What the Hell is Bluesky and Why Should You Care?
Writers ahoi
Social media has felt a little… off lately, hasn’t it?
Lately. LOL.
Platforms seem to either be stuck in their ways or making baffling changes no one asked for.
In the middle of all this chaos, a new player has entered the scene: Bluesky.
If you’ve heard the name but aren’t sure what it’s about, you’re not alone. At first glance, it seems like just another Twitter clone.
But under the surface, Bluesky is a little different. Here’s why!
What Exactly Is Bluesky?
Bluesky is a social media platform that looks and feels a lot like Twitter. Or Threads.
But in reality, it’s a lot more like Mastodon. Just better, which isn’t hard.
Twitter similarities
You’ve got character-limited posts, a timeline to scroll through, and a familiar vibe.
This sounds a lot like X.
But that’s where the similarities end. Bluesky’s difference lies in how it operates — it’s built on the AT Protocol, a decentralized system that gives users more control over their data and their social media experience.
Again, more like Mastodon.
Unlike traditional platforms, Bluesky doesn’t rely on a single company making all the decisions about what you see or how your data is used.
Instead, it empowers users to pick their own algorithms and even take their profiles and followers with them to other apps using the same protocol.
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How Bluesky Got Its Start
Bluesky wasn’t built from scratch and it’s no wonder it looks a lot like Twitter because it started as a project inside Twitter.
Back in 2019, then-CEO Jack Dorsey announced that Twitter was funding a team to work on a decentralized social network. The idea was to create a more open, user-focused system that any platform (Twitter included) could use.
Fast forward to today: Bluesky has spun off into its entity.
With Elon Musk’s controversial changes to Twitter leaving many users frustrated and frankly bumped out (including me), Bluesky has become somewhat of a key alternative.
It’s still early and many have tried to beat X, but Bluesky seems to have more traction than others.
Why Writers and Creators Are Loving Bluesky
A few writers I know shared their experience on Bluesky, describing it as a refreshing place for growth, community, and connection.
They initially joined feeling stagnant with their writing and were searching for something new — both in inspiration and networking. After trying Threads and not vibing with it, they gave Bluesky a shot.
What they found was a platform that feels like a resurrection of the old Twitter but without all the ads, spam, and issues.
Here’s What Stood Out to Them:
1. Customizable Feeds
Unlike other platforms that dictate what you see with an algorithm, Bluesky lets you choose your own feeds or even follow multiple feeds. For writers, this means they can focus on what matters to them.
Want to see posts about books? Choose the Booksky feed. Prefer writing prompts or discussions? Switch to the Writing Community feed.
This freedom eliminates the frustration of being shown content you don’t care about, a common complaint with platforms like Threads or Instagram.
2. A Writing Community
The writers highlighted how easy it was to connect with other authors, especially fiction writers, who can be hard to find on other platforms.
That, in part, has something to do with the adoption of Bluesky links and connections on sites like Substack.
3. Real People, Real Conversations
Bluesky feels more personal than X. For now at least. Sure, spam and bots are going to creep in everywhere at some point.
But at this time, the small, growing user base makes it easier to engage in meaningful conversations without the noise of bots or endless ads.
For writers, it’s a space to share ideas, find feedback, and grow their audience organically.
4. A Few Downsides
Of course, no platform is perfect. One drawback is the occasional appearance of NSFW content sneaking into feeds due to misused hashtags.
Nothing new. That stuff is everywhere too. Just ask Substack.
How Bluesky Stands Out as a Twitter Competitor
With Twitter/X facing backlash, to put it mildly, Bluesky is a chilled, low-key competitor that offers much of the same experience without the major issues.
And some unique benefits:
Decentralization: You own your data and can take it with you if you leave.
Algorithm Choice: Pick feeds that match your interests instead of being force-fed content.
Community Building: Smaller scale and thoughtful design encourage genuine connections.
Is Bluesky Worth It
Let’s be real. We really don’t need more social media. If anything we need less.
But for those who don’t use anything else, Bluesky might just be a good place to start.
Bluesky has its limitations. The app doesn’t have all the features, it’s small(ish), and growing will take time.
Other than that, I can see why many people enjoy Bluesky more than X right now.
It feels like the early days of Twitter but without the noise.
The writing community is easy to connect with.
There’s potential for growth is small but there.
Bluesky has potential, I’d say.
Why You Should Care
Honestly, if you’re fine with what you have, you shouldn’t care.
If you want to leave X, Bluesky is worth trying.
If you have no social media (God bless you), Bluesky won’t freak you out (as much) as the others.
In the end, Bluesky is just another social media app — sure, the decentralization sounds cool, but to most, this doesn’t really matter.
You can also just use Substack Notes. It’s social media for writers, basically.
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