Bluesky vs. X: Engagement Drop-Off Trends

Engagement on Bluesky and X is declining, but for different reasons. X struggles with user dissatisfaction and algorithm issues, while Bluesky faces challenges in sustaining activity despite rapid growth. Here's a quick breakdown:

• X: Lost 2.7M daily U.S. users in two months, with engagement rates dropping to 0.015%. Algorithms amplify controversy, and bots dominate content (65% of tweets). Users report dissatisfaction due to irrelevant content, ads, and toxicity.
• Bluesky: Grew from 10M to 38M users in a year but only 11% are active daily. Posts see fewer interactions (median: 3) and rely on a chronological feed, making timing critical. Conversations often lack diverse viewpoints, limiting engagement.

Key Takeaways:

• X is better for viral reach but has declining user satisfaction.
• Bluesky offers steadier engagement but struggles to keep users active.
• Analytics tools like Bluesky Analytics help track trends and improve posting strategies.

Platforms need tailored approaches to regain engagement. X must refine algorithms and address user concerns, while Bluesky should focus on timing and community-driven content.

Bluesky vs X: Pros and Cons Compared! Which Platform Is Better?

Bluesky: How Engagement Drops Off

Bluesky's growth story is a mix of highs and lows. The platform saw a dramatic surge in users, skyrocketing from 10 million in September 2024 to 38 million by September 2025, according to TheBlue.social. However, keeping those users engaged has been a different story altogether. Unique followers plummeted from over 3.1 million to just 282,054. While Bluesky continues to add about 0.5 users every second, only 11% of its registered users are active on a daily basis [5] [2]. This paints a clear picture: expanding the user base is one thing, but sustaining engagement is an uphill battle. To understand why, we need to dig into the factors behind this decline.

What Causes Engagement to Drop

Bluesky's engagement struggles stem from a mix of platform design, user behavior, and external competition. One key factor is its chronological feed, which makes the timing of posts crucial. Shalini Nagar from RecurPost explains:

"Bluesky's straightforward chronological feed makes your posting time more important than platforms using complex algorithms. Posts shared at the right moment catch active users' eyes right away, leading to quick responses that help your content stay visible longer." [3]

Timing is everything here. Posts shared between 11 PM and 6 AM EST see the least traction, while the best engagement happens between 9 AM–12 PM and 1–3 PM EST [3]. On top of that, user behavior plays a role: 62% of Bluesky users are under 34, and about 55% are "lurkers" who consume content passively without interacting [3] [4].

Another hurdle is the lack of diversity in discussions. Research from the University of Zurich and Finland's Aalto University highlights that Bluesky conversations are often dominated by like-minded individuals, with opposing viewpoints making up only 1-2% of participants. This political homogeneity limits the range of discussions and further dampens engagement [2].

Bluesky also faces stiff competition from established platforms. Influencers and newsmakers tend to focus on X (formerly Twitter), where engagement levels are far higher. On average, posts on X see 328 interactions, compared to just 21 on Bluesky [6]. Additionally, Bluesky’s emphasis on fostering meaningful, community-driven conversations over viral content contributes to slower growth. Tamilore Oladipo from Buffer points out:

"Growth on Bluesky is slower but steadier, making it better suited for niche, community-driven content rather than viral reach." [6]

Tools for Tracking Engagement Trends

To tackle these challenges, robust analytics tools are crucial for understanding and improving engagement. Bluesky's built-in analytics remain underdeveloped, so many users rely on third-party tools [7]. One standout option is TheBlue.social's Bluesky Analytics, which offers detailed insights into engagement metrics, follower growth, and network activity. These tools help users navigate Bluesky’s unique timing and audience behavior.

For even broader insights, TheBlue.social provides real-time network statistics, helping users identify trends and optimal posting windows. This is especially useful given Bluesky's median post engagement of just 3 interactions - slightly lower than X (4) and Threads (5) [6].

Interestingly, Bluesky's desktop-heavy audience - 58% of traffic comes from desktop users - spends an average of 10 minutes and 35 seconds per visit. While the overall engagement numbers might seem low, this suggests that users who do engage are spending their time in a more focused way [3]. For a platform prioritizing meaningful interactions over viral content, measuring this kind of "deep engagement" is critical to its growth strategy.

