Bluesky, the decentralized social network co-founded by Twitter’s Jack Dorsey, has hit a major milestone, surpassing 10 million users. This remarkable growth comes in the wake of a Brazilian government ban on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter and now owned by Elon Musk.
To celebrate, Bluesky announced the achievement with a fun twist: users can now see their registration number among the first 10 million by clicking a celebration emoji on the home page. This feature allows users to share their unique status with friends.
Bluesky’s Boom Post-X Ban
Bluesky’s rapid rise can be directly linked to the Brazilian ban on X, which occurred after the Brazilian government imposed restrictions on the platform. Following the ban, Bluesky experienced a significant influx of users, gaining 3 million new members in just a few days. By early September, the platform’s user base had already exceeded 9 million, with more than 85% of these new users coming from Brazil.
The growth spurt in Brazil is largely due to widespread dissatisfaction with recent changes to X under Musk’s ownership. His controversial actions, including his support for Donald Trump and the spread of misleading content, have led to declining trust in the platform. For instance, Musk’s recent deletion of a tasteless ‘joke’ about a Biden/Harris assassination further eroded confidence among users.
The discontent with X has led to the departure of several high-profile users. Celebrities such as Elton John, Whoopi Goldberg, Gigi Hadid, Toni Braxton, and Jack White have all left the platform since Musk’s takeover, highlighting a broader dissatisfaction with the platform’s new direction and policies.
Bluesky’s New Features and Growth
Bluesky, which had been in an invite-only phase for almost a year, opened up to the general public in February. Since then, it has introduced several new features to enhance user experience. Recently, Bluesky began allowing video uploads and rolled out new self-moderation tools. These include controls for who can quote a post, hide replies, and mute specific words.
Despite its rapid growth, Bluesky has faced challenges, including server glitches due to the surge in activity. Nevertheless, the platform has adapted and continues to expand its user base effectively.
Bluesky vs. X and Threads
While Bluesky’s growth is impressive, it still falls short of X’s estimated 365 million active users. However, Bluesky’s increase from 1 million users a year ago to over 10 million is notable. The rise of Threads, Meta’s rival network, which has exceeded 200 million users, adds another layer of competition in the social media landscape.
Bluesky’s recent milestone was announced in both English and Portuguese, reflecting its strong Brazilian user base. The Brazilian market has played a crucial role in Bluesky’s growth, highlighting the impact of X’s suspension.
The ban on X in Brazil, enforced by the Federal Supreme Court, includes penalties for accessing the platform via VPN. The court’s investigation into X for alleged criminal activities has further complicated the platform’s situation in Brazil. Until X complies with legal requirements, the ban is expected to remain, giving Bluesky a chance to solidify its presence in the region.
Bluesky’s success amid these regulatory challenges illustrates a shift in the social media landscape, driven by user dissatisfaction with major platforms. As Bluesky continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how it navigates this evolving environment.
