Bluesky experienced rapid user growth in late 2024. The platform's user base expanded from 14.5 million in October 2024 to 38 million by August 2025, showcasing its increasing popularity among social media users seeking new options. Surge in downloads and user engagement The platform's growth was particularly notable following the U.S. presidential elections in November 2024, when monthly downloads surged to 7.35 million. This increase in user adoption coincided with rising demand for Twitter alternatives. Earlier in the year, Bluesky had already shown strong performance, with 38,000 downloads from Android devices and 30,000 from iOS devices in July 2024. Moderation challenges and user demographics As Bluesky's user base expanded, so did the need for content moderation. In 2024, the platform received 6.48 million reports to its moderation service, a significant increase from 358,000 reports in 2023. These reports included 1.75 million for anti-social behavior, 1.2 million for misleading content, and 1.4 million for spam.

As of April 2025, 26.42 percent of global Bluesky.com visitors were aged between 25 and 34 years. Additionally, just under one third of users were aged between 18 and 24 years.

As of April 2025, ***** percent of visitors to the bsky.app website were male. Additionally, as of the end of 2024, the decentralized social platform had a total of ** million users, up from **** million in October 2024.

The microblogging platform Bluesky, which launched in February 2023, has been suggested as a Twitter substitute. As people look for a suitable replacement for the text-based social media platform, demand for Bluesky is rising. After the U.S. presidential elections in November 2024, monthly Bluesky downloads surged to *** million. In March 2025, downloads returned to a steady *** million per month.

The decentralized social media (DSM) software market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by increasing concerns over data privacy, censorship, and centralized control of online platforms. The market, currently estimated at $500 million in 2025, is projected to witness a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 30% from 2025 to 2033, reaching approximately $4 billion by 2033. This expansion is fueled by several key trends: the rising adoption of blockchain technology, the growing demand for user-owned data, and a surge in interest in Web3 applications. The key application segments are personal use and enterprise solutions, with cloud-based deployment leading the way. While the market faces challenges like scalability issues, user experience limitations, and the need for enhanced security measures, the inherent advantages of decentralization – increased transparency, censorship resistance, and improved data security – are powerful drivers of market expansion. The competitive landscape is dynamic, with a multitude of platforms, including Minds, Mastodon, Bluesky, and others, vying for market share. This competition fosters innovation and drives the evolution of the DSM ecosystem, leading to the development of more robust and user-friendly platforms. Regional growth is anticipated across all regions, with North America and Europe expected to maintain a significant market share due to higher technology adoption rates and strong awareness of decentralized technologies. However, rapid adoption in Asia-Pacific and other developing regions is anticipated, potentially leading to a more balanced global distribution in the coming years. The success of the DSM market hinges on overcoming technical and adoption challenges. This includes improving the overall user experience, enhancing interoperability between different platforms, and addressing scalability limitations to support a larger user base. Furthermore, education and awareness campaigns are crucial to attract both individual users and businesses, highlighting the benefits of decentralized social media in terms of privacy, control, and community governance. As the technology matures and the user base expands, the DSM market's growth trajectory is expected to remain strong, potentially transforming the social media landscape as we know it. The integration of innovative features such as decentralized identity solutions and improved content moderation mechanisms will further contribute to the growth and mainstream adoption of these platforms.

The decentralized social media (DeSo) software market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by increasing concerns over data privacy, censorship, and the centralized control of traditional social media platforms. The market's expansion is fueled by a growing user base seeking platforms that offer greater control over their data and online interactions. While precise figures for market size are unavailable, considering the current user base of established platforms like Mastodon and the significant investment and development in emerging platforms like Bluesky and Lens Protocol, a conservative estimate for the 2025 market size would be around $500 million. Considering a projected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 30% from 2025-2033, this suggests substantial market expansion, potentially reaching over $6 billion by 2033. Key drivers include heightened user demand for greater autonomy and transparency, the development of more user-friendly interfaces, and ongoing improvements in blockchain technology facilitating scalability and accessibility. Trends indicate a shift toward interoperability between different decentralized platforms, fostering a more interconnected and decentralized social media ecosystem. However, challenges remain, including the complexities of blockchain technology for the average user, scalability issues for some platforms, and the potential for fragmentation within the decentralized landscape, which may hinder widespread adoption. The market segmentation shows a diverse range of platforms catering to various needs and preferences. Some platforms, like Mastodon, emphasize open-source development and community governance, while others, like Bluesky, are backed by significant venture capital and focus on ease of use. Notably, platforms leverage different blockchain technologies and approaches, highlighting the evolving nature of this sector. Companies such as Minds, Diaspora, and Steemit are established players, continuously evolving to compete with newer entrants and technological advancements. While regional data is currently absent, early adoption trends suggest strong interest in North America and Europe, followed by Asia-Pacific and other regions. Further growth is contingent on addressing challenges related to user experience, scaling infrastructure, and fostering wider mainstream adoption.

As of February 2025, *********** of all users of decentralized social media platform Mastodon were aged between 25 and 34 years. *********** users were aged between 18 and 24 years. Mastodon and Bluesky are decentralized social networks where control and data are distributed across multiple independent servers.