Bluesky has gained over one million users since the U.S. presidential election, reaching 15 million total, as users depart X due to dissatisfaction with its management under Elon Musk. The platform positions itself as a haven for those disillusioned by the prior management, particularly in the wake of political turbulence. Major outlets like The Guardian have begun distancing themselves from X, citing concerns about its content quality.
In the wake of the recent U.S. presidential election, the micro-blogging platform Bluesky has experienced a significant surge in user registrations, adding over one million new users. This increase brings its total user count to approximately 15 million, up from nine million earlier in September. The rise in subscriptions appears to be partially attributed to a notable dissatisfaction among users of X, formerly Twitter, following its controversial management under billionaire Elon Musk, which some perceive as increasingly hostile and sensationalist. Bluesky, which was founded by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in 2019, has positioned itself as a preferred alternative for users disillusioned with the political biases and content moderation policies of X, particularly since Musk’s acquisition of the platform. Users have cited issues such as Musk’s affiliations with controversial political figures and a surge in offensive content as motivations for their transition to Bluesky. Some prominent users, including billionaire Mark Cuban, have explicitly expressed their desire for a more positive online environment, aligning with Bluesky’s image as a haven for more progressive social media engagement. In a notable reaction to the implications of Musk’s ownership of X, The Guardian announced its decision to cease posting content on the platform, criticizing it as a “toxic media platform” and highlighting the rampant presence of misinformation and hate speech. The publication’s statement underscores the growing concerns regarding X’s influence on public discourse and the degradation of its content moderation protocols under Musk’s leadership. While Bluesky celebrates its growth in user base, it is essential to recognize that X still has a larger audience, maintaining its status as a dominant player in the social media landscape. Notably, following the election, Similarweb reported that approximately 115,000 U.S.-based users deactivated their X accounts on a single day, marking a significant exodus from the platform.
The transformation of social media dynamics has been notably influenced by the ownership of various platforms, particularly with Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, now referred to as X. Under Musk’s management, many users have expressed their discontent with the platform’s evolving policies, user engagement strategies, and content moderation practices. This dissatisfaction has led to a shift as users are gravitating towards Bluesky, an emergent platform that promises a more liberal and moderated online experience. Founded by Jack Dorsey, Bluesky aims to cater to users seeking a different social media atmosphere, particularly in the context of recent political events.
The reported increase in Bluesky’s user base following the U.S. election highlights a significant trend in social media usage, with users seeking alternatives amid dissatisfaction with X’s management. The actions taken by both users and major publications signal a critical reassessment of content platforms in light of recent political climates. As the landscape evolves, it will be interesting to observe how these shifts influence future user engagement strategies across social media.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
