Bluesky, a relatively new social networking app, soared to the number one position on Apple’s App Store on Thursday, surpassing Meta’s Threads. This surge came in the wake of Elon Musk’s controversial endorsement of Donald Trump in the presidential election, prompting many users to seek alternatives to Musk’s platform, X (formerly Twitter).
According to Sensor Tower, a market research firm, Bluesky saw a 62% increase in daily active users during the week following the election. The platform added 1 million users in just seven days, bringing its total user base to 15 million by Wednesday. By Thursday afternoon, that number had climbed to over 16 million, though it still remains small compared to X’s 250 million daily users globally.
Musk’s Controversial Influence on the Election
Musk’s outspoken support for Donald Trump played a significant role in the Republican candidate’s bid for the presidency. Through his vocal backing on X and a hefty financial commitment of over $100 million via his America PAC, Musk helped Trump gain traction in key swing states like Pennsylvania.
However, Musk’s actions alienated many users, sparking a shift away from X. Prominent figures like Nicolle Wallace, MSNBC’s political analyst, announced their departure, explaining that they could no longer align with the platform’s direction. Wallace shared, “As a human, I deleted Twitter today as an act of self-preservation.”
Threads Also Gains Traction
While Bluesky leads in popularity, Meta’s Threads is also gaining momentum. Following the election, Threads saw a 6.8% growth in its U.S. user base, bringing daily active users to 11 million. Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, revealed that Threads had received over 15 million new sign-ups in November alone, pushing its total monthly active users to nearly 275 million.
This shift to new platforms has been notably driven by media personalities such as Don Lemon, who, after announcing his departure from X, encouraged his followers to join him on Bluesky.
X Faces Growing Competition
Despite the rise of Bluesky and Threads, X is not experiencing a massive exodus. Instead, the platform seems to be replacing the users who leave with new ones. Data from Sensor Tower shows that X’s daily active users in the U.S. increased by 5% after the election, reaching 25 million.
Elon Musk himself emphasized X’s resilience, stating that usage was at an all-time high. While some users may be disgruntled with the platform’s political shift and new direction, others are still drawn to its features or Musk’s influence.
Bluesky’s Appeal: A Growing Alternative
Bluesky’s rise highlights a shift in social media dynamics, with many users now looking for platforms that reflect their values. Bluesky has carved out a niche for itself, particularly among users dissatisfied with X’s direction under Musk’s leadership, including its political leanings and controversial policy changes.
Though still far smaller than X or even Threads, Bluesky’s rapid growth signals the platform’s appeal to an audience eager for a change. With 16 million users, it’s clear that Bluesky is striking a chord with people seeking something different.
Should You Join Bluesky?
As the social media landscape shifts in the wake of the election, many users are weighing whether to leave X in favor of alternatives like Bluesky or Threads.
Bluesky offers a fresh, user-driven experience, but with its smaller user base, it may not yet provide the same features and global reach as X. Threads, backed by Meta, is growing quickly and offers a more established infrastructure. X, for its part, continues to grow and attract new users despite some backlash.
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