'X' users migrate to 'Bluesky' amid Musk's rowdy policies

Since the recent US election, Bluesky has seen a spike of over 1 million new users, marking a significant shift from X, formerly known as Twitter.

Dissatisfaction with the platform under Elon Musk's leadership, coupled with mounting warnings about misinformation from the EU and anti-hate groups, has fueled this rapid migration.

Bluesky's user base has surged from 9 million in September to over 15 million, according to company sources.

Bluesky, launched as a project within Twitter by then-CEO Jack Dorsey, sought to create an "open and decentralised standard for social media."

By 2021, Bluesky had become an independent entity, and today it's headed by CEO Jay Graber.

On Bluesky, users can post, reply, and interact with each other, much like on X, but with enhanced moderation tools and a more customisable experience.

The biggest draw for Bluesky users appears to be its high level of moderation.

Users on Bluesky can choose the algorithms that drive their feeds, allowing for tailored viewing experiences such as a feed for close friends or specific interests. Users can also set website addresses as their handles, which could become a practical verification tool for journalists, public figures, and other professionals.

In stark contrast, X recently eased its block function, meaning public accounts can still be viewed by users who have been blocked. In response, Bluesky promotes "anti-toxicity" features that let users detach their posts from unwanted interactions, which many see as a safeguard against online harassment.

Bluesky's popularity has been fueled by a growing sense of unease about X's content moderation approach. Elon Musk, now closely associated with the US president-elect Donald Trump, has faced criticism for his platform's role in spreading misinformation and allowing extremist content.