Bluesky, the social media platform that’s gained attention for its liberal-leaning user base, has faced technical difficulties as it saw an unprecedented spike in sign-ups.
The site went into read-only mode temporarily after two million new users flooded the platform in the wake of Twitter’s transformation under Elon Musk’s ownership.
While the developers acknowledged the potential for issues, they didn’t directly blame the influx of users for the site’s instability.
Technical Woes Amid Rapid Growth
Bluesky’s developers, including Samuel Newman and Paul Frazee, warned users to expect hiccups.
Newman stated that the site was temporarily in “read-only mode” because “something fell over,” and once restored, it still performed slowly.
Frazee took a lighthearted approach, suggesting that users take a break with a soda and a pet, as the team worked to fix the issues.
Despite these setbacks, the platform’s surge in popularity continued, particularly after Trump’s announcement about Musk joining his cabinet.
A Twitter Exodus Sparks Bluesky’s Rise
The massive surge in new users came after Donald Trump appointed Elon Musk as co-head of the Department of Government Efficiency.
This political shake-up led to a significant number of Twitter users, particularly from the left, flocking to Bluesky.
Since Trump’s announcement on November 6, the platform has gained over 2 million new sign-ups, doubling its active user base.
Meanwhile, Twitter, now known as X, saw an increase in visitors but also experienced a record number of American users deactivating their accounts—115,000 in just one day.
The Battle of the Platforms: Bluesky vs. Threads
Bluesky’s visual resemblance to Twitter—complete with its blue butterfly logo—has positioned it as a major contender in the social media space.
Created by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey in 2019, Bluesky had been growing steadily, but the political shifts at Twitter have accelerated its rise.
However, Meta’s Threads, another competitor, continues to outpace Bluesky with a staggering 15 million new accounts this month alone.
While both Bluesky and Threads are popular among liberal users, they differ in scale, with Threads dominating by a wide margin.
Twitter’s Shifting Landscape
Since Musk’s acquisition, Twitter, now X, has seen a shift toward right-wing ideologies, driving many left-leaning users to seek alternatives like Bluesky and Threads.
This exodus includes notable figures like singer Lizzo, who humorously referred to the switch as “the great migration.”
The Guardian also announced it would no longer post on Twitter, citing Musk’s political influence and the platform’s growing prevalence of far-right content.
Bluesky Climbs the App Rankings
Despite the technical glitches, Bluesky’s rise has been swift.
It reached the top spot in the iPhone App Store ahead of Threads, ChatGPT, and even Google, signaling that it’s become a prominent player in the social media scene.
Meanwhile, X has struggled to maintain its standing, falling to 25th place in the free app rankings, trailing behind major apps like Facebook, YouTube, and McDonald’s.
What’s Next for Bluesky and X?
Bluesky’s explosive growth, fueled by discontent with Musk’s Twitter, raises questions about the future of social media platforms.
With its increasing user base and ties to political shifts, Bluesky may continue to carve out a niche as a liberal-leaning alternative.
However, its ongoing technical issues may become a barrier to sustained success if not addressed.
On the other hand, X faces an uphill battle as it grapples with its ideological shift and the departure of users seeking a different experience.
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