Disgruntled users of X are turning to new(ish) contender Bluesky for a less toxic timeline. Developed by former Twitter founder Jack Dorsey (who is no longer associated with the social media platform) Bluesky Social is a microblogging social media app that promises a friendlier, lighter atmosphere through customizable user-led moderation.

(Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links to external sources.)

Although still less popular than X, Bluesky has become a popular refuge for those seeking relief from unregulated content and the influence of X owner Elon Musk, CNBC reports. Musk — an internet troll and self-proclaimed First Buddy to US president-elect Donald Trump — is seemingly basing X’s moderation policies on his own right-wing politics, purging Twitter’s trust and safety staff before rebranding as X.

Following the US election results, Bluesky’s user base increased by 2 mn. The company announced that the number of users now signed up for the app increased from 13 mn to 15 mn in just a few weeks.

The platform operates largely on the same tenants of pre-Musk Twitter, offering a chronological feed, direct messaging, pinned posts, and media uploads — all without ads. They’ve also garnered attention for their commitment to user privacy, stating that they “do not use any [user] content to train generative AI, and have no intention of doing so.” This has attracted individuals from professional backgrounds who had relied on Twitter-turned-X to showcase their labor, like artists and writers, who found their work copied by genAI.

What’s the plan? While Bluesky still faces stiff competition from other platforms like Meta’sThreads, which has faster user shifts thanks to its integration with Instagram, it still serves as a promising alternative for those disillusioned with the current state of social media.

Tags: