Bluesky, the decentralized social media platform, has rapidly expanded its user base, reaching over 20 million users just three months after reporting 7 million. This growth showcases a significant rise in popularity, with the platform tripling its users in this period.
Bluesky added 5 million users in less than a week, nearly tripling from 15 million the previous week. This fast-paced growth includes days with up to one million new users within 24 hours. By comparison, Meta’s Threads app, boasting 275 million monthly active users, has maintained a similar daily sign-up rate for three months as Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram. However, Bluesky is still smaller than established platforms like Threads and X.
Bluesky has also seen success in app rankings, securing the top position in Apple’s App Store for six days and leading Google Play’s non-gaming apps for four days. In contrast, Threads ranks second in the App Store.
Read: Million of X’s Users Flock to Bluesky After Trump’s Win
This surge in Bluesky’s popularity follows dissatisfaction with X, formerly Twitter. Particularly after the U.S. presidential election on November 7, many X users started seeking alternatives, boosting Bluesky’s traffic.
Bluesky’s privacy-focused policies and commitment not to utilize user content for training generative AI models—a practice allowed by X—contribute to its appeal. Moreover, CEO Jay Graber has highlighted that Bluesky aims to avoid intrusive advertising, setting it apart from Threads, which will introduce ads in January 2024.
Bluesky’s rapid growth, decentralized nature, and user-centric approach distinguish it within the competitive social media landscape, attracting users seeking alternatives to dominant platforms like X and Threads.