Bluesky, a social networking platform, has experienced rapid growth following the conclusion of the US presidential election. Representatives for the company announced that the site has been adding over 1 million users daily, resulting in an increase of over 5.5 million users since the election on Nov. 5, bringing the total user count to over 21 million by Thursday.
Bluesky users have created two counters to track the site’s numbers, one by Theo Sanderson from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and another by a user named Natalie. The platform currently holds the number one spot in the US iPhone App Store’s free app section, surpassing competitors like Threads and ChatGPT. This is a significant rise from its previous ranking at 181 in October.
Despite its growth, Bluesky still has a way to go to catch up to larger social networking sites like X, which had 588 million global users in September. Many users have been drawn to Bluesky due to recent changes on X, such as the modification of the block function and updates to its terms of service.
Bluesky, similar to X (formerly known as Twitter), has attracted attention from celebrities like Mark Hamill and former X users who were dissatisfied with recent changes on the platform. The site’s design and features resemble those of X and Meta’s Threads, making it familiar to users transitioning from other social networking sites.
Bluesky stands out with its unique features, such as the ability to set your domain as your handle, automated moderation, and customizable feeds. The platform offers users the option to choose from different algorithms to curate their feed, ensuring a tailored experience. Additionally, Bluesky aims to provide a platform for creators to maintain connections with their followers even as the service evolves.
Reviews of Bluesky have been positive, with users praising its resemblance to X in terms of functionality, moderation, and reliability. As the platform continues to grow and develop, it remains a promising alternative for those seeking a social networking experience similar to X.