As the political and social media landscapes continue to evolve, we find ourselves reflecting on a time when we could rely on certain platforms to stay informed and perform our roles effectively. Whether it was through a carefully curated RSS feed or an active presence in a specialized tech listserv, many of us built our professional knowledge and networks based on the information we consumed daily.
For the past 16 years, Twitter has been a central hub for news, entertainment, and professional networking. However, with recent changes to the platform—especially following its acquisition by Elon Musk and subsequent transformation into X—the reliability and functionality that once made Twitter indispensable has been significantly altered.
As familiar features such as verification and the block function were removed, and as X began to shift its focus, the search for a viable replacement platform became more urgent. Alternatives like Spoutible, Mastodon, Threads, and Blue Sky were explored, but none seemed to fully replicate the utility and engagement of the old Twitter—until recently.
After giving Blue Sky another try over the past weekend, I can confidently say that the platform has emerged as a strong contender, particularly for those of us in communications, political circles, and industry-focused discussions. With major outlets like The Guardian pulling back from X, and users increasingly leaving the platform, Blue Sky has gained momentum, particularly in the UK, where it is now seeing higher engagement than both X and Threads. For those of us who are accustomed to a more curated and manageable feed, Blue Sky offers a refreshing sense of control and organization.
Key Takeaways from My Experience on Blue Sky:
- No Link Suppression – Unlike many platforms, Blue Sky allows links to be shared without restriction, making it an ideal space for distributing content from your Substack, company updates, and other valuable resources.
- No Algorithmic Curation – Blue Sky offers a chronological feed based on the people you follow, ensuring that the content you see is directly aligned with your network and interests.
- Chronological Feed – Content appears in real-time, allowing for a transparent and unfiltered flow of information.
- Unlinked Quoted Posts – Blue Sky allows users to quote posts without automatically linking back to the original post, providing more flexibility in content sharing.
- Mass Block Functionality – Users can block accounts based on keywords or terms found in their usernames or descriptions, enhancing your ability to maintain a focused network.
- Ad-Free Experience – Currently, Blue Sky operates without ads and remains free to use, with a team of only 20 employees managing the platform.
- No Edit Button – Blue Sky maintains a commitment to unedited, real-time content—there is no option to edit posts once shared.
- Video Support – Videos of up to 59 seconds are supported, enabling users to share brief multimedia content.
- Starter Packs – These are akin to Twitter lists and are created by individuals to help users follow a curated group of accounts. You can bulk-follow a collection of accounts based on your professional or personal interests.
For those who have yet to fully transition away from Twitter, Blue Sky offers a Bridge feature that allows you to import your Twitter audience, provided your username and profile name are consistent across both platforms.
To get started, you can search for relevant Starter Packs in your field of interest or follow individuals who are active in those spaces. As with any new platform, there may be a settling-in period before company and product accounts fully integrate, but Blue Sky’s aim for a more civil and user-controlled experience is clear.
We all look forward to seeing how Blue Sky continues to evolve and to engaging with colleagues, partners, and peers on this exciting new platform.
