The Great Social Media Shift: News Influencers Flock to Bluesky, But X Remains Supreme
In a significant development that’s sending ripples across the social media landscape, a new report from the Pew Research Center reveals that news influencers are increasingly turning to Bluesky, a Twitter replacement that gained popularity after Elon Musk’s takeover of the platform in 2023. However, despite this growth, the majority of news influencers are holding on to their X (formerly Twitter) accounts, suggesting that the platform still remains a vital hub for online discourse.
According to the report, the number of news influencers on Bluesky roughly doubled from 21% to 43% in the four months following the 2024 US presidential election. This surge in adoption can be attributed to the fact that Bluesky offers a similar experience to Twitter, but with features that many users had grown accustomed to before Musk’s takeover. The Pew Research Center defines news influencers as individuals who regularly post about current events and civic issues on social media, with a minimum of 100,000 followers on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, or YouTube.
Interestingly, the report found that about half of the news influencers who joined Bluesky did so after the 2024 election, with many of them being "largely people on the political left." This demographic shift is reflected in the types of content being shared on Bluesky, which often leans towards progressive views. Despite this, the majority of news influencers on Bluesky still maintain an active presence on X, with 37% of them having accounts on both platforms.
One key statistic that stands out is that 82% of news influencers still have an account on X, highlighting the platform’s enduring popularity. Furthermore, news influencers on X are significantly more active than those on Bluesky, with 83% posting at least four times a week, compared to just 21% on Bluesky. This suggests that while Bluesky is gaining traction, X remains the go-to platform for news influencers to share their thoughts and engage with their audience.
The report’s findings have significant implications for the future of social media, particularly in the context of online discourse and the dissemination of information. As social media platforms continue to evolve, it will be interesting to see how news influencers adapt and navigate these changes. For now, it seems that X and Bluesky will coexist, catering to different user preferences and needs.
In conclusion, the great social media shift is underway, with news influencers exploring new platforms like Bluesky while still maintaining a strong presence on X. As the online landscape continues to shift, one thing is certain – the way we consume and interact with information will never be the same.
