“I’m leaving here, you can read me on Bluesky.” This message, along with others like it, has been filling X (Twitter) feeds for days. The social network, which in the past made things difficult for Elon Musk’s app, is back in action. Bots from Asian countries, misinformation, and waves of hate are driving many users to search for new platforms. Bluesky is becoming the go-to service for Twitter users frustrated with the direction X (Twitter) is heading.
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Starting with any new social network can be a challenge. You have to learn how it works, follow new users, get them to follow you back, and, worst of all, wait for enough content to keep it interesting. However, if you’re considering making the switch to Bluesky, there’s good news: its interface and features are similar to X (Twitter), so the learning curve will be minimal.
And we’re not exaggerating: if you download the app, you’ll notice that almost the entire interface is identical to X (Twitter). It has the same buttons, very similar sections, profile pages with the same kind of information, and an aesthetic that could easily be seen as an update to Elon Musk’s social network rather than a completely different app.
But before we dive into how it works, let’s cover the basics. If you want to switch to Bluesky, you’ll need an account. There’s one important detail you should know before finalizing your entry into the social network.
How to Open an Account and Register on Bluesky
If you’ve signed up for other social networks, registering on Bluesky will be easy. Simply download the app for iOS or Android, open it, and click on ‘Register.’ The service will ask for a few personal details, such as your date of birth and your desired username.
The process is quick and takes less than a minute. However, there is one step where you should be careful. We’re talking about the servers. To avoid confusion, it’s best to leave the server option as it is if you want to use Bluesky as a standard user.
After that, you just need to add a profile picture and choose some categories of interest so the algorithm can show you posts related to your preferences. Don’t worry, we’ll explain more about this and the feeds later.
How Bluesky Works
The main difference between Bluesky and X (Twitter), as well as most social networks, is that Bluesky is decentralized. It uses a protocol called Authenticated Transfer Protocol, which allows the network to consist of multiple independent servers that interact with each other.
In simple terms, each server operates independently and can be managed by different people who set their own rules. Think of Bluesky as the planet Earth, and the servers are like the countries that make it up. However, the most common choice is to join the general server, as it already offers certain advantages over X (Twitter) that you’ll likely enjoy.
In day-to-day use, Bluesky works very similarly to X (Twitter). Its virtually identical interface makes it easy to use from the start. The feeds are almost the same, the publish button is in the same place, posts have a similar aesthetic, and the response/repost/like format is identical.
You also have tabs for direct messages, search, and notifications, which, as we’ve mentioned throughout the article, function almost the same way as on X (Twitter).
What Advantages Does It Have Over X (Twitter)?
Despite their similarities in aesthetics and some functionality, Bluesky differs significantly from X (Twitter) in how it displays content and gives users control over customization. The social network was created with the goal of being more transparent and letting users choose the algorithms for their feeds, which is driving its growing popularity.
In essence, Bluesky allows you to choose the recommendation algorithm you want. Through its ‘Feeds’ section, you can customize what you see, when you see it, who you see it from, and many other options that aren’t available on Musk’s app. Additionally, you can create multiple feeds with different recommended content, allowing you to see specific types of posts in each feed.
The customization options on Bluesky are extensive. For example, you can set up a feed where you read posts from people you follow, along with all the posts they have liked. You can also create feeds based on accounts your friends follow and interact with. The possibilities are nearly endless.
The goal is to give you full control over what appears in your feeds at any given time, so you won’t have to see content you’re not interested in, as often happens on X (Twitter).
This is further supported by Bluesky’s approach, which prioritizes absolute transparency, the use of independent servers, and a completely public data processing and management policy. Additionally, all moderation details are available to users—something that X (Twitter) keeps hidden.
Lastly, Bluesky is ad-free. However, with its recent growth, this could change, and advertising may eventually appear in the app. Given how the social network handles other sections, this should not be an issue for most users.
You can register and start using Bluesky via their website, the Android app, or by downloading the app from the App Store for iPad or iPhone.
