability to capture users seeking an alternative to the centralized control of platforms like X.
Bluesky’s appeal stems from its familiar user experience, closely resembling the platform it was once incubated within. It offers a suite of features mirroring X, including likes, reposts, quote posts, lists, direct messages, search tools, and user profiles. However, Bluesky goes beyond a simple clone, introducing exciting decentralized features like customizable feeds, third-party moderation services, and the ability to create and share “starter packs” that recommend curated user lists.
Bluesky’s commitment to decentralization and user-controlled moderation contrasts sharply with Threads’ approach. Threads prioritizes a brand-friendly environment, focusing on influencers and content creators, while minimizing political content. In contrast, Bluesky, with its user-driven moderation and chaotic energy, offers a platform reminiscent of early Twitter, attracting those seeking a less controlled and more open space for discussion and expression.
The future of Bluesky looks incredibly bright, particularly in the wake of X’s Brazilian ban. While Meta has yet to comment on Threads’ growth due to the exodus from X, the platform’s size and established user base make it difficult to gauge the impact of this migration. However, for Bluesky, this is a watershed moment, showcasing the potential for decentralized platforms to attract users seeking control, freedom, and a sense of community. As Bluesky continues to grow and evolve, it will be fascinating to see how it shapes the future of online discourse and social interaction.
What you should know
Bluesky is a decentralized social network that’s gaining traction as a potential alternative to platforms like X (formerly Twitter). While it shares many features with X, including likes, reposts, and direct messages, Bluesky offers a unique decentralized approach. This means that instead of a single company controlling the platform, users can create their own “instances” – essentially servers that run Bluesky and connect to others over the AT Protocol. This decentralization gives users more control over their experience, allowing them to customize their feeds, choose third-party moderation services, and even create curated lists of users to follow.
Bluesky’s user interface closely resembles X, making it familiar to users migrating from that platform. However, it also includes features like video support (coming soon) and the ability to create and share “starter packs” that recommend curated user lists.
While Bluesky is still in its early stages, it has attracted a significant number of users, particularly following X’s shutdown in Brazil. Bluesky’s focus on decentralization, user control, and its familiar yet innovative features are making it a compelling option for those seeking a more open and less controlled social network experience.
