Bluesky user activity continues to soar well into 2025, with trend predictions showing its potential to rival larger, more established social media platforms–especially its top competitor, X (Twitter). But which one should publishers lean towards? Who reigns in the battle between Bluesky vs X (Twitter)?

For publishers, the key concern is: Which platform best suits your audience’s needs? Is it worth joining both? Possibly. Despite the vast migration of media and journalists from X to Bluesky in late 2024, the functioning of these two platforms varies a lot in some ways.

Let’s look at the similarities and differences between Bluesky vs X (Twitter) that could help you decide which space to stay present in and how to show up. 

Similarities between Bluesky vs X (Twitter)

While BlueSky and X face high competition, they are certainly not identical platforms. However, they do have some similarities that could be enough for publishers to choose one over the other if resources for social media management are limited.  

• Engagement in real-time. X’s main draw has always been that it’s a real-time app with the most updated information–Bluesky is right there with it. Both platforms offer quick live updates, discussions on trends in the media, and the ability to immediately engage directly with users to address thoughts and concerns. 
• Micro-messaging. Users on these apps converse primarily in a micro-messaging medium that promotes quick sharing of thoughts, links, images, and other media. It’s perfect for publishers who aim to build community through conversations. 
• Limited text. Both Bluesky and X limit the number of characters users can share–Bluesky allows 300, and X allows 280, which is around the same. The idea is to keep posts short and to the point. 
• Follow for reach. Like most social platforms, Bluesky and X allow users to follow accounts to build a presence and grow a brand’s online reach. While follower counts are not the most important metric, they can help publishers gauge if they’re meeting their target audience. 
• Hashtags. X may have invented the hashtag, but Bluesky jumped right on the bandwagon. Hashtags are powerful tools for helping social media algorithms categorize content to improve visibility, push trends, and connect communities. 

Differences between Bluesky vs X (Twitter)

Bluesky and X both offer different paths for publishers to reach their audiences. It matters more what medium your brand is more comfortable with and which meets your goal for online growth. Keep in mind your team’s bandwidth and ability to navigate multiple platforms while we weigh each one below. 

Decentralization and algorithm functions

This is probably one of the most significant differences between Bluesky and X. For a long time, centralized platforms like X were all there were, meaning the content, moderation activity, and algorithms were all controlled by the app’s owner. Centeralized algorithms prioritize engagement metrics–retweets, likes, comments–helping drive viral posts and trends over other discussions. 

Bluesky’s decentralized structure operates on an open-source AT protocol. This gives users more control over their interactions and data, allowing them to customize their moderation rules. The algorithms are also customizable, allowing users to determine precisely what they get to experience. Users who want to avoid trends or sensational content can program that right in and niche down on their feeds. 

Analytics and verification

X, alongside TikTok and Instagram, allows users to sport a verification badge, which adds credibility to accounts users like to see online. The platform also has robust analytics that help users track metrics like post performance, engagement, and audience demographics, which are helpful for online strategies.  

Bluesky is not quite there yet. Accounts cannot request verification, and it’s unclear whether the platform will offer it in the future. Minimalism is big on Bluesky, and verficiation can elevate certain accounts over others. Regarding analytics, Bluesky users would benefit from third-party tools to help in this area, as the platform currently has no tools to monitor such metrics. 

Moderation of Content 

Because of X’s centralized platform, management heavily controls content moderation. Recently, the platform has been scrutinized for inconsistent moderation, which can be a hassle for publishers, especially when running important social campaigns. 

With content moderation tasks at their fingertips, Bluesky users can customize and moderate their owncontent. The decentralized filters and algorithms promote the personalization of user feeds and conversations. We are certainly in the era of personalized content, so this is a major pro for this platform. 

Community building 

X has long been the powerhouse of community building and, despite recent criticism, continues to lead in this area. Its user base is far more extensive and more established than Bluesky’s. So, while BlueSky has been steadily building its ability to promote audiences and valuable communities, publishers here would establish themselves as early adaptors rather than accessing the mass potential of existing users on X.  

Inferface and user experience 

X’s algorithm controls user feeds, so trending topics and online behaviors determine what shows up on user feeds. This can frustrate some people who find their feeds inundated with viral content. Reach can be easier to achieve in this manner, but users do not always hold unpredictability in high regard. 

There is no algorithm to boost brand visibility on Bluesky–user timelines are in reverse chronological order. This means publishers have to be strategic in their content creation. The focus should be on the platform’s simple and personalized appeal while using data-driven insights from outside sources to align with audience needs. 

Monetization and revenue 

Finally, for publishers looking to monetize their accounts, X is the only option between these two platforms. BlueSky may have potential for future monetization strategies and ways for brands to make revenue directly through the platform. However, currently, X is the only one of the two that does, offering subscriptions and advertising opportunities. 

Which platform works for your audience?

When you compare Bluesky vs X (Twitter), it’s clear each platform has its strengths and vibe. Both have perks and downsides, depending on who you try to reach. It’s up to publishers to know their specific target audience and which path (if not both) aligns with their goals.