November 22, 2024 By: JK Tech
Bluesky’s relatively new face in the social media landscape, dominated by huge names such as Facebook, Instagram, and X, has still managed to carve out its space. Many may have yet to hear of it, but quietly, Bluesky has been building its momentum, the platform driving itself more on value to users’ self-control and decentralization, rather than corporate dominance.
Actually, the idea of Bluesky came from Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter, who saw a need for a non-closed social network. In an open protocol model, the technology is set up to make it possible for developers and users to have more control over how the platform works. It is different from “walled garden” platforms like Facebook and TikTok, which keep their users’ data and content locked within their ecosystems.
This model enables users of the Bluesky system to take their digital identities across platforms and customize their experience by tailoring algorithms to their preferences. It is quite a significant shift from other platforms where content visibility is dictated by centralized systems.
Recent Rise in Popularity
Since an invitation-only, low-key launch in early 2023, Bluesky has grown steadily. Recently, it has grown very rapidly; user numbers have reached more than 15 million. Much of this growth spurt can be traced to dissatisfaction with alternative platforms, mainly after Elon Musk acquired Twitter and introduced several contentious changes to the way the platform operates.
Political incidences have also seen the boom of Bluesky. For instance, during the previous U.S. presidential election recently, some users deserted X over its moderation policies and the alleged connection of this platform to particular political figures. Internationally, attention was paid to Bluesky when X experienced a halt in Brazil, and millions of its users took this as an opportunity to find an alternative.
Issues in Scaling Up
Like many rapidly growing platforms, Bluesky has encountered its fair share of challenges. There have been reports of technical issues, including outages and glitches, which are mainly due to server difficulties. Additionally, there are cultural clashes between long-time users who appreciate the relaxed, community-focused environment that Bluesky promotes and newer users who tend to prefer a faster-paced experience, similar to that of other platforms.
These challenges have been addressed by the introduction of customizable feeds on Bluesky, by which users can mold their social media environment to include whatever matters to them. Automated tools aimed at moderating harmful content are further being improved to make the platform safer and more inclusive for the rising user base.
Bluesky: A Different Kind of Social Media
Bluesky has made it clear that it intends to do things differently. Unlike many tech giants, the platform has pledged not to use user-generated content for training artificial intelligence models, reflecting its commitment to user privacy and autonomy. This stance aligns with its broader mission of creating a more open, user-driven social network.
While still small by comparison to platforms like Facebook or X, Bluesky’s growth highlights a growing desire among customers for alternative models of social media. What is promising about Bluesky, then, is that it encourages transparency and decentralization in ways that build the organization for users rather than shareholders.
Whether Bluesky can maintain its identity as it expands is just one of many questions surrounding the platform. For now, it offers a fresh approach in an industry that has long been dominated by a select few. It remains to be seen whether Bluesky will become one of the major players or simply serve as an alternative. However, its rise to prominence indicates that users are increasingly seeking platforms that provide them with greater control over their online experience.
