Elon Musk’s social media platform X is facing a growing exodus, with millions of users flocking to Bluesky, a platform emphasising moderation and transparency. Even Google appears to place more trust in Bluesky, signalling a potential shift in the social media landscape.
A Surge of Users Leave X
High-profile figures such as actress Jamie Lee Curtis and The Guardian have joined the wave of departures from X. Bluesky, founded in 2019 by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, reported a surge of one million new users in a single day this week.
Social media expert Adam Tinworth attributes the exodus to Musk’s alignment with Donald Trump and a perceived decline in user experience. “The algorithm has been retuned, and the platform no longer feels the same,” Tinworth explains.
Wow. I had no idea on BlueSky you can enable external media so you can watch YouTube videos on this platform. It overcomes the problem of only being able to upload 60 seconds of video here. It’s gets better & better
— Peter Stefanovic (@peterstefanovic.bsky.social) 14 November 2024 at 08:47
The Fallout of Musk’s Leadership
When Musk acquired Twitter in 2022, he cut 80% of its workforce, a decision Tinworth believes undermined trust and safety measures. Issues like lax content moderation and unchecked bots have driven users away.
Google’s trust in X has also waned, according to Jason Barnard, CEO of Kalicube. Despite X’s long-standing partnership with Google, the search engine now treats Bluesky as “10 times more important” for factual information.
The Rise of Bluesky
Bluesky, though smaller in user base, has gained traction among disenchanted X users. Even Vivian Jenna Wilson, Musk’s daughter, has been indirectly linked to Bluesky’s growing credibility.
Barnard suggests that as more people migrate to Bluesky, its influence will increase on major platforms like Google and AI models such as ChatGPT.
And also, weirdly, by moving on from Twitter/X… …it feels like the deadweight of years is being left behind. Dumped. We’ve evolved. It was always about community – always about us. Together. And here we are. 🦋
— Mike Galsworthy (@mikegalsworthy.bsky.social) 15 November 2024 at 20:30
[image or embed]
A Fractured Social Media Landscape
The migration away from X reflects broader fragmentation in social media. Platforms like Mastodon, Threads, LinkedIn, and Discord now cater to specific communities, splintering what was once a centralised online space.
Tinworth warns of the risks: “If these communities form along ideological lines, we could see deeper political divisiveness.”
The Political Shift on X
Dr Steven Buckley, an expert on social media and politics, notes that X is becoming more of a right-wing echo chamber. As left-leaning users migrate to platforms like Bluesky, X retains a smaller but more homogenous audience.
“X’s influence on elections and political opinions remains significant but indirect,” Buckley explains. Politicians and journalists who remain on X continue to shape mainstream narratives, amplifying its impact despite its shrinking user base.
Could Bluesky Replace X?
Bluesky’s success depends on achieving critical mass. “The value of social networks lies in their number of users,” Tinworth says. With growing waves of new members, Bluesky may be on track to reach sustainability.
While it’s too soon to predict whether Bluesky can dethrone X, the platform’s rapid rise signals a shift in user preferences and priorities.
You may also like: Prince William gets a royal booing in Belfast
