Bluesky, the decentralized social platform, has witnessed a surge in popularity. In just a week, it added over 700,000 new users, taking its total user base past the 14.5 million mark.
Bluesky COO Rose Wang confirmed to Theverge that the majority of these new users are from the United States. The app has swiftly climbed to become the second-most popular free social networking app in the US App Store, just behind Meta’s Threads.
While Bluesky gains traction, Threads users are expressing growing frustration with issues such as engagement bait, moderation challenges, and a persistent algorithmic “For You” feed that can’t be disabled. This frustration resonates with users who want more control over their experience—a sentiment echoed by Verge reporter Tom Warren and others.
Despite Bluesky’s rapid growth, Threads still holds a substantial lead, boasting around 275 million monthly users. However, Bluesky’s recent rise is notable; it announced 13 million users on October 24th, adding 500,000 users in a single day following a controversial update by X (formerly Twitter) which allowed blocked users to see posts from those who blocked them.
Some attribute Bluesky’s appeal to the upcoming U.S. presidential election and a shift in user preference toward platforms unaffiliated with Elon Musk. This shift is also being driven by an increase in hate speech on X, pushing some users, including Taylor Swift fans, to seek safer, friendlier alternatives.
Bluesky is quickly evolving to meet user expectations with recent updates, including pinned posts, video support, direct messaging, and customizable feeds. These additions help make Bluesky a strong competitor to X, offering a more personalized and user-centric social experience. The platform even includes “starter packs” to help newcomers discover familiar faces and create their ideal feed.
Bluesky’s rise shows the growing interest in decentralized platforms, especially as users search for more control, a safer space, and independence from traditional social media giants.
