In an impressive surge, Bluesky has welcomed over 700,000 new users within a single week, pushing its total user base to more than 14.5 million, as confirmed by COO Rose Wang to The Verge. A significant portion of this growth is attributed to users in the US, marking Bluesky as a serious contender in the social media landscape. Currently, it holds the position as the second most popular free social networking app in the US App Store, just behind Meta's Threads.

While Threads—an app designed to compete directly with X (formerly Twitter)—has seen its own growth, it’s also recently been fraught with user complaints regarding engagement bait, moderation concerns, and rising misinformation. Many users, including tech pundits like Tom Warren, have expressed dissatisfaction with Threads' algorithmic “For You” feed, which limits user control over content.

Despite its triumph in user numbers—exceeding 275 million monthly users—Threads still pales in comparison to the impressive momentum Bluesky is experiencing. Just a month ago, on October 24th, Bluesky reported having 13 million users. In an astonishing demonstration of user interest, Bluesky recorded 500,000 new registrations in a single day following X’s controversial policy change, which allows blocked users to view content from those who have blocked them.

The timing of these spikes in Bluesky’s user acquisition could also be linked to current events, such as the upcoming US presidential election. Many users are likely seeking alternative platforms that prioritize free speech and community, especially as concerns grow over hate speech proliferating on platforms like X, leading to users—like avid Taylor Swift fans—to migrate to safer spaces online.

Moreover, Bluesky is rapidly enhancing its platform capabilities, recently introducing new features such as pinned posts, video sharing, and direct messaging. These updates are designed to elevate the user experience to match expectations set by its competitors. The platform also allows users to curate custom feeds based on their interests and provides tools for building starter packs to quickly discover familiar content creators.

As Bluesky continues to innovate and attract users, it remains to be seen whether it can sustain this momentum and shape the future of decentralized social networking. With emerging trends showing a shift in social media preferences, users are likely more eager than ever to explore alternatives that align with their values and offer engaging interactions.