Can Bluesky Become the Next Big Thing in Social Media?

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Since Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter (now X), many users have sought alternatives due to the platform’s controversial direction. Bluesky, founded by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, has emerged as a leading contender. It offers a decentralized, user-focused alternative that harkens back to the simplicity of early Twitter. However, while many users have migrated to Bluesky, it has yet to fully replace X for several reasons, both technical and cultural.

Why Users Are Fleeing X

One of the driving forces behind the mass migration to Bluesky and other platforms is Musk’s claim to be a “free speech absolutist.” This has not played out as many users expected. Instead of fostering an open environment, Musk’s changes have made X a haven for far-right rhetoric and Russian propaganda. Key changes include:

  1. Restoration of Suspended Accounts: Musk reinstated numerous accounts that had been banned for spreading hate speech or disinformation.
  2. Elimination of Trust and Safety Councils: These councils had been responsible for moderating harmful content, and their removal opened the platform to more abuse and harassment.
  3. De-emphasis on Content Moderation: Musk’s reduced focus on content moderation allowed disinformation, particularly from Russia, to spread more freely.
  4. Algorithm Tweaks: The platform’s algorithm began promoting content from far-right influencers, further alienating moderate users.

The latest change, Musk’s decision to restrict the block feature except for direct messages, has fueled more frustration. Blocking is a vital tool for many users to manage harassment and curate their experience, and its removal has pushed many to seek alternatives where they feel safer and in control of their social interactions.

Why Bluesky Appeals to Former X Users

Bluesky has positioned itself as a refreshing alternative with several key features:

  • Decentralization: Built on the AT protocol, Bluesky is decentralized, meaning users can run their own instances and have more control over moderation and content curation, unlike X’s centralized system.
  • Custom Feeds: Unlike X’s opaque algorithm, Bluesky allows users to customize their feeds based on specific interests, creating more transparency and user agency.
  • Moderation Tools: Bluesky’s moderation system allows users to filter out unwanted content, making the platform safer and more user-friendly.

Why Bluesky Hasn’t Taken Over Yet

Despite its promise, Bluesky hasn’t fully replaced X for a few reasons:

  1. Scale: As of October 2024, Bluesky has about three million users, a small fraction compared to X’s user base of hundreds of millions. Growth is ongoing but gradual.
  2. Infrastructure: During its early stages, Bluesky used an invite-only system to manage growth and ensure infrastructure stability. While this has recently been lifted, allowing open registration, the controlled growth slowed its ability to compete at X’s scale.
  3. Feature Parity: While Bluesky is catching up, it still lacks some advanced features that larger platforms like X offer. For example, it is still working on federation, which would allow greater connectivity between different instances, and composable moderation services, which could significantly enhance its moderation flexibility.

Upcoming Features for Bluesky

Bluesky is actively working on rolling out new features that could attract more users:

  • Federation: This would allow users to join different servers or instances, fostering an even more decentralized and community-driven experience.
  • Composable Moderation Services: This feature will enable a more flexible approach to content moderation, potentially giving users and server admins more control over how they handle harmful content.

A Feature Comparison: Bluesky vs. X

FeatureBlueskyX (formerly Twitter)
DecentralizationYes, built on the AT protocolNo, centralized
Custom FeedsYes, based on user interestNo, algorithm-based feed
Block FunctionalityFull block functionality intactBlock function limited
ModerationUser-controlled, with more tools comingAlgorithmic, less transparent
User Base12 million+ (Growing fast)Hundreds of millions

Will Bluesky Replace X?

Bluesky offers a promising alternative for users disillusioned by Musk’s handling of X, especially those seeking more control, transparency, and safety. Its decentralized structure, user-friendly moderation tools, and upcoming features like federation make it an appealing platform. However, to fully replace X, Bluesky will need to scale up significantly and continue developing advanced features that can compete with the broader functionality of larger platforms.

For Bluesky to grow more quickly and potentially replace X, users need to actively participate by creating and sharing content. Just as X built its influence through user engagement, Bluesky’s success depends on users posting, interacting, and inviting others to join. By getting involved in conversations, contributing to discussions, and building their communities, users can help propel Bluesky forward and make it a more competitive alternative to X. In this way, they become part of the platform’s evolution, accelerating its growth and adoption. In that respect, to many users, BlueSky could actually be a clear blue sky.

You can reach The War Monitor on BlueSky at thewarmonitor.bsky.social

Sources: Independent, Geek Metaverse News, Euronews.

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