Introducing Bluesky
Bluesky is a new microblogging social network that allows users to post short updates on a timeline, similar to Twitter, but without hashtags or direct messages. Despite being formed independently of Twitter, it was funded by the company until it became independent in February 2022. It was introduced in 2019 by Twitter’s then CEO, Jack Dorsey, with plans to build an open community inclusive of various entities, acknowledging that it wouldn’t happen instantly.
Bluesky, a decentralized social network, is attracting Twitter users unhappy with the changes made under the new owner, Elon Musk. His controversial actions, such as removing blue check marks from prominent users, have led to significant criticism. High-profile users are now exploring Bluesky, a platform similar to Mastodon, another Twitter alternative that gained traction previously.
According to data.ai, Bluesky, formerly known as App Annie, has received over 375,000 downloads from the Apple App Store and continues to have a high volume of signup requests. On the Google Play Store, downloads have surpassed 100,000. This is in comparison to Twitter, which had over 200 million monetizable daily active users prior to being acquired by Musk.
As cited by CNN, Mark Bartholomew, a professor at the University at Buffalo School of Law, views the early shift towards Bluesky, Twitter’s new decentralized social network, as a positive move. He believes that competition may help users find product features more suited to their needs, such as improved privacy protection and content moderation. Despite some undesirable features, users often feel obligated to use popular social media platforms.
Currently, Bluesky operates as an invite-only platform as it increases support for implementing its network. The platform’s existing users are provided with one invitation code every fortnight to share with another individual. This exclusivity strategy has evidently heightened the anticipation and enthusiasm towards joining Bluesky.
[sourcelink link=”https://edition.cnn.com/2023/04/28/tech/bluesky-social/index.html”]
