Everyone is invited to Bluesky – the social media that could replace X

Whether you like it or not, whether you’re one of those in the know or only finding out months after launch, it is undeniable that the world of social media continues to evolve and grow.

For many, Twitter, now known as X, has been the go-to for all forms of entertainment, information, and conversation. However, with Bluesky rising, there might be a new social boss in town.

It’s a new day with a clear Bluesky

Bluesky was originally founded as a research initiative as part of Twitter back in 2019. It is built on the AT Protocol, an open network for building social apps. The platform started with invitation-only access and opened to the public in February.

Jack Dorsey, the former head of Twitter, created Bluesky. He wanted it to be a decentralised version of Twitter, ensuring that it is not owned by one single person.

Dorsey is no longer part of the team; he stepped down from the board in May 2024 and also deleted his own account. Currently, it is run and owned by chief executive Jay Graber.

So, what does it entail?

The platform is full of opportunities to elevate your social media presence, as it's still a developing market with tons of great features. It naturally has a Discover feed, but what’s nice about it is that you get to customise it to fit what you like to see.

At the same time, you get to view other posts that are currently trending in the network. On top of that, there’s a chronological feed of all the accounts you follow.

Recent features added to the platform also include video sharing and direct messaging. Another one that makes Bluesky stand out is that users can block one another. This is a big win, as Musk has changed the X block feature to make user posts visible to all others, including those they have blocked.

Other than that, the functions on Bluesky are a lot like those users experienced on X. You can post ‘Skeets’ of 256 characters or less. This includes posting images and videos or reposting, liking, and replying to Skeets from other users.

A current consideration is adding a subscription model with higher-quality videos and profile customisation. So, a lot like X, but one thing that is different is that this won’t influence your post visibility or get you that ‘verified’ badge.

Monetisation can also run through developer-created content, including custom feeds. Bluesky will receive a small cut of these payouts.

According to the platform, it serves as an open social network that gives its creators independence from platforms while also providing developers the freedom to build. Not to mention that all users have a choice as to how they want to tailor the experience.

The journey from X to Bluesky

Bluesky is seeing high numbers of uptake, and a lot of it has to do with Elon Musk’s involvement with President Donald Trump. Musk is a vocal supporter of US President-elect Donald Trump and used his X platform to post constantly about the vote.

A report from the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) before the election also states that they found false and misleading claims by Musk on the platform. Now, the billionaire has been called by Trump to form a new government efficiency office.

Even newspapers like the Guardian (UK) and La Vanguardia (Spain) have mentioned they plan on leaving X due to the disturbing content they’ve found or seen promoted on the platform. Some fence-sitters have stated that they won’t leave the platform, but that isn’t stopping them from adding accounts on Bluesky.

Interestingly enough, Former Human Rights Watch director Kenneth Roth has posted that it is a mistake for progressives to leave X. According to Roth, there is no platform that can compare when it comes to discussing the most important developments in the world.

When it comes to taking over the top player seat in terms of social platforms, Bluesky still has some way to go. X revealed after the election that it was dominating the global conversation on the US election, managing to set new records.

Should you use Bluesky?

As we've mentioned, Bluesky is a social app that stands out for its decentralised server. It's a company built by many people and not controlled by a single entity. In essence, this is a collection of ideas thrown together in one place, allowing for a more convenient and user-friendly experience.

The app has been around since 2019 but only recently switched from invite-only to open doors for all to join. There’s still a lot of work on the platform, and users can expect some kinks and developments.

So, if you are still an X user and prefer it, make sure to follow CasinoWow on X!

If you are ready to experience something new and escape the gated communities of algorithm-driven feeds, then you may want to give Bluesky a go. It’s not exactly a replacement for Twitter, but it has plenty to offer in a decentralised environment where privacy and user preference take priority!