WEB DESK: Bluesky, a social media platform rivaling Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter), is experiencing a surge in popularity and has secured a large number of new followers including Hollywood celebrities after the recent US elections.
The platform, which positions itself as a direct competitor to X, is seeing a massive influx of over 16 million new users following recent developments in US politics and anticipated terms of service changes on X.
This rise in user interest coincides with Elon Musk’s recent high-profile appointment in former President Trump’s cabinet, a move that has stirred mixed reactions and driven some users to explore alternatives like Bluesky.
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This latest boost in popularity led to Bluesky topping the App Store charts on November 14, as reported by Business Insider.
The platform welcomed a million new users within the week, pushing its total user base to 15 million by Wednesday and surpassing 16 million by Thursday, according to a live user tracker by Bluesky employee Jaz.
The rapid growth, however, has come with some technical challenges. On Thursday, thousands of users reported app and website outages on Downdetector, just as the platform crossed the 16 million user mark.
While Bluesky’s growth is encouraging, the platform continues to address minor disruptions as it scales up to accommodate its expanding user base.
Hollywood elites leave X for Bluesky
Many Hollywood stars have also started opting for Bluesky and leaving ‘X’. American television journalist Don Lemon shared that he is leaving Musk-owned X, explaining in a short video posted on Wednesday, “I once believed it was a place for honest debate, discussion, transparency, and free speech. But now, I feel it no longer serves that purpose.”
Other notable figures, including Jamie Lee Curtis, Elton John, Mia Farrow, and Whoopi Goldberg, have also decided to part ways with the platform. Rapper Lizzo chimed in, saying, “Anyways, I joined Bluesky because we’re leaving toxicity in 2024.”