Bluesky explained, difference from Twitter and why people are joining

Disgruntled users are once again migrating to Bluesky, a burgeoning social media platform that originated from the pre-Musk era of Twitter. Despite being smaller than giants like X, it's carving out a niche for those seeking a more congenial and Musk-free environment.

Bluesky, backed by ex-Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, was initially an invite-only affair until its doors swung open to the public this February. This period allowed the platform to develop moderation tools and other key features.

It bears resemblance to Musk's X with features like a "discover" feed, a chronological timeline, direct messaging, pinned posts, and "starter packs" for newbies to follow curated lists and feeds.

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Bluesky has seen its user base jump to 15 million in mid-November, a significant increase from around 13 million at October's end, as users search for fresh spaces to voice their opinions and connect. The post-election surge isn't the first time Bluesky has drawn users away from X.

Following X's ban in Brazil during August, Bluesky welcomed 2.6 million new users, with 85% hailing from Brazil. In October, half a million signed up in a single day when X hinted that blocked accounts might gain visibility into public posts.

New sign-ups on the platform, including journos, left-leaning politicians, and celebs, have been eagerly sharing memes and expressing excitement about using an ad and hate-speech-free space; many are nostalgic, comparing it to Twitter's heyday over ten years past. While Bluesky is expanding, X claimed post-election it still "dominated the global conversation on the U.S. election" with record-breaking activity.

Bluesky isn't just aiming to knock X off its perch. It has broader goals, constructing what they dub "a protocol for public conversation"—a framework that would allow various social networks to interact seamlessly, much like email or phone systems.

Right now, engagement can't cross over platforms; Twitter users and TikTokers are restricted to their respective digital turfs for interacting. Current Big Tech strategy fortifies these boundaries, which suits their ad-based revenue schemes.

Bluesky's vision goes beyond; it's pioneering a path towards this interoperability.