Digital exodus: From X to Bluesky—A shift in social media

The frequent changes in content policies, reliance on advertising revenue, modifications to the blue checkmark system, manipulation of content reach through algorithms, and account blockings by Elon Musk after purchasing Twitter and transforming it into X have led millions of social media users to migrate to Bluesky (BLSKY) as an alternative platform.

Turkish celebrities join Bluesky movement

Several well-known figures, including comedian Cem Yilmaz, actress Farah Zeynep Abdullah, and musicians like Melis Isiten, Kalben, Sebnem Bozoklu, Melek Mosso, and others, have announced their shift to Bluesky.

Yilmaz, who had been heavily criticized for not responding to calls for boycotts and activism, closed his 16-million-follower X account and joined Bluesky. Similarly, Abdullah joined the platform, commenting, “Harbi Elon baydi” (“Honestly, Elon got tiring”).

Bluesky: A rising competitor to X

Initially launched in 2019 as a Twitter project, Bluesky began to gain traction after Twitter’s acquisition by Elon Musk in 2021. As Musk overhauled Twitter’s structure by changing its name, blue check policies, and algorithms, Bluesky’s development was led by Twitter’s former CEO, Jack Dorsey, who left Twitter shortly after Musk’s acquisition.

Dorsey continued to lead Bluesky, aiming to offer an alternative to the centralized nature of current social media platforms. Now, with current CEO Jay Graber at the helm, Bluesky continues to operate as a public-interest company based in Seattle, Washington.

Bluesky gained popularity after Trump’s victory

Though Bluesky did not initially appear to rival X, its most significant surge came in 2024 after Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election. In the same week, the platform gained 1 million new users.

The platform also saw a significant spike in users after X was banned in Brazil in September 2024, gaining 3 million new members in a short time.

Uncertain statistics in Türkiye: Bluesky on rise

Though no official data exists regarding Bluesky’s user base in Türkiye, there have been significant claims of a rising number of Turkish users. As of April 2024, Bluesky saw an influx of about 47,000 new users per month, and some platforms even suggested that over 700,000 Turkish users joined Bluesky in a single day.

The platform’s rapid rise, especially in line with protests in both the U.S. and Türkiye, and the increasing number of Turkish posts and user accounts, points toward the possibility of Bluesky becoming a serious alternative to X in Türkiye.

Key difference: ‘Freedom’ at core of Bluesky

The main appeal of Bluesky lies in its decentralization and the transparency of its algorithms, which allows users to control their content and customize their feed according to personal preferences.

According to Hurriyet, Professor Levent Eraslan, head of the Social Media and Digital Security Research Association (SODIMER), explains: “Unlike X, Bluesky offers users the ability to choose their own algorithms and control the flow of content. After Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, X has been criticized for issues around content regulation, algorithm management, and user security.

The platform’s shift to a more centralized, right-wing, and interventionist approach, alongside its advertisement-driven revenue model, has raised concerns about content manipulation. Bluesky, on the other hand, emphasizes freedom, promising a platform free from content restrictions and user data exploitation.”

This commitment to user freedom and content autonomy, especially for those sensitive to issues of free speech, has made Bluesky an appealing choice for many users. However, Bluesky’s limited user base and its uncertain path to widespread adoption should be taken into consideration.

Will Bluesky face access restrictions in Türkiye?

The Turkish Freedom of Expression Association’s report published on Feb. 25 highlighted that 44 Bluesky accounts, including those of fugitive FETO terrorist group members, have been flagged for blocking under national security and public order concerns.

However, Bluesky did not take any action against these accounts, meaning that they are still accessible from Türkiye.