Bluesky, the decentralized social media platform, has crossed a major milestone, surpassing 20 million users just three months after its user base was around 7 million.
This surge in growth highlights Bluesky’s remarkable momentum, with the platform having added 5 million users in under a week, compared to just 15 million users the week before. The app's user base has nearly tripled in the last three months, signaling its rising popularity in the competitive social media space.
The increase in users has been notably rapid, with Bluesky registering days where it gained up to one million new users in just 24 hours. In comparison, Meta’s Threads app, which reached 275 million monthly active users earlier this month, has been seeing a similar daily sign-up rate for nearly three months, according to Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram. Despite the gains, Bluesky still remains significantly smaller than platforms like Threads and X.
Bluesky's position in the app rankings is further evidence of its popularity. The platform has dominated the top spots in both Apple’s App Store and Google Play, holding the number one position in the App Store for six consecutive days and securing the top spot for non-gaming apps on Google Play for four days. In contrast, Threads currently ranks second in the App Store.
The surge in Bluesky’s user base has been partly attributed to dissatisfaction with X, formerly known as Twitter. On November 7, Bluesky experienced a notable spike in traffic, the day after the U.S. presidential election, as many users of X sought alternatives or deactivated their accounts in response to dissatisfaction with the platform.
Bluesky’s commitment to privacy and user-focused policies may also be fueling its rise. The platform has emphasized its pledge not to use user content for training generative AI models, a practice that X permits. Additionally, Bluesky's CEO, Jay Graber, has made it clear that the platform intends to remain free of intrusive ads, distinguishing itself from Threads, which plans to introduce advertising in January 2024.
As Bluesky continues to gain traction, its decentralized structure and user-first approach are carving out a unique space in the social media landscape, attracting users looking for alternatives to the dominant platforms like X and Threads.
