Bluesky Traffic Surges 500% Post-Election: Will the popularity last? | Morning in America

Summary

In this discussion, Steve Krakauer explores the rise of Blue Sky, a new social media platform created by Jack Dorsey as a competitor to Twitter (X), and its growing user base, primarily among left-leaning journalists disillusioned with X’s political direction. The conversation also covers the limitations of platforms like Threads and the future of social media, highlighting the need for truly unique platforms that offer more than just imitation features. Krakauer discusses the influence of X in breaking news and political discourse and speculates on potential mergers, particularly between X and Truth Social.

Takeaways

• 😀 Blue Sky is gaining popularity as an emerging social media platform, particularly among left-wing journalists and pundits who feel alienated by X (formerly Twitter).
• 😀 Blue Sky was founded by Jack Dorsey, one of the creators of Twitter, and offers a similar user experience to Twitter, which has driven a shift in its user base.
• 😀 Traffic on Blue Sky has surged by 500% since the 2024 presidential election, with a focus on left-leaning users who are dissatisfied with the direction of X.
• 😀 The Blue Sky user base is relatively small (around 2 million), but its growth represents a significant shift among specific user groups, particularly journalists and pundits.
• 😀 Platforms like Threads, owned by Meta, have struggled to gain traction compared to Blue Sky and X. Threads aims to offer a similar experience to Twitter but hasn’t fully succeeded.
• 😀 The key to long-term success for social media platforms is offering something truly unique, rather than simply replicating existing models, as seen with the rise of TikTok.
• 😀 Many new social media platforms fail because they don't offer anything different enough from what already exists, as demonstrated by the quick rise and fall of platforms like Clubhouse.
• 😀 X (formerly Twitter) remains dominant in the realm of breaking news and fast-paced discussions, particularly in the political sphere, due to its established user base and influence.
• 😀 Despite the growing popularity of Blue Sky and other platforms, X is likely to maintain its status as a major hub for conversations related to politics and current events.
• 😀 The future of social media platforms may include mergers or partnerships, like the potential for a merger between X and Donald Trump’s Truth Social, though the exact impact on platforms like Blue Sky remains uncertain.

Q & A

What is the main reason behind the shift from Twitter (now X) to Blue Sky?

The shift is mainly due to a group of left-wing journalists feeling that Twitter (now X), under Elon Musk's ownership, has moved too far to the right, particularly after Donald Trump's win. These journalists have moved to Blue Sky, a new platform founded by Jack Dorsey, a co-founder of Twitter.

How does Blue Sky compare to Twitter and X?

Blue Sky is very similar in design and function to Twitter (now X), as it was created by Jack Dorsey, one of Twitter's original founders. It has a similar look and feel, making it familiar to Twitter users.

Why has Blue Sky seen a significant increase in traffic?

The significant spike in traffic on Blue Sky is primarily due to left-leaning journalists moving away from Twitter (now X) because of its perceived right-wing shift under Elon Musk's leadership, particularly after the 2020 presidential election.

How large is Blue Sky's user base currently?

Blue Sky's user base is estimated to be around 2 million users, which, while notable, is still relatively small compared to established platforms like Twitter (X) or Facebook.

Who primarily makes up the audience on Blue Sky?

The audience on Blue Sky is largely composed of journalists and pundits who are seeking a more ideologically aligned space for discourse, away from Twitter's perceived shift to the right.

What is the appeal of Blue Sky compared to other social media platforms?

Blue Sky offers a familiar user experience for those who miss the old Twitter, especially for left-wing journalists. However, it lacks a new and unique value proposition to draw a broader audience, unlike platforms like TikTok that offered something fresh.

Why do some social media apps struggle to achieve long-term success?

Many social media apps struggle because they fail to offer something truly unique. Apps that simply replicate existing platforms or provide niche, unoriginal experiences often can't sustain long-term user interest.

What is the key to maintaining popularity in the social media space?

The key to success in social media is offering something new, fresh, and different that meets a real need or desire, rather than just replicating what's already available. Platforms like TikTok succeeded because they provided a unique experience.

What can we learn from the rise and fall of platforms like Clubhouse?

Platforms like Clubhouse can rise quickly but fail if they don't offer something irreplaceable. Clubhouse, for instance, provided live audio chat, but users quickly realized they could do similar things on other platforms without needing a dedicated app.

Do you think X (formerly Twitter) and Truth Social could merge in the future?

It’s possible, but such a merger might benefit Truth Social more than X. Truth Social, owned by Donald Trump, could potentially leverage X's platform to reach a broader audience, although it's uncertain how it would impact X's user base and political dynamics.