Free speech: are Bluesky and Truth Social the needed alternatives to X?

Just days ago, popular Hollywood actress Gabrielle Union joined the now-growing list of public figures who have left and are still leaving social media platform X for other platforms like Jack Dorsey-owned Bluesky.

“We think that the benefits of being on X are now outweighed by the negatives,” the organization said in a column, stating the platform promotes “far-right conspiracy theories and racism”, the news platform said. 

Where are X’s former users migrating to?

While there has been an outflow of users from X, last week, Bluesky—a text-based social media platform similar to X, which shares the same co-founder—experienced a surge in users. This increase was noticeable shortly after former President Donald Trump won the election and appointed Elon Musk to lead a government efficiency department (DOGE).

Before we go on, it is important to note that this article tries to compare X’s competitors, Bluesky and Truth Social, and what they offer to anyone currently thinking of migrating, exploring their appeal, user bases, public perception, and future potential. 

What you should know about Bluesky and Truth Social

X (Twitter) has long been a central hub for public discourse since its inception in 2006. However, its 2022 acquisition by Elon Musk marked a significant turning point, with Musk introducing ambitious changes to promote “free speech” while monetizing the platform more aggressively. 

Bluesky, created by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey and launched in 2023, emerged with a decentralised social media framework at its core. This platform allows users to control their networks and moderation policies, fostering a sense of independence and privacy that differentiates it from its counterparts.

Read also: Bluesky vs Twitter: A serious competitor or a scheme to rattle Elon Musk?

User Base and Numbers

Truth Social, by contrast, caters to a smaller, ideologically specific audience, predominantly within the United States. Reports suggest its active user base struggles to exceed 10 million.

Bluesky, although newer and smaller, has experienced steady growth, reaching around 15 million users by late 2024. Its appeal lies in its decentralized nature, resonating with audiences looking for alternatives to traditional, corporate-controlled social networks.

Design and Features

X offers a robust feature set designed to maximize engagement. Users can create polls, access trending hashtags, and utilise advanced analytics to optimize their content. Monetisation tools, such as subscriptions and ad revenue sharing, make X attractive for creators.

Bluesky prioritises user experience over monetisation. Its open-source framework includes features like “Starter Packs,” which simplify the onboarding process for new users by recommending interesting feeds and accounts. However, it lacks basic features such as trending hashtags and detailed analytics, which some users find restrictive.

Public Perception

X is known for being polarizing. Some users like its wide reach and new features, while others dislike its focus on paid subscriptions and inconsistent content moderation. Truth Social struggles with its reputation as a political platform, which affects its appeal to a larger audience. Critics say its lack of new ideas and closed community hold back its growth.

Bluesky enjoys positive feedback for its commitment to privacy and decentralization. However, its minimalist design and absence of common engagement tools like trending topics and view analytics leave it lagging in functionality.

Truth Social has yet to establish robust monetization strategies, making it less appealing for creators. Bluesky, focusing on an ad-free environment, currently has no monetization options, which might limit its scalability over time.

Read also: 2 years after buying Twitter, has Elon Musk’s quest for free speech been achieved?

Challenges and Future Outlook

X faces ongoing challenges in balancing user satisfaction with revenue generation. Its paid features and rebranding efforts risk alienating loyal users. There is also the need to mention Musk’s new-found romance with Donald Trump, who is seen as an extremist rather than a liberal.

Truth Social grapples with scalability and relevance and is often criticised for serving a narrow audience who are politically inclined towards its owner. Bluesky, on the other hand, though promising, must address feature gaps and scale its user base to compete effectively with larger platforms.

X is expected to maintain its dominance provided it navigates its rebranding and monetisation efforts effectively. Truth Social’s future depends on its ability to attract a broader audience beyond its conservative niche. Bluesky, with its innovative decentralization model, holds significant potential, but its growth will hinge on delivering features that rival its competitors