X (Twitter): How Engagement Drops Off

While Bluesky enjoys rapid growth, X is grappling with a steady decline in key engagement metrics, raising concerns about its long-term sustainability. Let’s break down the numbers and the reasons behind this downward trend.

Main Engagement Numbers

X’s engagement metrics paint a challenging picture. The median engagement rate has dropped from 0.029% in 2024 to 0.015% in 2025. In comparison, TikTok boasts a rate of 2.6%, Instagram sits at 0.43%, and Facebook at 0.15%. Tweet frequency has also decreased, falling from 3.31 tweets per week to 2.16, while average likes per post dipped from 37.82 to 31.46. Daily usage now averages just 11 minutes per user - around 3.7 hours per month - far below the engagement levels seen on competing platforms [11][19][12].

However, not all is bleak. Sports teams, for instance, enjoy higher engagement rates, with a median of 0.073% [11]. High-profile accounts remain active, and nano-influencers report engagement rates of 4.6%, significantly outperforming mega-influencers at 1.7% [15][16]. Yet, the platform’s activity is heavily skewed toward a small percentage of users. The top 10% of X users generate 92% of all tweets [13][14]. These power users spend nearly 58 minutes on X daily and post an average of 157 times per month, while the typical U.S. adult posts only once a month [14][16].

These numbers set the stage for understanding why X is losing ground.

Why X Engagement Is Declining

The declining engagement metrics stem from several interconnected issues. One major factor is the platform’s algorithm. Elon Musk himself acknowledged its shortcomings, saying:

"Unfortunately, if the actual reason you forwarded the content to friends was because you were outraged by it, we are currently not smart enough to realise that" [9].

The algorithm often amplifies controversial posts rather than genuinely engaging content, leading to a less satisfying user experience.

Technical issues exacerbate the problem. For example, bots account for over 65% of tweets [10], and 80% of users never comment, creating a largely passive audience [8]. Frequent algorithm updates make it harder for creators to maintain their reach. One analysis of a December 2024 post highlighted dramatic changes in how content is ranked, rendering previous strategies ineffective [9]. Additionally, posts containing external links, such as those directing to YouTube or Substack, are reportedly penalized, making it difficult for creators and journalists to share their work.

User dissatisfaction and migration are also significant contributors. Among scientists surveyed, only 11% actively use X, with nearly 40% deleting their accounts and almost half becoming inactive [17]. Many respondents described the platform as less useful for networking and science communication, with three-quarters finding it harder to stay updated in their fields [17]. Users also cited irrelevant content, excessive ads, spam, and extremist posts as reasons for their dissatisfaction. Ethical concerns about the platform’s perceived tolerance for harassment and misinformation further compound the issue [17]. This discontent is reflected in behavior - 60% of active users took extended breaks from X in the past year [18], with many opting for passive scrolling over active participation [19].

The competition isn’t helping either. Platforms like Threads are poised to surpass X in active usage [8]. Meanwhile, B2B marketers have shown an 18.6% drop in preference for X, while trust in LinkedIn for content promotion has grown by nearly 5% [18].

These challenges underline the complex reasons behind X's engagement decline.

Despite these issues, X’s leadership remains optimistic. Nikita Bier, Head of Product at X, shared:

"The goal for your X timeline is to get out of the mainstream algo and the political crusades and find your niche. You should be able to post about your interests and have friendly, relevant people chime in. If you're seeing gas station fight videos, your account is not ramped up yet. We are working everyday to fix this" [8].

The platform is also moving toward AI-powered customization. Elon Musk has promised:

"The algorithm will be purely AI by November, with significant progress along the way. We will open source the algorithm every two weeks or so. By November or certainly December, you will be able to adjust your feed dynamically just by asking Grok" [8].

However, the success of these changes depends on user adoption. As Andrew Hutchinson from Social Media Today points out:

"People might say they want data control, they want privacy, they want to be able to dictate how their information is used. But really, convenience wins out over all of these concerns" [8].

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Bluesky vs. X: Side-by-Side Comparison

Taking a closer look at the numbers and behaviors on Bluesky and X (formerly Twitter) reveals some striking differences in how users engage and interact on each platform.

