Invite-only microblogging site Bluesky finally records 1 million users

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Unlike regular social media platforms, anyone can download the Bluesky mobile app but access to the site is only extended when the user provides an invite code
Bluesky

Bluesky, a relatively new social media site with an exclusive membership policy, has crossed the 1 million user mark. Rose Wang, a Bluesky employee, announced the feat on X (Twitter) with an image that displayed “1,000,055 users). Interestingly, the announcement post was made on X, a major rival. 

Some hours before breaking the news, Wang teased her followers with a post. “The other app 🦋 that’s similar to this one is going to hit 1M users today,” she wrote. For an average social media site, hitting a million users is not much to celebrate, but Bluesky’s case is different. 

Unlike regular social media platforms, anyone can download the Bluesky mobile app but access to the site is only extended when the user provides an invite code. Despite being an exclusive platform, the demand for access has constantly grown. In May this year, a report detailed how invite codes sold for between $120 and $6,900.

Former Twitter (now X) owner Jack Dorsey created the idea of Bluesky. As such, it is no surprise that the platform’s interface closely resembles X’s. Like X’s user interface, Dorsey’s new site’s interface features algorithmic choice, a federated design, and community-specific moderation. 

Dorsey originally intended for Bluesky to be a model for decentralized social media, a standard he hoped X (which he owned at the time) would someday emulate. Following Elon Musk’s takeover, that vision failed. While the site is only just celebrating 1 million users, it hit 1 million app installations back in July. 

It is worth noting that app downloads do not translate into users as potential members need to provide an invite code. While it took Bluesky approximately 4 months to attain 1 million installs, Threads, another Twitter rival, recorded 30 million sign-ups within 24 hours. This number is expected given the popularity of Meta, its parent company. Moreover, registering for Threads is relatively straightforward. 

Bluesky social

Read also: Bluesky vs Twitter: A serious competitor or a scheme to rattle Elon Musk?

More on Bluesky 

As mentioned, potential members of the site must have an invite code that enables them to create an account. When creating an account, the usual requirements for a social media site exist. These include profile photos, background images, and biographies. 

Like X, users can make posts using 256 characters which may include photo attachments. Users can reply to posts on their timelines, like them, and even share them. Like X or Facebook, users can search and follow people they are interested in. Bluesky account holders can also check out trending posts via the “What’s Hot” section. 


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