Bluesky, the decentralized social media platform, has quickly risen to prominence, surpassing 20 million users just three months after it had around 7 million. This impressive growth highlights its increasing popularity in the competitive social media landscape.
The platform’s user base has surged rapidly, with Bluesky registering up to one million new users in just 24 hours on some days. In comparison, Meta’s Threads app, which reached 275 million monthly active users earlier this month, has been experiencing a similar daily sign-up rate for nearly three months, according to Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram. However, Bluesky remains smaller than platforms like Threads and X.
Bluesky’s rise is also evident in its app store rankings. It has consistently held the top position in both Apple’s App Store and Google Play, leading the App Store for six straight days and securing the top spot for non-gaming apps on Google Play for four days. In contrast, Threads currently ranks second in the App Store.
The platform’s commitment to privacy and user-focused policies may also be fueling its growth. Bluesky has pledged not to use user content for training generative AI models, a practice allowed by X. Additionally, CEO Jay Graber has stated that Bluesky will remain ad-free, setting it apart from Threads, which plans to introduce ads in January 2024.
Bluesky’s rapid growth has been partly driven by dissatisfaction with X, formerly known as Twitter. After the U.S. presidential election on November 7, Bluesky saw a significant spike in traffic, as many X users sought alternatives or deactivated their accounts.
With its decentralized structure and user-first approach, Bluesky is carving out a unique space in the social media world, attracting more users in search of a different kind of platform.