Everything you need to know about Bluesky

‘We think that the benefits of being on X are now outweighed by the negatives and that resources could be better used promoting our journalism elsewhere,’ the news outlet said in a public statement last week.

In so much as it offers an alternative to what has become a highly politicised and – arguably – toxic place, Bluesky represents a refuge. Adam Tinworth, a digital journalism lecturer, said of the rejection of X, ‘The alignment of Mr Musk with president-elect Trump and his use of the platform to promote the interests of president-elect Trump is obviously driving out a lot of people.’

However, the exodus from X isn’t just political, just as Bluesky’s appeal isn’t solely built on being an ‘anti-Musk’ haven, even if that narrative is convenient for some.

The platform’s early adopters are drawn to something akin to nostalgia and possibility. To them, BlueSky evokes memories of what Twitter used to be: a wild, unfiltered playground where cat memes could trend alongside political revolutions, where creativity wasn’t stifled by algorithms, and where it felt like a genuine community.

Jay Graber, Bluesky CEO:

“I think social media should be basically common infrastructure that society gets to use and evolve it as society evolves, building a more democratic form of social media to reflect a democratic society.”https://t.co/x6v5YW0WFT pic.twitter.com/cylOnKkMYV

— bluesky (@bluesky) November 20, 2024

In that sense, Bluesky’s rapid growth is about preserving a sense of connection. But sceptics are quick to point out its flaws.

A major question befalling the app is how it plans to make money. Bluesky has already made clear it doesn’t want to rely on income from advertising like Twitter did in its heyday, and instead plans to rely on paid services, such as having people pay for custom domains in their username.

But if it is to continue avoiding advertising, Bluesky may inevitably have to look into broader options like paid subscriptions.

The platform is still in its formative stage and grapples with scalability, content moderation, and governance challenges. A large influx of users brings both vibrancy and chaos. Can BlueSky maintain its core ethos as it grows, or will it be stretched and corrupted by the same forces that overwhelmed its predecessor?

Regardless, it’s evident that people are tired of corporate experiments masquerading as social spaces.

If BlueSky can hold its course, it might become more than just another platform – perhaps a reminder that in the ever-shifting world of social media, there is always room for reinvention, rebellion, and a bit of hope.