Bluesky, a social media platform launched by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, has gained significant attention following a wave of celebrity and journalist departures from X (formerly Twitter).
The shift comes amidst criticisms of X for its alleged rise in far-right content, hate speech, racism, harassment, and crypto scams. In contrast, Bluesky has emerged as a prominent alternative, attracting users who seek a more controlled and decentralised social media experience.
Functionally similar to X, Bluesky allows users to post, reply, and message others. However, its distinguishing feature is its decentralised structure, giving users greater control over their data and interactions. Unlike X, which operates under a centralised system, Bluesky empowers users to customise how they view and engage with content.
Initially launched in 2019 as a Twitter project, Bluesky became an independent company in 2021, with Jay Graber as its CEO. The platform’s user base has seen rapid growth, expanding to approximately 16.7 million users as of November 2024, up from 9 million in September.
Hollywood celebrities such as James Gunn, John Cusack, Ben Stiller, Kumail Nanjiani, Dionne Warwick, and others have joined the platform. Although notable figures like Matt Reeves, Edgar Wright, Christopher Miller, and Ryan Reynolds maintain active accounts, their activity on Bluesky has been limited recently.
As Elon Musk’s X faces criticism and a mass exodus, Bluesky’s emphasis on decentralisation and user autonomy has positioned it as a viable alternative for those seeking a different kind of social media experience.
