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Is the grass greener on the other side ? We ’re not certain , but the sky is most certainly puritanical . It ’s been over two years sinceElon Musk purchased Twitter , now X , leading the great unwashed to set up shop class on alternative chopine . Mastodon , Post , Pebble(two of which have alreadyshutteredoperations ) andSpillhave been represent aspotential transposition , but fewaside from Meta ’s Threadshave reach the speed of growth Bluesky has reached .
As of February 2025 , Bluesky hassurpassed 30 million users . Its growth stems from several insurance change at XTC , include a heavily criticizedchange to the auction block featureand allowing third party companies totrain their AI on users ’ posts , which helped the app soar to thetop of the U.S. App Store . Bluesky also saw a bounteous boost take after the solution of the2024 U.S. presidential election(which also contributed to an XTC exodus byTaylor Swift fans ) . But while the turn is promising , the growth has slowed — and the internet has a flock of catching up to do to compete withThreads ’ 275 million monthly alive exploiter .
Below , we ’ve compiled the answers to some of the most rough-cut questions users have about Bluesky . And if you ’ve made the switch , you canfollow TechCrunch hereas well as our squad withour Starter Pack .
What is Bluesky?
Bluesky is adecentralized social appconceptualized by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and rise in parallel with Twitter . The societal internet has a Twitter - like substance abuser interface with algorithmic alternative , a federated design and community - specific moderateness .
Bluesky is using anopen origin frameworkbuilt in - house , theAT Protocol , intend people outside of the company have transparency into how it is construct and what is being developed .
Dorsey introduced the Bluesky project back in 2019 while he was still Twitter CEO . At the time , he said Twitter would be funding a “ small independent squad of up to five open source architect , applied scientist , and designers , ” charged with build a decentralized standard for societal medium , with the original goal that Twitter would assume this monetary standard itself . But that was before Elon Musk bought the platform , so Bluesky is all divorce from X.
As of May 2024 , Dorsey isno longer on Bluesky ’s board . Bluesky is now an self-governing public welfare tummy led byCEO Jay Graber .
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How do you use Bluesky?
Upon signing up , exploiter can create a handle which is then represented as @username.bsky.social as well as a display name that appears more prominent in bold textbook . If you ’re so prepared , you could turn a domain name that you own into your username — so , for case , I ’m do it on Bluesky as@amanda.omg.lol .
The app itself functionsmuch like X , where you’re able to click a plus button to create a stake of 256 theatrical role , which can also include picture . postal service themselves can be answer to , retweeted , liked and , from a three - dot carte , reported , shared via the iOS Share Sheet to other apps , or copied as text .
you could look for and follow other individuals , then catch their update in your “ dwelling ” timeline . Previously , the Bluesky app would have pop Emily Price Post in a “ What ’s blistering ” feed . That feed has since been replace with an algorithmic andpersonalized “ Discover ” feedfeaturing more than just sheer content .
For new users , Bluesky introduceda “ Starter Pack ” feature , which make a curated inclination of people and usance prey to follow to find interesting content right out of the gate . you’re able to find TechCrunch ’s Starter Packright here .
User profiles hold back the same sort of features you ’d look : a profile pic , background , bio , metrics and how many people they ’re follow . Profile feed are divided into two sections , like X : posts and posts & response . In January 2025 , Bluesky also addeda new video tabto exploiter profile .
There is also a “ Discover ” tab in the bottom center of the app ’s seafaring , which offers more “ who to follow ” prompting and a running play provender of recently posted Bluesky update . In January 2025 , Bluesky also introduceda vertical video feedto compete with TikTok .
We ’ve also put together a helpful guide onhow to use Bluesky here .
Who’s on Bluesky?
By the starting time of July 2023 , whenInstagram ’s Threadslaunched , Bluesky topped a million downloadsacross iOS and Android . noted figures likeRep . Alexandria Ocasio - Cortez , Mark Cuban , Quinta Brunson , Dril , Weird Al Yankovic , Guillermo del Toro , Barbra Streisand , andBrazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silvahave migrate to Bluesky .
Bluesky is also home plate to news formation likeBloomberg , The Washington Post , and of course , TechCrunch ! Since August 2024 , Bluesky is also now allowingheads of stateto house up and fall in the platform for the first time .
In 2025 , some prominent U.S. political figures fix up account on the platform , likeBarack ObamaandHillary Clinton .
Does Bluesky work just like X?
In October 2024 , Elon Musk announced thatX ’s stoppage characteristic would work differentlythan it has in the past . The fresh block functionality allows users you have stop to consider your posts and your visibility , but not the ability to interact with your posts . Some usersbelieve this update to be a rubber business , leading to an influx in Bluesky preindication - ups as its stop feature is more traditional .
In another move that separates Bluesky from X , the societal electronic connection enjoin it has“no intention ” of using exploiter capacity to train reproductive AI toolsas X follow through a young term of service that allow the weapons platform totrain AI models on public posts . But that does n’t stopthird parties from doing so .
While Bluesky was ab initio kicked off as a task convened by Jack Dorsey in 2019 when he was CEO of Twitter , the social app has been an independent companionship since its inception in 2021 .
Is Bluesky free?
Yes , and it is now exposed to the public .
How does Bluesky make money?
Bluesky ’s goal is to find another means to have its meshwork outside of ad with devote serving , so it can remain spare to end users . On July 5 , 2023,Bluesky announcedadditional cum orotund funding and a pay Robert William Service that allow for custom field for end drug user who want to have a unique domain as their handle on the inspection and repair . Bluesky has also emphasized that it does not want to “ require selling user data point for ads”so as to monetize its chopine .