Engagement Numbers Comparison Table

The table below highlights key engagement metrics for both platforms, offering a snapshot of their performance:

Metric	X (Twitter)	Bluesky	Time Period
Median Engagement per Post	4 interactions	3 interactions	February 2025 [6]
Average Engagement per Post	328 interactions	21 interactions	Early 2025 [6][3]
Engagement Spread (Standard Deviation)	>5,000	279	Early 2025 [6]
Monthly Active Users	~600 million	39+ million	September 2025 [2][21]
Daily Active Users	132 million	1.5 million	June/September 2025 [25][21]
Median Engagement Rate	2.15%	3–7% (typical range)	January 2025/Current [24][23]

X boasts a massive user base of 600 million monthly active users, dwarfing Bluesky's 39 million. However, the engagement quality tells a different story. While X averages 328 interactions per post, it also shows extreme volatility, with an engagement spread exceeding 5,000. This means a small number of posts go viral, but the majority see minimal interaction.

Bluesky, on the other hand, offers a more consistent experience. With a standard deviation of just 279, creators can expect steadier engagement without the wild fluctuations seen on X. This predictability can be especially appealing for users seeking reliable interaction.

Interestingly, research from Sprinklr indicates that publishers often see 2–10 times more engagement on Bluesky compared to other platforms, even with significantly fewer followers [7]. For example, nearly 50% of scholarly posts on Bluesky received at least 10 likes, and 34.4% were reposted 10 or more times [22]. By contrast, only 4.4% of science-related posts on X reached similar levels of engagement [20].

These numbers highlight the fundamental differences in how each platform operates and sets the stage for understanding their unique user behaviors.

How Users Behave Differently on Each Platform

Beyond the metrics, the way users interact on X and Bluesky further underscores their differences.

X thrives on speed and virality. The platform is built around algorithm-driven spikes, prioritizing real-time news, trending topics, and quick bursts of attention. Posts are often designed to capture immediate reactions, making it a fast-moving, high-pressure environment.

Bluesky, however, takes a more measured approach. Its chronological feed allows conversations to unfold over time, sometimes lasting days. This slower pace encourages deeper discussions and gives posts more longevity [26]. The platform’s decentralized structure also emphasizes community-driven interactions, where users can create custom algorithms, set their own moderation rules, and retain control over their data.

As Andrew Thaler, a deep sea biologist, puts it:

"The community is platform agnostic, they really don't care what platform you are on. What matters is where the people are... Science on Bluesky is kind of the best part of Bluesky. A smaller social network is not necessarily a negative. The engagement is tremendous." [20]

This decentralized model fosters more authentic and thoughtful exchanges, steering away from the algorithm-chasing strategies that dominate X. Bluesky users are more likely to click on shared links and engage with posts referencing scholarly articles. These posts often include original commentary, reinterpretations, or discussions, rather than simple shares [22].

Retention strategies also differ significantly. X's reliance on monetization and algorithmic gatekeeping often limits organic reach, making it harder for users to connect without paid promotion. Bluesky, with its focus on community and user control, creates an environment that encourages long-term engagement. As one researcher aptly noted:

"Bluesky isn't better than Twitter ever was, but it's a hell of a lot better than Twitter is now." [20]

These differences underline the importance of customizing content strategies for each platform. For those looking to track engagement and refine their approach, tools like Bluesky Analytics offer valuable insights into platform-specific dynamics.

Main Findings and What to Do Next

Both platforms are grappling with sharp declines in engagement, though the reasons differ. X has lost 2.7 million active U.S. users in just two months, with daily active users dropping 8.4% from 32.3 million to 29.6 million [1]. As discussed earlier, X's algorithmic approach and Bluesky's timing challenges are key factors driving these trends.

Interestingly, each platform's strengths have also become its weaknesses. X's algorithm enables massive viral reach but leaves most content buried, while Bluesky's community-driven model encourages meaningful interactions but struggles to attract a broader audience. For instance, nearly 48% of scholarly posts on Bluesky garnered at least 10 likes, compared to just 3.9% to 7.5% on X [27]. Still, Bluesky's overall user activity has halved since its peak in November 2024 [21]. These shifts call for targeted strategies to reignite user engagement.

