The apps look and feel similar. Here is how to use Bluesky and what you might miss from X.
Bluesky, the Twitter-like social media platform that emerged as an alternative for X users who had become frustrated with Elon Musk’s ownership of the platform, is having a second wind.
When Mr. Musk bought X — then called Twitter — in October 2022, competitors like Mastodon and Hive Social received a rush of new users. Other competitors came on the scene later, including Threads and Bluesky, and were welcomed with surging sign-up requests.
Since the 2024 presidential election, Bluesky has added millions of new users, its chief executive said.
Whether you’ve left X for a new home or simply want to understand one of the most downloaded free apps, here is what you need to know about Bluesky.
What is Bluesky?
Bluesky is a desktop and app-based social network that operates similarly to X. Users can post text, videos and photos, reply to one another and share other users’ posts. The early version of Bluesky required users to be invited to the platform, but now anyone with an email address can create an account.
How do I post?
Similar to X, Bluesky users can write a post by clicking a large, blue button that says “New Post” with a pen-and-paper icon next to it. The posts are on the shorter side, with a 300-character limit, and they can include video and photos.