Twitter alternative Bluesky is fun, friendly, and kind of empty

Since Elon Musk's Twitter takeover, the platform has faced numerous challenges, prompting the search for viable alternatives. While Mastodon initially garnered attention, the decentralized social network Bluesky is emerging as a stronger contender.

Backed by Jack Dorsey, Bluesky's design bears a striking resemblance to Twitter, even sharing a similar color scheme. However, our recent experience reveals both its strengths and weaknesses.

A Small, but Potentially Welcoming, Community

Bluesky's current closed beta status significantly limits its user base to just over 100,000 users – a tiny fraction of Twitter's audience. This creates a noticeably intimate environment, with a limited range of content and frequent repetition from the same users. Major news outlets are either absent or minimally active, resulting in a less comprehensive news feed compared to Twitter. While this might be a drawback for those seeking breaking news, it could also be appealing to users seeking a less overwhelming social media experience.

A Positive and Inclusive Atmosphere

The limited access has fostered a community with a distinct, generally positive and inclusive tone. Many users express politically liberal views, and there's a strong emphasis on LGBTQ inclusivity. The content leans towards lighthearted posts, including many pet photos and friendly interactions. This reflects a common phenomenon in the early stages of social media platforms, where a smaller, more homogeneous user base shapes the overall atmosphere.

A Work in Progress: Beta Limitations

As expected from a platform in beta, Bluesky experiences occasional glitches. These range from delays in post updates and inaccurate follower counts to intermittent notification issues and periods of feed inactivity. While these issues are typical for beta software, they might frustrate users accustomed to a seamless social media experience. Patience is advised until the platform's public launch.

Navigating the Familiar, Yet Different, Interface

Bluesky's interface strongly resembles Twitter's, potentially causing initial confusion. However, key differences exist, primarily in the feed structure. Instead of Twitter's two feeds, Bluesky offers three default feeds: "Following" (chronological), "What's Hot" (algorithmic), and "Popular With Friends" (a hybrid). Additional feeds can be discovered and customized, offering a high degree of personalization. While creating custom feeds currently requires coding knowledge, Bluesky aims to simplify this process in the future.

Robust Content Moderation Tools

Bluesky prioritizes content moderation, making its tools readily accessible. Users can easily manage muted and blocked accounts, create custom mute lists, and adjust sensitive content filters with granular control over various categories (sexual content, violence, etc.). This user-friendly approach contrasts with Twitter's potentially less intuitive moderation features.

Conclusion: A Promising Alternative, But Still Developing

Bluesky offers a compelling alternative to Twitter, particularly its strong content moderation and customizable feeds. However, its small user base and ongoing beta limitations should be considered. Whether it will ultimately replace Twitter remains uncertain, but it presents a promising direction for the future of decentralized social networking. Getting an invite code remains a challenge, but those seeking a more positive and less overwhelming experience might find it worthwhile to join the waitlist.

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