Bluesky's Growth Slows Despite Reaching 38 Million Users

Social media platform Bluesky has reached 38 million total users but faces declining post volume and slowing growth rates, according to recent data confirmed by CEO Jay Graber. The platform added 8 million new users since March 2025, marking a significant decrease from its peak growth period in late 2024.

The platform's deceleration comes as competitors Meta's Threads and X continue to dominate the social media landscape with 350 million and 600 million users respectively. This shifting dynamic raises questions about Bluesky's long-term viability in the increasingly competitive social media marketplace.

Growth Trajectory and Market Position

Bluesky's user acquisition has seen dramatic changes over the past year. After maintaining approximately 5 million users until August 2024, the platform experienced a surge, adding 15 million users in just three months. However, this momentum has significantly decreased, with monthly user growth dropping from 5 million to 1.6 million users.

The platform's current growth rate, while still positive, suggests it may struggle to position itself as a serious challenger to larger platforms. This slower expansion coincides with reports of declining post volume, despite the growing user base. According to Reuters' technology coverage, emerging social platforms face increasing challenges in maintaining sustainable growth.

User Engagement Metrics

The platform faces several critical challenges in maintaining user engagement:

• Declining post volume despite user growth
• Limited conversation volume across trending topics
• User abandonment due to perceived lack of activity
• Absence of centralized trend tracking

Strategic Development and Future Outlook

Jay Graber's leadership team now faces mounting pressure to address these issues while managing increasing operational costs. Industry experts suggest the platform may need to introduce paid features to ensure long-term sustainability.

For potential users and businesses considering Bluesky as a social media channel, several key considerations emerge:

1. Evaluate topic-specific engagement before committing resources
2. Monitor the platform's evolving monetization strategy
3. Consider the platform's dedicated but smaller user base when planning social media strategies

The platform's future success may depend on its ability to secure exclusive content and maintain its core user base while addressing declining engagement metrics. As social media dynamics continue to evolve, Bluesky's trajectory will offer valuable insights into the sustainability of alternative social platforms in a market dominated by established players.