The social media landscape is shifting dramatically. Meta's dismantling of fact-checking and X's constant changes, coupled with the antics of its owner, have left many users searching for a more stable, trustworthy platform. Enter Bluesky, created by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, which feels comfortably familiar while addressing many of its predecessors' pitfalls.
What sets Bluesky apart is its commitment to user control and transparency. Unlike traditional social platforms where algorithms dictate your feed, Bluesky lets you choose exactly what content you see. No mysterious content promotion, no sudden policy changes — just a clean, customizable experience that puts you in charge of your social media interactions.
Bluesky's capabilities are also expanding. In February, the service added the ability to restrict replies to just the people following you. You're also able to search for posts directly from a user's profile.
Statista says Bluesky ended 2024 with 25 million users, up from 14.5 million in September 2024. As of this writing, sites that track Bluesky usage estimate around 32 million users.
Ready to give it a try yourself? Bluesky is available through the App Store, Play Store, or your web browser. Let's explore how to join this emerging platform that's putting control back in users' hands.
1. Download the app
You can install Bluesky from the App Store or Play Store. You can also access it through your browser.
2. Create an account
To begin the sign up process, tap Create account.
3. Fill in your details
Provide your email address, create a password, and confirm your birth date before tapping next.
4. Choose a handle
Type in your Bluesky handle. You can choose your full name so you're easily identifiable, or be creative if you want to maintain some level of anonymity.
5. Complete verification
Complete the quick verification process to prove you're not a bot.
6. Set up your profile
Choose a profile picture and tap continue.
7. Personalize your experience
Select your interests to ensure your feed shows content you actually want to see.
8. Start exploring
Tap Let's go! to enter the platform and start discovering the world of Bluesky.
9. Welcome to familiar terriotory
As you start posting and interacting, you'll notice the familiar feel — from the character count to the way conversations thread, it's like early Twitter and it feels great.
Now you've got your Bluesky account set up, you might want to try out other emerging social media services. We've got a look at Flashes, with a guide on how to sign up for this Instagram alternative.
If you're looking for ways to optimize other social media experiences, we've got tips on how to clear your TikTok cache to speed up performance as well as a guide on how to refresh the TikTok algorithm.
