Bluesky

Bluesky: The Future of Social Media?

Imagine a world where your data is yours, and you have control over what you share and with whom. That’s the promise of Bluesky, a microblogging platform that aims to revolutionize social media by giving users more power. Is this just another buzzword or could it be the future?

A Brief History

Bluesky began as a research initiative at Twitter in 2019, led by Jay Graber. The project aimed to explore decentralization and give users more control over their data and experience. With an initial funding of $13 million, the team developed the AT Protocol and an authenticated data experiment (ADX). In October 2021, Bluesky Social incorporated as a separate company, becoming a benefit corporation in February 2022. The platform was launched in 2023 as an invite-only service, opening registrations in February 2024.

From Invite-Only to Rapid Growth

The transition from invite-only to open registration marked a significant milestone for Bluesky. How did the platform manage such rapid growth? After launching as an invite-only service, it quickly attracted users who were looking for more control over their data and experience on social media. By November 2024, Bluesky had reached 20 million users, a testament to its appeal.

The AT Protocol: The Backbone of Bluesky

At the heart of Bluesky lies the AT Protocol, an open-source project centered around three main services: Personal Data Server (PDS), Relay, and AppView. How does this protocol ensure user control? The PDS hosts user data in ‘Data Repositories’ utilizing Merkle trees and handles authentication. The Relay serves repositories from various PDS hosts, while AppViews consume data from a Relay and serve it to users.

User Experience and Features

The platform offers features like customizable feeds, filtering content, and anti-toxicity tools. Is Bluesky just another social media site or does it offer something unique? Reviews have praised the platform’s decentralized nature, lack of algorithmic feeds, and prioritization of user control. However, some critics view it as a ‘microblogging site for idealists’ that curates comfortable progressive axioms rather than providing diverse opinions.

Controversies and Growth

Bluesky has faced its share of controversies, including the use of racial slurs on the platform. How did the company handle these challenges? The company apologized, updated its terms of service, and established a trust and safety team to address these issues.

The Future of Bluesky

Bluesky Social is a privately-owned for-profit corporation that owns the AT Protocol. It’s headquartered in Seattle, Washington, and is a benefit corporation allowed to use profits for public good. The company has funding primarily from investors and venture capital firms, and no advertising is available on its service. Bluesky is considering introducing an optional subscription service and user-to-user payment services.

Conclusion

Bluesky stands as a beacon of hope for those seeking more control over their online presence. With its unique approach to social media, it challenges the status quo and offers a glimpse into what the future might hold. Will Bluesky succeed in changing the landscape of social media? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: it’s worth keeping an eye on this innovative platform.