Comparing Twitter vs Bluesky might just seem like a progression of the same old social media debate. But, in reality, they represent two social media platforms with very different goals.
Essentially, Twitter is one of the biggest social media platforms in the world, with over 350 million monthly active users. In comparison, Bluesky is a brand-new service that promises a revolutionary approach to social media through decentralization.
Twitter was launched in 2006 and has been one of the big three social media networks for over a decade. Moreover, it’s a microblogging platform on which users share their thoughts, trending news, memes, and other information in short messages called ‘tweets.’
Bluesky is the newest contender, an initiative started by Twitter’s ex-CEO, Jack Dorsey, in 2019. This decentralized social network’s objective is to rewire the fundamentals of social media through blockchain technology. Early designs show that it offers similar functionality to Twitter.
Twitter vs. Bluesky: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Bluesky | ||
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Social media platform | Decentralized social network |
| Primary use | Sharing information, news, social interaction | Aimed at democratizing social media |
| Conceived | 2006 | 2019 (incubated within Twitter) |
| Initial release | 2006 | Beta release 2023 |
| CEO | Linda Yaccarino | Jay Graber |
| Influential creators | Jack Dorsey, Biz Stone, Evan Williams | Jack Dorsey |
Bluesky vs. Twitter: What’s the Difference?
Let’s look at the differences between Twitter and Bluesky.
Centralized vs. Decentralized Control
One key difference between Twitter and Bluesky stems from their basic structure. Firstly, Twitter operates on a centralized model where a single entity controls the platform.
Bluesky aims for a more decentralized model from the start. The goal is to provide individual users with more control and promote interoperability, meaning allowing for cross-posting between different apps.
User Interface and User Experience
Twitter has a well-established, easy-to-navigate interface that has evolved based on user feedback and testing over the years. Although, it still remains pretty similar to its initial design and layout.
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While Bluesky is still mostly under wraps and is not available publicly, it remains to be seen how user-friendly and intuitive it will be. However, early versions of the app show that it’s very similar to Twitter, both in appearance and functionality.
Content Control and Censorship
On Twitter, the administrators have the power to control content and enforce rules about posting, which can lead to censorship of some content and even the banning of certain users. This central authority has been a point of contention for some users and it’s been newsworthy in the past.
Especially when it comes to banning certain users from the platform. In contrast, Bluesky’s decentralized nature is designed to remove a single point of control, potentially reducing censorship on the platform.
Data Ownership and Privacy
Twitter has complete control over user data. They collect and analyze this data to offer personalized content and ads. This is similar across nearly every major social media platform.
Subsequently, this has raised concerns about user privacy. Bluesky, in theory, would allow users to own their data. As a decentralized network, it promises more transparency and user control over personal data.
Community and User Network
Twitter boasts a large and diverse user base, which means a wide range of content across almost every niche imaginable. This means that there’s a much wider audience for the platform. Just like other popular networks, including Instagram and Facebook, almost everyone has an account.
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Bluesky Social, being a new platform, will initially lack this network effect and large user base; especially since it’s invite-only. However, its proposed interoperability could potentially connect different social media platforms, creating a large interconnected network.
Platform and System Dependency
Twitter exists as a standalone platform. Your Twitter profile cannot interact with posts or users on different social media platforms. However, Bluesky envisions a world where different social media platforms can interact with each other, which could mean a huge shift in the social media landscape.
It’s important to remember that Bluesky is still under development and many of its proposed features and advantages are purely theoretical at this point. The actual user experience will only become clear after its public release.
Twitter vs. Bluesky: 5 Must-Know Facts
- Twitter is a long-running social media platform with over 350 million active users.
- Twitter has centralized control over data and content, including moderation and user banning.
- Bluesky aims to create a user-controlled, decentralized social network.
- Bluesky is designed to provide more transparency and reduce censorship in social media.
- Finally, Bluesky is still not available for public release and is currently only available via invite.
Twitter vs. Bluesky: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Use?
Whether Twitter or Bluesky is better depends on what you’re looking for in a social media platform. If you’re looking for a well-established platform with an active community, a large feature set, and a great user experience, then Twitter might be your best bet. However, keep in mind that Twitter controls the platform and its data.
On the other hand, if you’re enthusiastic about the concept of decentralized social media and don’t mind being an early adopter, then keep an eye out for Bluesky. It promises more control and less censorship, and can lead to the democratization of social media.
Remember, as with all new technology, what matters most is what serves your needs and aligns with your principles. It might well be worth exploring both platforms and deciding for yourself.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Emre Akkoyun/Shutterstock.com.
