Bluesky has welcomed over one million new users since the US presidential election, reaching over 15 million total users. This growth is fueled by discontent with X, particularly its rise in hate speech and Musk’s political affiliations. Amid this shift, The Guardian has ceased posting on X, citing the platform’s toxic nature under Musk’s ownership. The overall trend indicates a migration towards platforms perceived as more conducive to civil discourse.
Bluesky, a micro-blogging platform initiated by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, has achieved significant growth, surpassing 15 million users since the recent United States presidential election. This surge is attributed to a marked departure of users dissatisfied with the evolving dynamics of X, owned by billionaire Elon Musk. As of September, Bluesky’s user base was approximately nine million, illustrating a noteworthy increase as individuals seek alternatives to X, particularly amid growing concerns about content moderation and the political tone of the platform. The exit from X has been amplified by discontent around Musk’s associations, particularly his relationship with President-elect Donald Trump and escalating incidents of hateful content. Notable figures, including Mark Cuban, have expressed their sentiments, with Cuban stating, “Hello Less Hateful World” upon joining Bluesky, reflecting the platform’s appeal as a more congenial social media environment. Recent declarations from The Guardian underscore this shift, as the publication announced a permanent withdrawal from X due to the platform’s association with “disturbing content” and its portrayal as a “toxic media platform” under Musk’s leadership. The Guardian articulated its decision by highlighting that, “the benefits of being on X are now outweighed by the negatives and that resources could be better used promoting our journalism elsewhere.” Bluesky has meticulously cultivated its image as a sanctuary for progressives disenchanted by X’s trajectory. In response to reports that Musk intended to view election results alongside Trump, Bluesky reaffirmed its commitment to impartiality, stating that none of its team members would grant political leaders undue influence over the platform. Despite sustaining a larger user base, X has experienced a significant user attrition wave since Musk’s acquisition in October 2022. Data from Similarweb revealed that approximately 115,000 users deactivated their X accounts following the election, marking a substantial single-day decline under Musk’s administration. This trend suggests a growing trend among users gravitating towards platforms perceived as more aligned with their social and political values.
The article examines the rise of Bluesky as a micro-blogging platform that has gained more than one million users following the recent US presidential election. The discussion centers around the mass exit from X, alongside the discontent and changes in the digital landscape as influenced by Elon Musk’s leadership. This shift reflects broader concerns about content moderation, social discourse, and the political affiliations of notable figures on existing platforms.
In conclusion, Bluesky’s significant user growth post-election illustrates the shifting dynamics within the social media landscape, particularly in response to the controversies surrounding X under Elon Musk. As users seek refuge from perceived toxicity and hostility, Bluesky has become an attractive alternative, promoting a less contentious and more progressive online community. This trend may signal a continued transformation in social media usage and user expectations moving forward.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
