Bluesky, the decentralized social media platform, has achieved a remarkable milestone by reaching 30 million users as of February 2025. The platform's growth has been particularly notable following various policy changes at X (formerly Twitter) and the aftermath of the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
The platform, initially conceptualized by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, has attracted numerous high-profile users, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mark Cuban, and Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Major news organizations like Bloomberg and The Washington Post have also established their presence on the platform.
Led by CEO Jay Graber, Bluesky operates as an independent public benefit corporation and utilizes the AT Protocol, an open-source framework that promotes transparency in development. The platform offers features similar to X, including a 256-character post limit, photo sharing capabilities, and recently added direct messaging functionality.
While the 30 million user mark represents substantial growth, Bluesky still trails behind Meta's Threads, which boasts 275 million monthly active users. The platform's growth rate has shown signs of slowing in recent months.
Recent developments include the introduction of a vertical video feed to compete with TikTok, enhanced moderation tools through the Ozone system, and plans for a premium subscription service called Bluesky+. The platform has also maintained its stance against using user content for AI training, distinguishing itself from competitors. This news comes as major platforms like Spotify recently announced significant API restrictions, specifically limiting access to features that could reveal user behavior patterns and preferences.
The company's revenue model focuses on sustainable alternatives to advertising, including paid services like custom domains. In late 2024, Bluesky secured $15 million in Series A funding to support its expansion and development of new features.
Despite facing moderation challenges and controversies, Bluesky continues to evolve its platform with new security measures, including email verification and improved content filtering systems. The platform now employs approximately 100 moderators to address the increasing volume of moderation reports.