News Influencers Adopt Bluesky but Continue Posting Actively on X Amid Platform Shifts
Bluesky Gains Traction Among Left-Leaning News Influencers
Despite slowed overall growth, Bluesky is increasingly popular with news influencers, especially those with left-leaning perspectives. Many have created Bluesky profiles as a supplement to their established presence on X (formerly Twitter), reflecting a cautious response to changes under Elon Musk’s ownership.
Continued Activity on X Despite Bluesky Adoption
Pew Research Center data shows that while Bluesky posting among news influencers increased from 54% to 66% between January and March 2024, posting activity on X remained high, only slightly declining from 92% to 87% in the same period. This indicates influencers are hedging their bets rather than abandoning X.
Challenges for Bluesky’s Growth
- Bluesky’s decentralized social model appeals to users focused on a free and open web, but this doesn’t resonate with most casual users.
- The platform faces strong competition: X has around 600 million monthly users, while Bluesky has about 36 million.
- Meta’s Threads has surpassed Bluesky with approximately 350 million active users, despite not prioritizing decentralization.
- Convenience and critical mass remain key—users gravitate to platforms with abundant content and familiar interfaces.
Future Outlook: Bluesky’s Role as an Alternative
Bluesky may see renewed surges if major platforms like X or Threads make unpopular changes, as it offers an open alternative free from corporate control. However, without significant creator momentum and user convenience, Bluesky risks remaining a niche platform favored by technically savvy users and influencers.
Source: Social Media Today – Latest News by Andrew Hutchinson. Read original.
