Bots and disinformation test Bluesky’s resilience

Bluesky has seen explosive growth in recent months, surpassing 25 million users. The platform, which promotes decentralisation and user control, gained attention during the US elections and after X’s brief ban in Brazil. Bluesky has become an appealing alternative for those disenchanted with traditional platforms like Meta and X, offering curated features and a community-focused experience.

Rapid growth, however, has introduced significant challenges. Bots and AI-driven accounts have flooded the site, spreading misinformation and cluttering user interactions. The platform’s small team has worked swiftly to combat these issues, increasing its moderation capacity and introducing new tools to tackle impersonation and spam. Despite these efforts, the fight against AI bots and disinformation continues to grow more complex.

Bluesky’s commitment to decentralisation and user control has attracted users frustrated with larger platforms’ power dynamics. Experts caution, however, that the platform faces hurdles in maintaining its integrity while scaling its operations. Political and social fragmentation in online spaces could also limit Bluesky’s growth compared to visual-heavy platforms like TikTok and Instagram, which dominate younger audiences.

As the platform navigates its challenges, its future remains uncertain. Balancing growth, moderation, and user satisfaction will be critical to establishing Bluesky as a sustainable alternative in the competitive social media landscape.