Bluesky, a rapidly growing social networking platform, has seen an unprecedented surge in users following the U.S. election. With over 700,000 people joining the platform, many are seeking a safe space away from hate speech and misinformation proliferating on Elon Musk’s X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
Bluesky’s global user base has jumped from 9 million in September to 14.5 million, driven by significant engagement from North America and the United Kingdom, according to company reports.
Swifties lead the charge: Fans leave X amid political concerns and election
Taylor Swift’s fans, commonly known as Swifties, were among the first to abandon X following Donald Trump’s election win. In the wake of Trump’s victory, reports suggest that Musk—a high-profile supporter of Trump—donated over $100 million to pro-Trump political action committees and amplified Trump’s agenda to a predominantly right-leaning male audience on X. Swifties, whose online presence has long been strong on X, began exiting the platform within 48 hours of the election.
Justin, a Swift fan active on Bluesky under the handle @justin-the-baron.swifties.social, expressed his relief in leaving X. “I love the idea of building a new community here and would love not to have to support Elon in any way,” he said. “Elon is of course a big Trump supporter, which doesn’t align with Taylor’s values or the values of Swifties.”
Irene Kim, an organizer of “Swifties for Kamala,” echoed similar sentiments, citing an influx of misogynistic and offensive content on X after the election as a key reason for the migration. She described Bluesky as “a safer and more welcoming community.”
Toxic language spikes as hate speech surges
Studies indicate that hate speech and misinformation on X have intensified since Musk’s takeover, with the Institute for Strategic Dialogue reporting a 4,600% spike in phrases like “Your body, my choice” on election night—echoing far-right rhetoric from white supremacist Nick Fuentes.
Users like Kim and Justin note a dramatic difference in the atmosphere on Bluesky. “The Swifties are here, and I, for one, welcome our new overlords,” one user remarked. “Bluesky literally feels like a social media app again, where I’m just connected with my community or like other interesting posts,” Kim added. “People aren’t as geared up to fight you.”
Bluesky as a “Refuge” for disenfranchised users
Social media analyst Axel Bruns notes that Bluesky has positioned itself as a haven for users seeking a more controlled and supportive environment. “It’s become a refuge for people who want to have the kind of social media experience that Twitter used to provide, but without all the far-right activism, the misinformation, the hate speech, the bots, and everything else,” Bruns told The Guardian. Bluesky offers an increasingly appealing alternative for users tired of X’s volatile environment by deploying a robust approach to moderating disruptive behavior and swiftly suspending problematic accounts.