After the US presidential election won by Donald Trump, the social network Bluesky gained more than a million users. The platform aims to be more secure than X.
Since the election of Donald Trump, Bluesky has reached over a million users. X was originally developed by Jack Dorsey, the former director of Twitter, with the takeover of Elon Musk, and this social network whose logo is a butterfly is presented as a more secure interface, with more moderation and more peaceful exchanges.
The Tesla boss’ omnipresence in Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and government staff appears to be one of the reasons for Bluesky’s recent success. Entering the butterfly platform would be a political act that would indicate a refusal to adhere to owner X’s republican positions.
According to the Guardianthis influx of new users comes mainly from North America and the United Kingdom. Due to its arrival, Bluesky was able to reach almost 15 million users, compared to 9 million in September.
15M people on Bluesky!!! The Verge hit us with our own announcement – that’s the beauty of an open network with public stats!
— Gormflaith (@bsky.app) November 13, 2024 at 4:43 pm
If the butterfly platform started as a project within Twitter, it became an independent company in 2022. Since then Jack Dorsey has withdrawn from this network which is now mainly owned by the general director, Jay Graber .
Bluesky, like X, allows you to post messages as well as like, repost or reply to other people. It is also possible to send videos and chat privately.
The social network is built on a decentralized architecture, designed to allow more measured exchanges and more transparent moderation rules.
A “mission driven” business enterprise.
On Bluesky, users can specify whether they want to see, block or hide violent or sexual content under warning, flagged by a combination of algorithms and community flags.
Registered as a ”mission” commercial company, the platform wishes that “advertising is not its main economic model” and does not intend to monetize its users’ data, but it has launched the first paid offer that allows you to name get a user’s own connected to an internet address.
When interviewed by the Guardian, social media researcher Axel Bruns believes that this platform is “a haven for people who want the kind of social media experience that Twitter once offered, without the big activism of far right, disinformation, hate speech, bots and everything else.
What are the main differences between Bluesky and traditional social networks like X?
Interviewer: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have an exciting guest, Jay Graber, the CEO of Bluesky, the social network that has recently garnered over 15 million users. After the recent US presidential election, many users have flocked to Bluesky, seeking an alternative to X. Jay, thank you for joining us!
Jay Graber: Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here and share our vision for Bluesky.
Interviewer: Bluesky has seen remarkable growth following the election of Donald Trump. What do you think has driven this influx of users?
Jay Graber: I believe the significant political climate is a key factor. Many users are looking for a space that feels safer and more welcoming than what they might experience on X. The omnipresence of Elon Musk in American politics has prompted people to seek alternatives that align more with their values. Bluesky aims to be that space for thoughtful and moderated exchanges.
Interviewer: That’s an interesting point. Can you elaborate on how Bluesky’s structure and moderation differ from X’s?
Jay Graber: Absolutely! Bluesky is built on a decentralized architecture which promotes transparency and user control. Unlike X, where moderation and content policies can sometimes feel opaque, Bluesky enables users to participate in more measured and regulated discussions. This approach fosters a more peaceful environment, reducing the instances of toxic interactions.
Interviewer: It’s refreshing to hear about a focus on moderation. What features does Bluesky offer to facilitate these interactions?
Jay Graber: Similar to X, users can post messages, like, repost, or reply to others. Additionally, Bluesky allows users to share videos and engage in private chats. However, we’ve implemented more nuanced moderation tools to help curate conversations and ensure a healthier community.
Interviewer: With so many political discussions occurring online, do you see Bluesky as a platform for activism as well?
Jay Graber: Definitely. We see Bluesky as a “mission-driven” social network. It’s not just about social interaction; it’s also about empowering users to express themselves and connect over shared causes. Many of our users are using the platform to discuss critical issues, organize, and advocate for change.
Interviewer: As someone who was part of the Twitter project before it evolved into Bluesky, do you carry any of those experiences into your leadership today?
Jay Graber: Absolutely! My time at Twitter taught me a lot about community engagement and the complexities of social networks. At Bluesky, we have the freedom to implement what we’ve learned. We emphasize user feedback and community standards, keeping our users at the heart of our decision-making process.
Interviewer: That’s a great approach. Looking ahead, what are your goals for Bluesky?
Jay Graber: We’re focused on continuing to grow our community while keeping the quality of engagement at the forefront. We also want to enhance our features to make interaction even more meaningful and transparent. Ultimately, our goal is to create a platform where everyone feels safe and heard.
Interviewer: Thank you, Jay. It’s exciting to see where Bluesky heads next, particularly with such growth. Any last thoughts for our readers who are considering joining Bluesky?
Jay Graber: I encourage everyone to give it a try. Come join the conversation, be a part of a community that prioritizes respectful dialogue, and help shape the future of social networking. Your voice matters!
Interviewer: Thank you, Jay, for an enlightening discussion. We look forward to seeing how Bluesky evolves and impacts the social media landscape!