In the wake of the U.S. election, Bluesky reached 14.5 million users after members left X.
The world is abuzz with social media engagement. And during impactful events like elections, there is a high reliance on these channels and their updates. But all said and done, members lean toward sources providing accurate and righteous information. The surge in Bluesky members is a shining example of this trend.
(Source: CNN)
X, previously Twitter, flooded with election updates as Elon Musk joined hands with Donald Trump. Elon Musk took over Twitter in 2022 and since then, its reputation has taken a hit. Plus, showcasing his alliance with Trump on the social media platform didn’t sit well with several users. Musk rooted for Trump, taking advantage of the channel to increase support for the new U.S. president, and this seems to have further worked against X. Brazil, for instance, banned X and witnessed a rise in Bluesky sign-ups.
(Source: POCIT)
X promoted far-right activism and misinformation which caused a shift in the user pattern.
Members who chose to flee from X escaped the misleading data and found refuge in Bluesky— a channel that was initially launched as a project and funded by Twitter, but later established as an independent entity in 2022. Currently, it has an active membership from diverse users including Taylor Swift fans aka Swifties, wrestlers, and city planners.
Bluesky is now a preferred channel for many who appreciate the liberal media exposure, previously offered by Twitter. This influx predominantly poured in from the U.S. Bluesky’s popularity may continue to soar as it adds features such as direct messaging and video compatibility.
The U.S. election has been a game-changer for Bluesky, whereas X has had a downfall. The core reason behind these numbers remains to be the offensive and misleading information X entertains. While the audience appreciates interesting and eye-catching updates, misinformation and offensive posts— not so much.
