Bluesky’s Boom: Are We Watching the Next Big Shift?

Bluesky has hit a milestone that feels genuinely exciting — over 20 million users on the social network and growing fast. That’s a dramatic leap from just 7 million three months ago. As an early adopter who joined Bluesky’s private beta in May 2023, I’ve been watching this platform closely, and I can’t help but feel we’re seeing something special take shape.

It reminds me of the early days of Twitter, around 2008 — back when it felt fresh, personal, and untainted by trolls, grifters, and algorithms pushing agendas. These days, it’s hard not to draw a line between the chaos at X and the growing energy on Bluesky.

Is it too early to call this an Xodus? Maybe. But it’s hard to ignore the shift.

Bluesky Feels Like “Home”

There’s something about Bluesky that just clicks. The interface is familiar but better. The conversations feel real. And the absence of trolls and spam? Absolute bliss. For me, it’s like stepping back into a version of social media that I actually enjoyed — a place where discovering new voices and ideas felt effortless.

Bluesky app on Windows 11 — *Bluesky on Windows 11*

But nostalgia alone isn’t what’s driving Bluesky’s growth. It’s the platform’s vibe — open, creative, and refreshingly free of the corporate polish that makes Threads feel… well, a bit lifeless by comparison.

Bluesky isn’t perfect (no platform is), but it feels like a place where people actually want to be.

The Real Question: Can It Last?

This is the part where optimism meets reality. Growth is exciting, but scaling isn’t easy. Remember Twitter’s fail whale? Bluesky will need to avoid becoming its modern-day equivalent.

Beyond the technical challenges, keeping the culture intact as millions more join might be the bigger test.

Bluesky user numbers — *The picture yesterday: user numbers keep mounting*

And then there’s the question of money. Bluesky is thriving on goodwill right now, but it’ll need a sustainable business model eventually. Can it grow without turning into just another ad-driven platform? I hope so. The last thing we need is another X.

Threads: The Other Contender

Threads came out swinging in July 2023, backed by Meta’s might. I was there on launch day, full of curiosity. But let’s be honest: Threads has struggled to keep the energy alive. While the initial excitement over its launch brought millions of sign-ups in a matter of days, engagement metrics told a different story.

Threads lacks the vibrancy of organic conversation, as users often describe it as feeling more corporate and less dynamic than other platforms. It feels polished but uninspiring.

It’s been my primary social network since earlier this year, but I’ve been asking myself recently: for how much longer?

I find Bluesky increasingly compelling in terms of the content and who posts it. It’s much of what I like to see and engage with. Again, it reminds me of Twitter back in the day.

Bluesky is also a far better ‘user experience’ with a mobile app and a web app that are eerily similar to Twitter at its best (but better: see above), so it has ready familiarity and a low learning curve. Threads, in contrast, seems clunky by comparison.

Bluesky user numbers /FT — *Bluesky closing in on Threads /FT*

Meanwhile, Bluesky’s conversations feel alive, messy in a good way. It reminds me of what social media was meant to be — human. If Bluesky keeps this up, it’s hard not to see Threads slipping further into the background.

Is Bluesky the Successor to X?

Maybe. Maybe not. But it certainly feels like it’s getting closer and I’d say the odds favour Bluesky by quite a margin. The energy on the platform is undeniable, and the momentum is hard to ignore. Whether Bluesky truly becomes the next big thing will depend on whether it can keep growing without losing what makes it special.

One thing is clear: Bluesky has established itself as a serious player in the conversation space. As users, brands, and organisations increasingly look for alternatives to X, Bluesky’s continued growth could signal a shift in the broader social media ecosystem. Its trajectory is one to watch closely in the coming weeks and months.

I’ve written about Bluesky’s early days and its potential before — read this post for a deeper dive.

What about you? Are you on Bluesky? Does it feel like the real deal, or are we just chasing nostalgia? Let’s talk — join me on Bluesky: @nevillehobson.xyz

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