3 min read
Social-networking platform Bluesky recently announced it has reached 40 million registered users, a significant milestone in its quest to position itself as a credible alternative to larger players in the micro-blogging world.
Bluesky’s Surge When It Came Out
Bluesky’s growth has been impressive given its origins: launched in invite-only form in February 2023 and opening to the public in 2024, the platform saw rapid uptake in certain periods, including a surge to 15 million users after the U.S. election in late 2024.
Yet the milestone of 40 million is more beyond symbolic than a sign of parity with the giants.
The Comparison: X and Facebook
Consider the benchmarks: X (formerly Twitter) boasts a global user base in the hundreds of millions, with estimates often cited at ~600 million users.
Meanwhile Facebook continues to maintain over a billion active users globally, offering the broadest reach. Bluesky’s 40 million is still a fraction, reflecting both scale challenges and slower feature roll-out.
Where the Gaps Show
- Reach and regional spread: Bluesky remains U.S-centred and niche, whereas X and Facebook operate widely across geographies and demographics. Analysts note Bluesky’s smaller global footprint limits brand and creator appeal.
- Engagement and activity: Despite registration numbers, Bluesky has confronted falling daily active user metrics. According to recent data, daily unique posters dropped meaningfully in 2025 compared to earlier spikes.
- Feature set and creator incentives: X and Facebook offer mature ecosystems for creator monetisation, live-streaming, large audiences and ad infrastructure. By contrast Bluesky is still developing many of those capabilities, which may hinder its attractiveness for brands and professional creators.
- Monetization & sustainability: Claiming 40 million users is strong, yet without proven monetization at scale, Bluesky must prove its business model. Some investors and users remain cautious about whether growth is sustainable.
40 Million is an Achievement, But…
Achieving 40 million registered users is no small feat, so it signals that Bluesky has moved past invite-only novelty. It has won attention, established base adoption, and now enters a phase where retention, engagement and monetisation become critical.
Moreover, the milestone comes alongside new feature roll-outs (such as a “Dislike” button) designed to boost personalization and feed quality.
Bluesky’s rise to 40 million users is commendable, but it still remains far behind X and Facebook in scale, features and monetisation readiness. For Bluesky, there is a crucial need to deepen engagement, broaden creator appeal, and show it can sustain growth beyond the hype-driven moments when users defect from rivals.