How to Address Engagement Drops

To tackle these challenges, platforms require tailored approaches. On X, consistency and experimentation are critical. While X's average engagement is 328 interactions, the median sits at just 4, meaning success hinges on creating content with viral potential [6].

For Bluesky, focusing on quality over quantity is key. Its chronological feed rewards well-timed, thoughtful posts, making authenticity more valuable than quick takes. As epidemiologist Tara C. Smith explains:

"At Bluesky, though it's significantly smaller, I can have good discussions with people who are interested in my area as well as fellow experts. It serves the same purpose as SciTwitter as far as keeping up with new research, but also is far more amenable to conversation." [20]

Cross-platform posting is becoming increasingly important, but avoid simply duplicating content. Tailor messages to each platform's strengths: use X for breaking news and fast updates, and Bluesky for in-depth discussions and community engagement. Given X's reliance on viral content and Bluesky's preference for authentic dialogue, your strategy should reflect these differences.

Timing also plays a crucial role. Bluesky offers a short window of visibility, whereas X's algorithm can resurface successful posts later. Experiment with posting schedules and track when your audience is most active to maximize engagement.

Using Analytics Tools Effectively

Analytics are now indispensable for navigating these platforms. While X offers extensive data that can feel overwhelming, Bluesky provides limited insights. This makes third-party tools essential for understanding performance.

Bluesky Analytics fills this gap, offering detailed engagement tracking that Bluesky lacks natively. This is especially useful since about 55% of Bluesky users are passive "lurkers", with only 15-20% actively posting [4]. Knowing how your audience interacts - or doesn't - can help refine your approach.

Instead of focusing on individual post metrics, analyze engagement trends over time. Are certain topics consistently resonating? Do specific posting times yield better results? For instance, Bluesky's median engagement dropped from 4 to 3 interactions between early and late February 2025 [6]. Even small tweaks to your strategy can lead to noticeable improvements.

Cross-platform analytics can also reveal broader trends and help you adjust posting times for better results. This is particularly important given Bluesky's more stable engagement spread (standard deviation of 279) compared to X's unpredictability (standard deviation of 5,159) [6].

Ultimately, the key is to adapt as the platforms evolve. As marine conservation biologist David Shiffman puts it:

"Bluesky isn't better than Twitter ever was, but it's a hell of a lot better than Twitter is now." [20]

This shift underscores the need to understand not just where your audience is, but how their behavior differs across platforms. Regularly reviewing analytics will help fine-tune your strategies and keep pace with these changes.

FAQs

::: faq

How can Bluesky boost user engagement and maintain activity on the platform?

To increase user engagement, Bluesky can focus on encouraging users to post during peak activity times and craft posts that include questions to spark meaningful conversations. Adding engaging elements like short-form videos, behind-the-scenes content, and interactive tools like polls or Q&A sessions can tap into popular social media trends and keep users coming back for more.

Building a strong sense of community through genuine and interactive content is essential for maintaining long-term participation. These efforts not only improve the overall user experience but also help create a vibrant and dynamic platform where users feel connected and involved. :::

::: faq

Why are users dissatisfied with X's algorithm, and how can the platform improve engagement?

Users frequently voice frustration with X's algorithm, citing its lack of transparency and a sense that it unfairly favors certain content. Many believe their posts are being suppressed, while low-quality or sponsored content often takes center stage in their feeds. This leaves users, especially those aiming for organic reach, feeling disheartened and overlooked.

To address this, X could take steps to clarify how its algorithm works, helping users better understand what drives content visibility. By emphasizing genuine, meaningful interactions over paid promotions or low-value posts, X could create a space where users feel their contributions are valued and engagement thrives naturally. :::

::: faq

Why is timing important for post visibility on Bluesky, and how can users improve their engagement by posting at the right times?

Timing is crucial for maximizing post visibility on Bluesky. Posts shared during busy periods are more likely to get quick engagement, which can help amplify their reach. Generally, the best times to post are weekday mornings (around 9–11 AM) and evenings (around 6–9 PM). Wednesdays and lunch hours often stand out as particularly active times.

To make the most of this, aim to post when your audience is most active. Scheduling your posts for mid-mornings or early evenings can lead to better visibility and interactions. By consistently posting during these key windows, you can connect with more people and build steady engagement over time. :::