In November 2024 , Bluesky announced it raiseda $ 15 million Series A roundand is developing a subscription service for premium features . Bluesky , however , observe its subscription model will not follow in the footstep of X’s“pay to acquire ” agio offerings . Users have spotted mockups teasing thesubscription feature , dub Bluesky+,which could include features like higher quality video uploads and profile customizations .
In December 2024 , Peter Wang announceda $ 1 million fund , dubbed Skyseed , that will offer grant to those building on Bluesky ’s candid source AT Protocol .
Is Bluesky decentralized?
Yes . Bluesky ’s squad isdeveloping the decentralised AT Protocol , which Bluesky was built atop . In its genus Beta form , users can only join the bsky.social web , but Bluesky plans to be federated , intend that endless individually operated community can subsist within the open generator connection . So , if a developer outside of Bluesky build up their own young societal app using the AT Protocol , Bluesky users could start over to the young app and interface over their live following , grip and data point .
“ You ’ll always have the exemption to choose ( and to issue ) instead of being held to the whims of secret companies or sinister box algorithms . And wherever you go , your friends and relationships will be there too,”a Bluesky web log post explained .
What third-party apps are built on the AT Protocol?
Many developer are buildingconsumer - facing appson Bluesky or its underlie AT Protocol . These apps are built on unfastened technology , as contradict to being siloed within big technical school ’s centralized , opaque ownership .
Some social apps includeFlashes , a pic regard client;Spark , a TikTok - alike app ; andSkylight Social , which is backed by Mark Cuban .
check out out our morecomprehensive listat various apps built within this ecosystem , including cross - posting apps , medicine apps , feed builders , and livestreamers .
Is Bluesky secure?
In October 2023 , Blueskyadded email verificationas part of a larger effort to improve account surety and hallmark on the mesh . The addition is an important footstep forrard in terms of induce Bluesky more competitive with bigger networks like X , which have more full-bodied security controls . In December 2023 , Bluesky allow exploiter to opt out of a alteration that wouldexpose their Post to the public webfollowing backlash from drug user .
Is Bluesky customizable?
Yes . In May 2023 , Bluesky released custom algorithms , which it calls “ customs duty provender . ” Custom feeds provide users to sign to multiple different algorithms that showcase different kinds of posts a drug user may want to see . you could pin usage feed that will show up at the top of your timeline as unlike tabs to pick from . The feeds you pin , or save , are located under the “ My Feeds ” menu in the app ’s sidebar .
In March 2024, the company announced“AT Protocol Grants,”a young programme that will dole out small Grant to developer in club to foster maturation and customization . One of the recipient , SkyFeed , is a usance tool that lets anyone build up their own feeds using a graphical user interface .
Is Bluesky on iOS and Android?
Yes . Bluesky has rolled out toAndroid usersafter it was initially launch to iOS users . Users can access Bluesky on the webhere .
How does Bluesky tackle misinformation?
After anOctober 2023 update , the app will now warn users of misleading links by flagging them . If inter-group communication shared in users ’ posts do n’t match their text , the app will declare oneself a “ maybe misleading ” warning to the user to alarm them that the data link may be directing them somewhere they do n’t want to go .
In December 2024 , the Bluesky Safety squad post that the companyupdated its imitation policyto be “ more aggressive , ” adding that “ imposture and handle - squatting account will be removed . ” The fellowship said it isalso exploring alternativesto its current domain handle verification process .
Has Bluesky had any controversies?
In December 2024 , Bluesky also face criticism when author and podcast hostJesse Singal joined the weapons platform . Singal has been cataloged by GLAAD ’s Accountability Project for his writings on transgender issue and other matters . Bluesky users have reported Singal ’s account en masse , go the company to blackball him , reinstate him , and then label his account intolerant by its moderation service .
What moderation features does Bluesky have?
In December 2023 , Bluesky rolled out“more advanced automated tooling”designed to flag content that violates its Community Guidelines that will then be reviewed by the app ’s moderation team . Bluesky has moderation features like to ones on X , include drug user lean and moderation lists , and a feature of speech that let user limit who can reply to station . However , some Bluesky exploiter are still advocating for the power to set their chronicle to individual .
In March 2024,the caller launched Ozone , a tool that countenance users make and scat their own independent moderation services that will give users“unprecedented control”over their social sensitive experience . In October 2024,Bluesky joined Instragram ’s Threadsapp in an exploit to court drug user who were frustrated by Meta ’s moderation emergence .
In January 2025 , Bluesky publishedits 2024 relief reportthat said it ascertain a 17x gain in moderation reports stick with the speedy growth on the platform . The report also noted that the largest issue of theme came from drug user reporting accounts or post for harassment , troll , or intolerance — an issue that ’s plagued Bluesky as it ’s grown . To meet the demand because of this growth , Blueskyincreased its moderation team to around 100 moderatorsand will continue to charter .
What’s the difference between Bluesky and Mastodon?
Though Bluesky ’s architecture is similar to Mastodon ’s , many users have found Bluesky to be more intuitive , whileMastodon can get along off as untouchable : opt which instance to fall in feels like an impossible labor on Mastodon , and longtime users are very justificative about their found notice norm , which can make joining the conversation intimidate . To remain competitive , Mastodon recentlysimplifiedits sign - up flow , making mastodon.social the default server for raw drug user .
However , the launching offederationwill make it turn more similarly to Mastodon in that users can blame and choose which server to join and move their accounts around at will .
Who owns Bluesky?
Though Jack Dorsey funded Bluesky , he is not affect in day - to - day development and no longer sits on the company ’s board . The CEO of Bluesky is Jay Graber , who antecedently ferment as a software technologist for the cryptocurrency Zcash , then establish an event - preparation site calledHappening .
If you have more FAQs about Bluesky not covered here , impart us a comment below .
