Bluesky Sees Massive User Growth Amidst X's Policy Changes

Bluesky, a decentralized social media platform, has experienced a significant surge in new users in recent days, likely driven by recent changes in X's (formerly Twitter) policies. Bluesky welcomed 500,000 new users in a single day, according to a post on their platform, propelling the app to the top of popular app charts.

Bluesky Climbs App Charts

App analysis firm Appfigure reports that Bluesky has climbed into the top five apps on the US Apple App Store, securing the second position in the Social Networking category. This marks a dramatic rise from its previous ranking of 181 last week. Bluesky's growth extends beyond the US, with downloads increasing by a four-digit percentage compared to last week.

Bluesky has achieved the top spot in Japan, Thailand, and Taiwan. It also ranks second in Hong Kong, fourth in Canada and South Korea, and eighth in Singapore. According to Appfigures data, Bluesky was installed 197,000 times on the App Store on Thursday, October 17, a significant jump from the roughly 3,400 installations the previous day. The majority of these downloads originated from the US, contributing 40%, or about 80,000 installs. Overall, Bluesky downloads have increased by a four-digit percentage in 90 countries.

While Google Play Store data lags slightly, initial indications suggest Bluesky is witnessing a similar surge. The app previously occupied a position around 100 in the Social Networking category but has now climbed into the top five and continues to rise, as reported by TechCrunch.

Factors Contributing to Bluesky's Growth

Several factors, primarily related to X, have contributed to Bluesky's rapid growth. X recently implemented changes to its blocking feature, allowing posts from public accounts to be visible to anyone, including blocked accounts. Although blocked accounts cannot interact with these posts, such as replying, liking, or reposting, many X users have expressed concerns about this change, citing potential for harassment and stalking. They fear the erosion of their ability to control their online interactions and limit exposure to unwanted content.

Further fueling the exodus from X, the platform updated its Terms of Service and privacy policy, stating that users agree to grant X the right to share their data with third parties, including for AI training. This move has raised privacy concerns among users who are apprehensive about the potential use of their personal information for commercial purposes and the implications for their data security.

These changes, coupled with other concerns about X's direction and moderation policies, have led many users to seek alternative platforms, with Bluesky emerging as a popular choice. The platform's decentralized nature, which promises greater user control over their data and online experience, has proven attractive to those seeking a more transparent and ethical social media environment.

Bluesky's sudden surge in popularity highlights a growing demand for alternative social media platforms that prioritize user privacy, data security, and control over online interactions. While the platform remains in its early stages of development, its rapid growth suggests a potential shift in the social media landscape as users seek platforms that align more closely with their values and priorities.