Jack Dorsey is reattempting to establish a Twitter-like platform with the launch of a new social media service known as Bluesky.
Bluesky has started to garner interest among Twitter’s high-profile users, drawing in influential figures such as US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
The platform, which shares characteristics with Twitter, arises amidst numerous attempts by various applications to capitalize on the upheaval following Elon Musk’s turbulent acquisition of the social media giant.
Here are the key features of Bluesky:
What is Bluesky?
This text-centric social media platform was introduced to a limited group of users in February. It enables users to share short messages that can extend up to 300 characters, alongside images, though it does not currently support video content or direct messaging (DM).
Bluesky is built on a decentralized framework, akin to Mastodon, which empowers users to create personalized social media experiences. Participants can select from various “servers,” each with distinct regulations, themes, and communities.
How does it compare to Twitter?
The user experience on Bluesky resembles that of Twitter, allowing individuals to craft profiles and share brief messages integrated with images. Within the timeline, Bluesky features “What’s hot” and “Following” feeds, paralleling Twitter’s “For You” and chronological “Following” sections.
Unlike Twitter, Bluesky’s foundational structure facilitates extensive customization options. According to a blog post by the company, “Instead of one site running the network, you can have many sites. It means you get a choice of provider, and individuals and businesses can self-host if they want.”
Who is behind Bluesky?
The initiative originated from Dorsey as an internal project at Twitter in 2019 and transitioned into an independent company in 2022. At that time, it successfully raised $13 million (nearly Rs. 105 crore) from Twitter.
Alongside Dorsey, the board includes Jeremie Miller, known for his development of the Jabber/XMPP communication protocol, and Jay Graber, the CEO of Bluesky.
Is Bluesky taking on Twitter?
It is too early to determine its competitive stance. The organization informed Bloomberg News that it boasts over 40,000 users.
The platform started onboarding users from its wait-list earlier this year, noting a significant increase in registrations just last week.
While its user base remains modest, Bluesky has attracted notable personalities, including writer and comedian Dril, particularly amid dissatisfaction with Musk’s leadership over Twitter and recent modifications made to the platform.
© Thomson Reuters 2023
