What Is Bluesky? Is It the Best X (Twitter) Alternative So Far?

X, formerly Twitter, still has a wide range of competitors. One of the most notable is Bluesky, which has emerged as an alternative to X which has the support of former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey.

But what is Bluesky Social? How is it different to X? And can it emerge as a strong competitor? Here's all you need to know about the platform.

Bluesky Social is a free, decentralized microblogging social media client built on the AT Protocol, an open-source technology. In many ways, it is similar to Mastodon, which is a decentralized social network built on the ActivityPub Protocol.

While Bluesky was initially a project within Twitter, it became an independent company in 2021. In 2022, the two companies completely severed their service agreement.

Bluesky Features

The Bluesky app is very similar to X (formerly Twitter). On Bluesky, you can post using text and images. However, as of October 2023, there is no functionality to post videos or GIFs.

You also have the option to switch between algorithmic and chronological following feeds. While X lets you build lists to create custom feeds, Bluesky has feeds with custom algorithms that you can add to your own app.

Because Bluesky is decentralized, you can use a custom domain with your account or join the main Bluesky Social domain. Domains can be used to verify accounts from journalists and public figures, but verification with a blue checkmark is not present on the platform.

There are a few big differences between Bluesky and X. The most obvious is that Bluesky is built on a decentralized protocol, while X is a centralized app.

Bluesky also makes money differently. Rather than monetizing the platform through advertising, Bluesky has a paid custom domain plan. It has also raised $8 million in seed funding. This doesn't mean the platform will remain ad-free forever, but Bluesky has said on the Bluesky blog that advertising can't be its dominant business model due to its decentralized nature.

Another difference between Bluesky and X is that since Bluesky is still in beta, the user base is still relatively small. In October 2023, the platform reached 1.5 million users.

As part of its beta, Bluesky is also invite-only. You need an invite code to join the platform.

How Do Bluesky Invites Work?

To join Bluesky, you need to enter an invite code when signing up for the app. You can get a Bluesky invite code from an existing user or by joining the waitlist. Without a code, you can't create an account on the app.

People with a Bluesky account will occasionally receive codes that they can share. You can find these by tapping the hamburger icon at the top left of the app and checking the invite codes field under your follower count.

How to Create an Account on Bluesky

Once you have a Bluesky invite code, it's relatively easy to sign up for the platform.

To get started, open the Blueksy app and select Create a new account. Then follow these steps:

bluesky invite code menu when creating an account

entering personal details for bluesky app

Choose your hosting provider. Bluesky is the default host. Then select Next.
On the next page, you will need to enter your invite code.
Once you enter your code, you will be asked to enter your email address, password, and birth date.
Finally, enter your user handle and select Next.

And that's all you need to do to create your account. You can also change your Bluesky name if you change your mind in the future.

Download: Bluesky for Android | iOS (Free)

Is Bluesky the Best Twitter Alternative?

You're likely wondering how much relevance Bluesky has, given how much X (Twitter) alternatives have been struggling to succeed.

Due to its relatively simple interface, Bluesky may appeal to people who are intimidated by Mastodon's multiple instances. It has many of the core X features, as well as much more user control over your timeline with custom feeds.

The current lack of ads will also appeal to those who don't enjoy how often ads appear on X.

However, with a much smaller user base, it will take time for Bluesky to be a real competitor. The growth it manages to maintain once it exits beta will be essential to its success as a platform.