US Users Flee Twitter Amidst Concerns of Free Speech And Misinformation, Rush to Bluesky
In the aftermath of high-profile US elections, which took place just a day ago on November 6, over 1.16 million users have deactivated their accounts on X (formerly Twitter) due to growing concerns about free speech and misinformation on the platform. According to web analytics firm Similarweb, US-based users on X reached a record 42.3 million visits on November 12, amidst shifting allegiances to alternative social media platforms like Bluesky.
The mass exodus from X has been dubbed the 'Great X-odus,' with users primarily from the US, UK, and Canada migrating to Bluesky. Users are citing concerns that Elon Musk, now set to take a top position in the Donald Trump administration, will prioritize conservative voices over neutral ones on his platform. Moreover, allegations have surfaced about Twitter's algorithm being modified to promote conservative accounts and posts.
One notable alternative platform, Bluesky, developed by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey as 'decentralised Twitter,' has seen significant growth amidst this departure. Launched in 2019 and rebranded in 2023, the platform was initially invite-only but was opened up to general users in February. Currently, it boasts over 18 million users.
"We've grown to over 18 million users since February, close to 10,000 users are being added per couple of minutes," Bluesky CEO Jay Gruber stated recently. The rapid user growth prompted the team to scale their operations on short notice.
As more prominent figures – including journalists, celebrities, and politicians – declare their disaffection with X, concerns over misinformation have grown increasingly pronounced. In response, Bluesky Safety has reported an all-time high in safety-related issues: over 42,000 reports in a single day, totaling a whopping 360k for the year 2023.
The mass migration from X to Bluesky highlights ongoing efforts by users and alternative platforms to address their concerns regarding censorship, data protection, and content moderation. While multiple other alternatives have emerged, such as Meta-owned Threads, Mastodon (part of 'fediverse'), Koo (now shut down), each offers distinct features not found on Twitter.
Whether this exodus marks the end of another "X-odus" or spurs an ongoing cycle remains uncertain, though it underscores the dynamic nature of the global social media landscape.