Bluesky, a decentralized social app, has been gaining popularity since its open invitation in February 2024. With over 9 million users, the app has achieved impressive growth, although it still lags behind Meta’s Threads, which has 130 million monthly active users. Bluesky was conceptualized by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and was initially funded by Twitter. However, after Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, Bluesky became an independent company.
The app has a Twitter-like interface with algorithmic suggestions and community-specific moderation. Users can create a handle with a domain name, post updates with photos, and engage with others through likes, replies, and retweets. The app also features a Discover feed, which showcases trending content and suggestions for users to follow. Bluesky has also implemented direct messages (DMs), although they are limited to one-to-one conversations.
Bluesky’s goal is to remain free to users through paid services and custom domains. The company is developing the AT Protocol, an open-source framework that allows users to switch between different social networks seamlessly. Bluesky has also introduced email verification to improve account security and has rolled out custom algorithms and moderation features similar to those on X.
Despite its growth, Bluesky has faced moderation issues, with some users accusing the app of failing to protect marginalized users and moderate racist content. The app has announced several updates to its moderation policies, including the deployment of automated tooling to flag violating content. Bluesky has also launched Ozone, a tool that lets users create and run their own moderation services.
In comparison to Mastodon, Bluesky has been praised for its more intuitive interface, although it still lags behind in terms of users. Mastodon has recently simplified its sign-up flow, but the launch of federation on Bluesky will make it more similar to Mastodon, allowing users to choose which servers to join and move their accounts around at will.
Overall, Bluesky is trying to establish itself as a viable alternative to X, offering a decentralized and community-driven social networking experience. While it still has room for growth, the app’s commitment to user security, moderation, and customization makes it an attractive option for those looking for a more independent social media experience.
