Bluesky has been transforming traditional models through its decentralized approach, which redefined the way people communicate online. First introduced in 2021, it's an outcome of Twitter's 2019 effort to build an open, decentralized protocol, thereby leaving behind centralized control over content and user experience.
Co-founder of Twitter, Jack Dorsey had dreamt of a free space from the profitable focus on outrage and controversy, which he believes has dominated traditional social media.
Unlike other platforms such as Meta or Google, Bluesky uses the AT Protocol, allowing individuals more control over their online experiences. Since it is a decentralized method, Yahoo Finance reported that users have the authority to decide and define how to moderate their content and even their overall experience, independent of some corporation's algorithms. This promise is the same as it was when people had an open door to publishing any type of content and could level up the playing field for every individual who utilized the system.
Since its public launch in 2024, Bluesky's user count has increased to over 24 million. That's minuscule compared to its rivals such as X (formerly Twitter), but it has maintained its top-of-the-chart ranking on the app stores and even recently managed to overtake X in daily downloads. Such success indicates that people increasingly yearn for alternatives not owned by billionaires and big companies.
A Change in the Social Media Ecosystem
The more that people get frustrated with the centralization of platforms, the more likely Bluesky may be tapping into a burgeoning market of people looking to have control over their online presence.
A recent Ipsos survey found that people were trending toward "platform ambivalence," where users seek news and information from various sources rather than just relying on one platform. This shift could be a reaction to the monopolistic practices of large companies like Meta, which have absorbed rivals and stifled competition.
While Bluesky is still in its early stages, the changing regulatory industry may offer a window of opportunity for decentralized platforms. The Department of Justice has taken action against major tech firms for anticompetitive behavior, and incoming regulators have signaled plans to review laws that protect Big Tech. If these trends continue, Bluesky could break through the dominance of centralized platforms, offering users a true alternative to today's social media giants.
Bluesky's vision goes well beyond social media and wants users to be able to transfer identities and data with zero friction from one platform to another. This decentralized protocol connects apps like Reddit, Facebook, and others, offering users the opportunity to control and own their online identity rather than being locked within the "walled gardens" of the big tech players. This open-internet vision could revolutionize the use of digital content by the user.
Join the Conversation