What Is Bluesky? The Decentralized Twitter Alternative
Social media in 2024 feels different. Since Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter (now X), many users are searching for new platforms. While several alternatives like Mastodon, Post, and Spill emerged, Bluesky has shown remarkable growth alongside Meta’s Threads. By November 2024, Bluesky reached 20 million users, driven by controversial changes at X, including modifications to blocking features and AI data policies.
The platform’s growth accelerated after the 2024 U.S. presidential election, which prompted many users, including Taylor Swift’s fanbase, to leave X. Though Bluesky’s user base is growing steadily, it still trails behind Threads’ 275 million monthly active users. Nevertheless, Bluesky stands out as an innovative platform that offers users a fresh way to connect online.
In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at what makes Bluesky special and why more people are choosing it as their preferred social media platform.
What Is Bluesky and What to Know About It
Bluesky started as an innovative social media project that has rapidly grown to accommodate over 20 million users. The platform’s popularity surge coincided with growing dissatisfaction among X (formerly Twitter) users, particularly following Elon Musk’s acquisition and subsequent platform changes. What sets Bluesky apart is its commitment to user control, privacy, and a more genuine social media experience.
Decentralized Network
Bluesky’s key innovation is its decentralized structure, built on what’s called the AT Protocol. This means instead of having one central platform controlling everything, Bluesky allows for multiple independent communities to exist and connect with each other. Users can move freely between different Bluesky-compatible apps while keeping their followers and data intact. The platform even lets users host their own servers, giving them more control over their social media experience compared to traditional platforms.
As the Bluesky team explains, this design ensures users aren’t locked into any single platform or controlled by private companies’ decisions. Your social connections stay with you wherever you go within the network, making it a more flexible and user-friendly approach to social media.
Escape the Algorithm
One of Bluesky’s most distinctive features is its departure from algorithmic content manipulation. Unlike mainstream platforms that use complex algorithms to determine what users see, Bluesky’s content visibility is driven by genuine user engagement. Posts gain traction through authentic interactions like likes and “re-skeets” (Bluesky’s version of retweets), creating a more organic and less manipulated feed experience.
Multiple App Options
Bluesky makes it easy for everyone to join the conversation through different platforms. You can use the official mobile apps on your iPhone or Android device, explore third-party apps on your iPad, or access the platform through web browsers using interfaces like Deck.blue on your computer. This flexibility means you can stay connected to Bluesky wherever you are, using whatever device you prefer.
Starter Packs
Bluesky’s Starter Packs help new users get started quickly. Each pack comes with a list of up to 150 suggested accounts to follow and three custom feeds to explore. This makes it easy for new users to find interesting content and connect with people who share their interests right away.
Custom Feeds and Discovery
Bluesky makes finding and organizing content simple and personal. Instead of relying on complex algorithms, the platform lets you discover content through user-created feeds focused on topics you care about. Whether you’re interested in science, art, or news, you can follow custom feeds that match your interests.
You can also create lists to organize accounts you follow, making it easy to keep track of different content creators and topics. Plus, you can share these lists with others or use them to manage who you interact with on the platform. And here’s a handy feature: you can display these lists right on your profile, so everyone can see your recommendations and understand who you’ve chosen to interact with for a safer, more enjoyable experience. This approach gives you more control over what you see and how you experience social media, making it feel more authentic and less overwhelming than traditional platforms.
Lists and Content Organization
Bluesky makes organizing your social media experience simple and effective through its list. You can group accounts based on topics you’re interested in, collect expert opinions in your field, gather news sources, and even create moderation filters to control what content you see. This flexible system helps you customize your feed exactly how you want it, making it easier to find and follow the content that matters most to you.
Monetization and Sustainability
Unlike many social platforms that rely heavily on advertising, Bluesky takes a different approach to generating revenue while keeping user experience at the forefront. Instead of bombarding users with ads, the platform offers various premium features that users can pay for if they choose. These include better video quality options, ways to customize your profile, and special features for developers who want to create content. This approach helps Bluesky stay sustainable while keeping the platform clean and user-friendly.
Is Bluesky Right for You?
Bluesky represents a significant shift in social media dynamics, offering a more user-centric, privacy-focused alternative to traditional platforms. While it may not completely replace existing social networks, it provides a refreshing option for users seeking greater control over their social media experience and a more authentic way to connect online.
The platform’s commitment to decentralization, user privacy, and genuine engagement makes it particularly attractive to those who value these aspects in their social media interactions. Whether you’re tired of algorithm-driven feeds, concerned about privacy, or simply looking for a new way to connect, Bluesky offers a compelling alternative in the social media landscape.
Why Mobile App is the Best Way to Use Bluesky
The mobile app is the heart of the Bluesky experience, offering the most convenient and engaging way to stay connected with the platform. Since Bluesky is designed primarily as a mobile-first social network, the app provides the smoothest experience for daily interactions, instant notifications, and quick content sharing. The mobile version excels at delivering real-time updates and makes it easy to engage with your community on the go.
While the web version is available and useful for certain tasks, the mobile app stands out for its seamless integration with your daily routine. It offers quick access to your feed, instant notifications, and an interface optimized for touch interactions. This makes it particularly effective for maintaining multiple accounts and staying engaged with different communities. The app’s streamlined design ensures you can easily switch between accounts, post updates, and interact with your followers without missing a beat.
For those managing multiple accounts, the mobile app proves especially valuable as it provides better notification management and faster account switching capabilities.
How to Create Multiple Bluesky Accounts?
Running multiple Bluesky accounts comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to maintaining privacy and avoiding detection. While Bluesky allows account switching, using the same device and IP address for multiple accounts can potentially trigger security measures.
To help with this, GeeLark offers a supreme mobile antidetect solution designed for managing multiple Bluesky accounts. Each cloud phone profile comes with its own unique settings, making it easy to keep your accounts separate. These cloud-based phones work just like regular Android phones, but they’re safer and easier to manage. You can control all your Bluesky accounts from one place, saving you money on physical devices and helping you avoid account problems.
How to set up cloud phones for your multiple Bluesky accounts with GeeLark:
Sign up: Visit the GeeLark website to download and create an account. Select a subscription plan that suits your needs.
Create cloud phone profiles: After logging in, click the New profiles button to create a cloud phone profile. Enter your proxy information to complete the setup. You can create multiple devices and customize their settings as needed.
Upload apk file: Go to the Basic applications section in the Applications menu and click Upload Application. You can get the Bluesky apk file here.
Install Bluesky: After uploading, the icon will appear in Team’s applications.
Click the button to enable Bluesky installation. The app will automatically install on all your cloud phones.
Account setup: Open Bluesky on each cloud phone profile and create your accounts, completing the verification process for each one.
Monitor your cloud phones through the GeeLark dashboard, where you adjust settings and add new profiles as needed.
You’re all set—enjoy using Bluesky!