As Twitter continues to face criticism over its recent decisions, more and more users are turning to the invite-only app Bluesky, which was initiated by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey in 2019. According to Data.ai, Bluesky has been downloaded by iPhone users 245,000 times, with over half of those downloads occurring this month alone. The app recently added an Android version as well.
Bluesky, which aims to provide a more open social protocol and standard, allows any service to plug in and interact. The app is described by project leader Jay Graber as "a very simple microblogging format to show how Twitter could have been built" on its protocol. The app allows 300-character posts and replies, reposting, and photo sharing, with a smoother onboarding process than alternative service Mastodon.
One of Bluesky's main selling points is its more open approach to user handles. Users can use their web domain address as their handle on the service, granting a self-verification option and potentially the freedom to move to a different server or service with the same username. This stands in contrast to Twitter's recent decisions, which included the removal of legacy verification marks and the introduction of an $8-a-month subscription service that many users have criticized.
Bluesky's close affinity with Twitter, coupled with its user-friendly features, has made it an attractive alternative for those looking for a credible alternative to the social media giant. With more and more users turning to Bluesky, it remains to be seen whether the app can continue to gain traction and become a real contender in the social media market.