Bluesky – Social Media as it Should be?

After a year of being invite-only, Bluesky has opened its doors to the masses, but does this little fish really stand a chance against the likes of X?

Bluesky is changing the game of social media, doing away with pesky algorithms and endless ads to create a fun and creative environment for users to enjoy. Despite initially launching as an invite-only platform, Bluesky can now be accessed by anyone at its website bksp.app or mobile app.

Created by Jay Graber in 2021, Bluesky diverges significantly from other platforms, especially in its commitment to user control. Unlike X, Facebook and Instagram, Bluesky’s main feed only contains posts from users you have chosen to follow, eliminating the clutter of irritating algorithmically curated content. This means that when you first enter Bluesky, it seems eerily quiet, but this is a deliberate departure from the overwhelming nature of many existing social media platforms.

The appetite for a fresh social media platform is evident; Bluesky saw an impressive surge in sign-ups in the first two days, surpassing a million users. With its striking blue butterfly logo, reminiscent of Twitter’s iconic bird, Bluesky evokes a sense of nostalgia for the Pre-Musk Twitter. 

As X’s decline continues, disillusioned users are looking to alternative platforms that seem to promise a kinder, more inclusive experience. The exodus from X reflects a growing demand for online spaces that foster positive interactions and reduce the toxicity prevalent on many established platforms. Could Bluesky fulfil its promise of being ‘social media as it should be’?

It offers a host of moderation tools, and users can voluntarily opt in or out of content such as nudity, violence and hate speech. This aims to give users greater control over their online interactions and prevent feeds from becoming overly political or argumentative. 

The user-centric approach and emphasis on user control sets Bluesky apart from competitors like X and the fully decentralised platform Mastodon. But Bluesky is not without its limitations. Direct messaging is not yet available on the platform, and there are some privacy concerns, especially because users can’t lock their accounts as private. 

Overall, Bluesky seems very promising. With it’s user-friendly interface, ad-free environment, and commitment to user control, it offers a breath of fresh air for those seeking a more authentic and enjoyable online experience. As it continues to evolve, Bluesky has the potential to carve out its own niche and expand its current small but hardcore following. 

The emergence of new social media platforms represents an opportunity for businesses to expand their social media marketing and reach a wider audience. To find out more about how to maximise your social media marketing, get in touch the Puddle team.