X alternative Bluesky finally opens up for all: What’s the hype about?

Previously, signing up for Bluesky required getting an activation code from someone already on the platform. This controlled growth strategy generated buzz while allowing the small Bluesky team to refine core features before fully launching.

This shift likely signals two things. One, Bluesky feels its platform is now robust enough for an influx of users. And two, organic word-of-mouth growth has not achieved the critical mass Bluesky hoped for. Though impressions of Bluesky are generally positive, its user base still hovers around 3 million – a far cry from competitors like X or upstart Threads.

But what exactly is Bluesky?

Bluesky is a decentralised social network envisioned by Jack Dorsey who developed it in tandem with Twitter. The interface resembles X, but Bluesky uses an algorithmic feed, open source infrastructure, and community moderation.

Dorsey announced Bluesky in 2019 as Twitter’s CEO. His vision was a decentralised standard for social media that Twitter could eventually adopt. But with Dorsey gone and Elon Musk at the helm, Bluesky split off as an independent company in 2021. Dorsey has even used Bluesky to criticise Musk’s management of Twitter.

Is Bluesky really decentralised?

Yes. Bluesky runs on the AT Protocol, a decentralised open standard developed in-house. But the goal is a federated network where developers can build social apps that seamlessly interact. Users could move between apps while retaining followers, handles, and data. Bluesky aims to launch federation features in early 2023.

“You’ll always have the freedom to choose (and to exit) instead of being held to the whims of private companies or black box algorithms. And wherever you go, your friends and relationships will be there too,” Bluesky states in a blog post.

How does Bluesky compare to X?

The two share a familiar tweet/post-based interface. In fact, the interfaces are so similar you’ll barely be able to tell the difference if you squint a little. The reason for this could be the fact that, ultimately, the team behind Bluesky was funded by Twitter. Plus, having similar interfaces kills any learning curves that may come up when X/Twitter users move on to Bluesky.

But Bluesky lacks certain X features like DMs or advanced account management tools. Most importantly, X is centralised, while Bluesky is built on a decentralised protocol.

Why has Bluesky gained traction?

Many X users were disillusioned when Elon Musk took the role of the platform’s leadership. Changes like lax moderation and paid verification have increased misinformation and confusion. This prompted interest in alternative platforms like Bluesky and Mastodon.

Bluesky originally courted tech insiders with invite codes. Opening up registration led multiple high-profile Twitter defectors to join, sparking wider curiosity. Bluesky’s faithful have playfully dubbed posts “skeets” in contrast to tweets – although Bluesky’s own CEO Jay Graber has begged users to stop using that term.

It remains to be seen whether Bluesky’s decentralised ethos can scale, resonate with mainstream users, and offer a viable revenue model. We’ll have to wait and see how it all plays out now that the platform is accessible to the general public – and how it competes against the likes of Threads, which by the way is also geared to join the fediverse.