New Social Media Platform Bluesky
Since the election, Bluesky, a social media platform reminiscent of Elon Musk’s X, has seen a surge in popularity, attracting over 700,000 new users.
In a surprising turn of events, Bluesky, a social network, has surged in popularity since the US presidential election. On Thursday, it outperformed popular apps like Threads and ChatGPT to claim the top spot on the US App Store’s free app section. This rapid ascent is a significant contrast to its previous ranking of No. 181 in early October, as reported by TechCrunch.
Bluesky’s user base has experienced significant growth, primarily from North America and the UK, reaching 14.5 million users. This surge coincides with the recent presidential election. Many of these new users, who joined from a platform previously owned by Elon Musk, are utilizing Bluesky to express their views on the political landscape.
Bluesky, a relatively new social media platform, shares several similarities with X (formerly Twitter). Both platforms are designed for users to share text-based posts, images, and videos. However, Bluesky differentiates itself through its decentralized nature, which means it isn’t controlled by a single entity. This decentralized approach aims to make the platform more resilient to censorship and platform manipulation.
X, under the ownership of billionaire Elon Musk, underwent significant changes, including new features, policy modifications, and a shift in its overall direction. These changes, coupled with certain controversial decisions, led some users to seek alternative platforms like Bluesky.
To join Bluesky, which was initially invite-only but is now open to all, follow these simple steps:
- Visit the main Bluesky page.
- Create an account by providing your email address and phone number for verification.
- Choose a unique username and password.
- Download the Bluesky app or access it from your desktop.
Bluesky offers a user-friendly experience for those familiar with X. Its vertical feed, user avatars, and interaction icons create a familiar interface. This similarity to X and Meta’s Threads, the current top free app, ensures a smooth transition for users.
There’s a strong Twitter connection to Bluesky. Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, who initiated the project in 2019, was also a board member. Today, Jay Graber serves as Bluesky’s CEO.
The name “Bluesky” carries a symbolic meaning tied to Twitter’s heritage. It represents the concept of a bird soaring freely in an open sky, a metaphor for the platform’s aspirations. Jack Dorsey, the former Twitter CEO and a former Bluesky board member, initiated the project in 2019.
Even though the site’s name is stylized as “Bluesky” (without capitalizing the “S”), it’s pronounced as “blue sky.” So, remember to pronounce it correctly and avoid any rhyming mishaps with “brewski.”
One key difference is the ability to set a custom domain as your handle. This feature can aid in verification, a topic that gained significant attention on X (formerly Twitter) when Elon Musk began removing verified checkmarks from accounts that declined to pay a monthly fee.
This focus on user control extends to verification, a recently contentious issue on X (formerly Twitter). Bluesky allows users to set their domain name as their handle. For instance, a news organization like NPR could use “@npr.org” as their handle.
Verification within their network could then be achieved by allowing journalists to establish subdomains like “@name.npr.org.” This empowers organizations to build trust and transparency within their own communities, bypassing the centralized verification systems seen on traditional platforms.
