Revamped Twitter, spearheaded by Jack Dorsey and boasting a decentralized structure, now available for download on the App Store
Twitter users have a new option to test, as Jack Dorsey's latest venture, Bluesky, is now available on Apple's App Store in its Beta version. This new social media app, created by the former Twitter CEO and founder, offers a fresh take on social media, with a focus on transparency, user control, and a more customizable experience.
Key Differences Between Bluesky and Twitter
The key differences between Bluesky and the now X-named Twitter lie in the areas of platform architecture, user control, content moderation, advertising, and community dynamics. Users might consider switching to Bluesky for more control over their experience, fewer ads, greater transparency, and a more customizable social environment.
Decentralization
Unlike Twitter, which is a centralized platform owned by Elon Musk, Bluesky is built on a decentralized protocol called the AT Protocol. This means it is not governed by a single company but allows interoperability among apps and servers.
User Control and Customization
Bluesky offers users greater control over their content feeds and how algorithms prioritize posts. Users can choose or create their own algorithms and customize content moderation settings, including keyword filters and community-driven moderation. Twitter, on the other hand, relies on a centralized, algorithm-based feed and moderation.
Advertising
Bluesky currently runs with no ads, providing a cleaner user experience. Twitter, in contrast, heavily incorporates advertising and monetization options for creators and brands.
Open Source and Transparency
Bluesky promotes platform transparency, being mostly open source. Twitter, however, is proprietary, with opaque algorithms and moderation decisions.
User Base and Scale
Twitter has a much larger user base and built-in analytics, offering broader reach and monetization opportunities. Bluesky’s audience is smaller but growing rapidly, with a focus on niche communities and more authentic engagement.
Identity and Data Ownership
On Bluesky, users own their data and identity and can port this across apps supporting the AT Protocol. Twitter accounts and data are locked into Twitter’s centralized system.
Why Users Might Switch
Users might switch to Bluesky for several reasons:
- A desire for more control over what they see and how content is moderated.
- Preference for an ad-free, less cluttered feed.
- Interest in community-driven and transparent moderation.
- Seeking a more authentic social experience with less algorithmic manipulation.
- The ability to own and port their social identity and data across compatible platforms.
For brands and creators, many choose to use both platforms: Twitter for scale and visibility, and Bluesky for testing ideas and building niche, engaged communities with less noise and more control. Bluesky’s rapid updates and growing features continue to enhance its appeal as a complementary or alternative social platform.
The Story Behind Bluesky
Jack Dorsey first started promoting the idea of Bluesky in 2021, following President Donald Trump's ban on Twitter. The app was initially conceived as a decentralized social network in 2019 as an extension of Twitter, but later became its own platform.
Bluesky's interface is similar to Twitter, but with differences such as asking "What's up?" instead of "What's happening." TechCrunch reports that Bluesky will display updates on the Home timeline with feeds divided into posts and posts & replies.
Dorsey's goal for Bluesky is to be a client of that standard for the public conversation layer of the internet. He believes Bluesky will separate itself from Twitter, slowing down larger platforms' content moderation and reducing their power in deciding who moderates content.
Dorsey wrote on Twitter in 2021 that Bluesky is an initiative to fund an open decentralized standard for social media. Bluesky announced its independence from Twitter early last year.
The Beta version of Bluesky can be downloaded from the App Store, but only by invite. Users interested in joining can submit their email addresses to be added to the waiting list.
- The recently released Bluesky app, a social media venture by Jack Dorsey, differs from Twitter in terms of its architecture, as it operates on a decentralized protocol called the AT Protocol.
- Bluesky provides users with greater control over their content feeds and moderation settings, allowing them to customize algorithms and choose keyword filters, unlike Twitter's reliance on centralized, algorithm-based feeds and moderation.
- In addition to offering an ad-free experience, Bluesky also emphasizes transparency, being mostly open source, in contrast to Twitter's proprietary nature and opaque algorithms.
