Bluesky is rapidly gaining traction, as disillusioned users leave X (formerly Twitter). Initially funded by Twitter and launched as an invite-only community, the platform is now experiencing exponential growth, particularly following Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election on November 6.
According to The Verge, as of November 13, Bluesky had over 15 million users. By November 25, that number had soared to 22.5 million, reflecting daily increases of more than 500,000 users. Recent reports suggest that the growth rate has accelerated, with up to one million users joining daily in late November.
Discontent with X’s direction, owned by tech tycoon Elon Musk, and its toxic environment has driven many users away. The Guardian announced its departure from the platform, stating, “The benefits of being on X are now outweighed by the negatives. The US election only underscored that X is a toxic platform, with its owner, Elon Musk, using its influence to shape political discourse.”
Bluesky, a small startup with only 20 full-time employees, was funded by Twitter as an invite-only platform while Jack Dorsey was CEO. The platform has attracted many academics, journalists, and left-wing politicians who left X behind.
As reported by CBC News, Charlie Angus, a Canadian MP, recently joined Bluesky and shared his experience. “I thought I would end up with ten followers and be shouting into the void. It has been a phenomenal experience. I feel like I’ve woken up sober after a month on a bender.” According to the report, despite having far fewer followers than on X, Angus quickly gained 4,700 followers in just a few days.
Bluesky’s rapid growth is also apparently drawing attention from investors. According to Axios, after raising $15 million in Series A funding, the platform is poised for even more investment as it becomes a refuge for millions of former Twitter/X users post-election. The larger user presence is demanding new servers and more staff.
