Exploring Bluesky: The Emerging Twitter Alternative
As Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, now rebranded as X, prompted users to explore other social media platforms, Bluesky has risen as a notable contender. While alternatives like Mastodon, Post, and Spill have emerged, only Meta’s Threads has matched the rapid growth of Bluesky.
Recently opening to the public after almost a year of being invite-only, Bluesky is quickly gaining traction, attracting nearly 800,000 new users within a day and approaching 4 million total signups.
What is Bluesky?
Bluesky is a decentralized social media app envisioned by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. The platform mimics Twitter’s user interface but introduces algorithmic choice, a federated design, and community-specific moderation.
Bluesky operates on the AT Protocol, an open-source framework developed internally, ensuring transparency and encouraging external contributions.
Initially announced by Dorsey in 2019, the project aimed to create a decentralized social media standard that Twitter would eventually adopt. However, following Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, Bluesky has operated independently since late 2022, with Dorsey using the platform to express his dissatisfaction with Musk’s leadership.
Getting Started on Bluesky
When signing up, users create a handle (@username.bsky.social) and a display name. Users can also use their own domain as a username. The app allows posts up to 256 characters, including photos.
These posts can be replied to, reposted, liked, and reported. The platform features a “Home” timeline for following updates and a “Discover” feed for trending content and suggestions.
Key Features and Customization
Bluesky emphasizes user customization and algorithmic diversity:
– **Custom Feeds:** Users can subscribe to multiple algorithms showcasing different types of content, which can be pinned as tabs at the top of their timeline.
Customizable Profiles: Profiles feature tags called “stars” that highlight users’ interests, making them discoverable to others.
Community Moderation: Bluesky offers robust moderation tools and allows users to create independent moderation services through a tool called Ozone.
Prominent Users and Content
Bluesky has attracted notable figures like Neil Gaiman, Dril, and Chelsea Manning, as well as news organizations such as Bloomberg and The Washington Post. With its recent public launch, more high-profile users are expected to join.
Differences from Twitter and Mastodon
While Bluesky shares some similarities with Twitter, it lacks certain features like direct messaging and lists. Unlike Twitter, Bluesky operates on a decentralized protocol similar to Mastodon’s ActivityPub. However, Bluesky aims for a more user-friendly experience, avoiding the complexity of Mastodon’s instance selection process.
Security and Moderation
Bluesky is committed to user security, recently adding email verification and improving account authentication. The platform also tackles misinformation by flagging misleading links and has rolled out advanced moderation tools to enforce community guidelines.
Funding and Future Prospects
Bluesky aims to sustain itself without relying on advertising, offering paid services like custom domains for user handles. In July 2023, the company announced additional seed funding and plans for paid services. The app is free to download on iOS and Android and is accessible on the web.
Bluesky represents a significant shift in social media, blending familiar aspects of Twitter with the benefits of decentralization and user control. As it continues to evolve and attract new users, it has the potential to become a leading platform in the social media landscape.
