In the ever-evolving world of social media, Bluesky Social has emerged as a compelling alternative to platforms like Twitter (now X) and Threads. Launched by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, Bluesky offers a decentralized, user-focused experience that prioritizes control, transparency, and customization. This article dives into everything you need to know about Bluesky Social media, its ownership, how to create an account, safety considerations, and how it stands out as a Twitter aka X alternative.
What Is Bluesky Social App?
Bluesky Social is a decentralized microblogging platform built on the open-source AT Protocol. Launched in 2019 as a Twitter research initiative, it became an independent company in 2021 and opened to the public in February 2024 after an invite-only beta phase. By April 2025, Bluesky had amassed over 31 million users, driven by those seeking alternatives to X due to its policy changes, such as the controversial block feature update and AI training on user posts.
Bluesky’s interface mirrors early Twitter, allowing users to post short text messages (up to 256 characters), called “skeets,” along with images, videos, and GIFs. Users can follow accounts, like, repost, reply, and send direct messages (introduced in May 2024). Its key differentiator is decentralization, meaning users can host their data on independent servers, enhancing privacy and portability.
Bluesky Social Media Platform: Key Features
Bluesky’s appeal lies in its user-centric design and innovative features, making it a standout social media platform:
- Interface and Functionality: Bluesky resembles early Twitter with short text posts (“skeets”) up to 256 characters, supporting images, videos, and GIFs. Users can follow others, like, repost, reply, and use direct messages (DMs, introduced May 2024). The app offers two main feeds: a “Following” feed for accounts you follow and a “Discover” feed for trending content.
- Customization: Users can create custom feeds, mute threads, block accounts, or use moderation lists to control their timelines. Unlike X, Bluesky’s block feature prevents blocked users from viewing posts, addressing privacy concerns.
- Decentralization: The AT Protocol enables federation, meaning users can self-host data on Personal Data Servers (PDS) or move to other AT Protocol apps without losing followers or posts. This contrasts with platforms like Mastodon, where server choice impacts content visibility.
- Moderation: Bluesky uses a mix of automated filtering, manual admin actions, and community-driven labeling via an open system called Ozone. Users can report posts for categories like spam or hate speech, and the platform forbids discriminatory conduct.
- Domain-Based Verification: Users can self-verify by linking a custom domain (e.g., @yourdomain.com), bypassing traditional checkmark systems.
- Privacy and Safety: DMs are currently centralized but planned to be decentralized with end-to-end encryption. The app collects data linked to user identity, with privacy practices varying by region and usage. Bluesky doesn’t use user posts for AI training, unlike X.
Who Owns Bluesky Social?
Bluesky App is a Public Benefit Corporation led by CEO Jay Graber, who previously worked on the cryptocurrency Zcash and founded the event-planning site Happening. The company is owned by Graber and the Bluesky team, with a board including Graber, Jeremie Miller (Jabber/XMPP inventor), Mike Masnick, and Kinjal Shah.
While Jack Dorsey initiated Bluesky in 2019 and provided initial funding, he left the board in May 2024 and deleted his account, distancing himself from the project. Dorsey now supports X and Nostr, another decentralized protocol.
Bluesky Social Stock: Is It Publicly Traded?
As of April 2025, Bluesky Social is not a publicly traded company. It operates as a privately held Public Benefit Corporation, with no stock available on public exchanges. Bluesky raised $15 million in a Series A funding round in November 2024 and plans to introduce a subscription model for premium features, avoiding ad-based revenue.
User Base and Growth: By January 2025, Bluesky app had over 30 million users, up from 20 million in November 2024, driven by dissatisfaction with X’s policies (e.g., block feature changes, AI training on posts). It gained 2.5 million users in a week in November 2024, with a 500% U.S. usage spike post-2024 election, topping App Store downloads. Still, it trails Threads (275 million monthly users) and X (500 million).
Developer and Community Aspects: Bluesky’s open-source code on GitHub (MIT/Apache licenses) fosters third-party apps like Deck.blue and Skyfeed. The AT Protocol supports apps like OpenMeet, White Wind, and Streamplace. Bluesky raised $15 million in November 2024 and plans a subscription model, avoiding ads or X’s “pay-to-win” approach.
User Sentiment: Users praise Bluesky’s ad-free, bot-free vibe, reminiscent of “old Twitter,” with less toxicity than X. However, some criticize algorithm issues, irrelevant feeds, and missing features like drafts or private accounts. Conservative voices, like Parnell Palme McGuinness, call it a “progressive echo chamber.”
Safety Considerations: Rated 17+, Bluesky lacks strong age verification, so parents should monitor usage. A 2023 controversy over racial slurs in handles led to updated terms and a trust and safety team.
Challenges and Controversies: Despite its decentralized ethos, Bluesky relies on centralized services like the Decentralized Identifier namespace. In April 2025, Turkish courts ordered 44–72 account blocks, enforced via geographic moderation, though third-party clients can bypass these. Jack Dorsey left the board in May 2024, criticizing its moderation and structure.
