For years, social media felt like a monopoly of five major platforms: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, and X (formerly Twitter). However, the political climate and platform policies have caused significant shifts in digital allegiances. Enter Bluesky, a rising star in the social media landscape, presenting itself as an alternative for those seeking refuge from X’s recent controversies.
A Post-Election Shift in Social Media Dynamics
The 2024 U.S. Presidential election, one of the most contentious in history, saw Donald Trump reclaim the White House for a second term. This political shift amplified an existing divide within the online world. Elon Musk’s highly publicized support for Trump and a series of policy changes on X alienated a significant portion of the platform’s user base, particularly liberal-leaning individuals. Bluesky has emerged as the digital sanctuary for many of them.
But Bluesky isn’t just a reaction to politics—it’s the product of a vision that predates these events.
What is Bluesky?
Bluesky isn’t a new player in the tech space. It began as a research initiative in 2019, led by none other than Twitter co-founder and former CEO Jack Dorsey. While initially tied to Twitter, Bluesky was spun off as an independent entity in 2022, during Musk’s acquisition of Twitter. By February 2023, Bluesky launched as an invite-only beta. Its public release followed in February 2024, under the leadership of CEO Jay Graber.
Despite its relatively smaller scale, Bluesky has seen a meteoric rise. Post-election, its daily active user base surged by 75%, climbing to over 19 million users. The platform’s similarities to X—both in interface and functionality—make it an easy transition for users. Familiar features like the equivalent of “retweets,” called “re-skeets,” add to its appeal.
Celebrities on BlueSky
One of Bluesky’s major attractions is its celebrity roster. From actors and directors to musicians and writers, a host of prominent figures have ditched X for Bluesky, including:
- Mark Hamill
- Stephen King
- Lizzo
- Jamie Lee Curtis
- Rian Johnson
- Ryan Reynolds
- Guillermo del Toro
- Dionne Warwick
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Barbra Streisand
- Gabrielle Union
- Quinta Brunson
- James Gunn
- Sean Gunn
- John Cusack
- Ben Stiller
- Flavor Flav
- Chuck D
- Alex Winter
- Carrie Coon
- Scott Derrickson
- George Takei
- Mike Flanagan
- Mike Shur
- Alyssa Milano
- Meredith Salenger
- Patton Oswalt
- Lilly Wachowski
- Franklin Leonard
- Tim Heidecker
- Akilah Hughes
- Yvette Nicole Brown
- Andy Richter
- Weird Al Yankovic
- Gary Whitta
- Titus Welliver
- Paul F. Tompkins
- Jon Cryer
- Ed Solomon
- Craig Mazin
- Jenni Konner
- Jeri Ryan
- Ken Jennings
- Gale Ann Hurd
- Armando Iannucci
- BenDavid Grabinski
- Marc Bernardin
- Duncan Jones
- Miranda Cosgrove
- Emily V. Gordon
- Kumail Nanjiani
- Michael Sheen
- Bill Lawrence
- Matthew Lillard
- Busy Philipps
- Colson Whitehead
- Paul Scheer
- Bradley Whitford
- Mara Wilson
- Kashana Cauley
- Megan Amram
- Brian Duffield
- Robert Kirkman
- Matt Reeves
- Edgar Wright
- Christopher Miller
- Phil Lord
- Rob Delaney
These high-profile names are helping to solidify Bluesky’s reputation as the go-to platform for a more inclusive, left-leaning digital community.
What Makes Bluesky Different?
Unlike X, Bluesky doesn’t rely on ad revenue. Instead, it emphasizes user control and autonomy. Bluesky users don’t deal with algorithmically tailored feeds; instead, they get a chronological timeline. This democratic approach to content has its downsides—fewer commercial brands have joined—but it also makes Bluesky feel less corporate and more authentic.
How to Sign Up for Bluesky
Curious about trying Bluesky? It’s easy to register:
- Visit the official Bluesky website.
- Click “Sign Up.”
- Complete the registration form, including an optional hosting provider field.
- Choose Bluesky’s default hosting, or if you’re tech-savvy, opt for your own dedicated server.
- Select your user handle and complete a CAPTCHA.
Is Bluesky the Future?
With over 19 million users and growing, Bluesky is certainly making waves. Its focus on user-driven content, chronological feeds, and a burgeoning celebrity presence might just set it apart from its rivals. Will “skeeting” become the new “tweeting”? Only time will tell.
For now, it represents more than just another social media app—it’s a statement, a movement, and perhaps the beginning of a new digital era.