How to Create a Bluesky Social Account
Creating a Bluesky Social account is straightforward, especially since the platform opened to the public in February 2024. Here’s a step-by-step guide to Bluesky Social signup:
- Visit the Website or Download the App:
- Go to bsky.app or download the Bluesky Social app from the Google Play Store (for Bluesky Social Android) or Apple App Store (for iOS). The app is also available on macOS (12.0+, M1 chip+) and visionOS (1.0+).
- Enter Your Details:
- Provide your email address, create a password, and enter your date of birth.
- Choose a Username:
- Select a unique handle (e.g., @username.bsky.social). Optionally, link a custom domain for verification.
- Personalize Your Experience:
- Select interests to customize your feed and explore the Following, Discover, or Popular With Friends feeds.
- Finalize Setup:
- Complete the setup and begin posting, following accounts, or joining communities.
The process is intuitive, especially for users familiar with X or Threads.
Bluesky Social Android Availability
Bluesky Social is fully available on Android and iOS devices, having launched on the platform in April 2023, following its iOS debut in February 2023. The app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and supports the same features as its iOS counterpart, including posting, custom feeds, and moderation tools.
How Bluesky Compares to X Alternatives
As an X alternative, Bluesky app competes with platforms like Mastodon, Threads, and Spill. Here’s how it stacks up:
- Bluesky vs. X (Twitter):
- Decentralization: Bluesky’s AT Protocol allows data portability and user-hosted servers, unlike X’s centralized model.
- Moderation: Bluesky’s block feature prevents blocked users from viewing posts, addressing safety concerns raised by X’s 2024 block feature change.
- AI Usage: Bluesky has no plans to use user posts for AI training, unlike X’s updated terms.
- User Experience: Bluesky feels like “old Twitter,” with less toxicity and a focus on community-driven content.
- Bluesky vs. Threads:
- Threads, backed by Meta, has a larger user base (275 million monthly active users) but is centralized, limiting user control. Bluesky’s open-source nature and custom feeds offer more flexibility.
- Threads integrates with Instagram, while Bluesky supports interoperability with other AT Protocol apps.
- Bluesky vs. Mastodon:
- Mastodon’s ActivityPub protocol requires choosing a server, which can be intimidating. Bluesky’s simpler onboarding and intuitive interface make it more accessible.
Bluesky’s rapid growth—2.5 million sign-ups in a single week in November 2024—reflects its appeal as a viable alternative, especially for those frustrated by X’s changes.
Also, read – How to Find the Trending Hashtags in X
How Is Bluesky Different from Twitter?
Bluesky diverges from Twitter (X) in several key ways:
- Decentralized Architecture: Unlike X’s single-server model, Bluesky’s AT Protocol enables users to host their own data, ensuring portability and independence.
- Algorithmic Choice: Bluesky’s “marketplace of algorithms” lets users select or create feeds, unlike X’s opaque algorithm.
- Privacy and Safety: Bluesky’s block feature is more robust, and its moderation system empowers users via tools like Ozone.
- Open-Source Code: Bluesky’s code is available on GitHub under MIT and Apache licenses, fostering transparency and developer contributions.
- Community Focus: Bluesky fosters a friendlier environment, attracting diverse communities like artists and minority groups, with less of the “ragebait” seen on X.
These differences make Bluesky app is a refreshing option for users seeking control and a less toxic social media experience.
Is Bluesky Social Safe to Use?
Bluesky Social is generally safe to use, but there are considerations to keep in mind:
- Moderation: Bluesky’s three-tiered moderation (automated, manual, and community-driven via Ozone) effectively filters content. Users can report posts for spam, hate speech, or other violations, and the platform prohibits discriminatory conduct.
- Privacy: Direct messages are currently centralized but planned to be decentralized with end-to-end encryption. Bluesky collects data linked to user identity, but its privacy practices vary by region. Unlike X, it doesn’t use posts for AI training.
- Safety Features: Robust blocking and muting options, along with warnings for misleading links, enhance user safety. However, some users advocate for private account settings, which are not yet available.
- Age Restrictions: Bluesky is rated 17+, but it lacks strong age verification, so parents should monitor younger users and discuss online safety.
- Past Issues: A 2023 controversy over unfiltered racial slurs in handles led to a “posting strike” and prompted Bluesky to establish a trust and safety team.
While Bluesky is safer than some platforms due to its moderation and privacy focus, users should exercise caution, especially with public posts and interactions.
Why Choose Bluesky Social?
Bluesky Social is a promising Twitter aka X alternative for those seeking a decentralized, user-controlled social media experience. Its open-source nature, customizable feeds, and robust moderation tools make it a standout in the crowded social media landscape. With over 31 million users and growing, Bluesky is poised to challenge established platforms like X and Threads.
Ready to join the Bluesky Social media platform? Download the Bluesky Social Android or iOS app, or visit bsky.app to create your account today. Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let us know how Bluesky compares to your favorite social networks!
