2025 Study: Engagement Trends on X, Threads, Bluesky
In 2025, social media platforms X, Threads, and Bluesky showcased distinct engagement trends, reshaping how users and businesses interact online. A study analyzing 1.7 million posts revealed key differences:
- X: Highest potential for viral content with an average of 328 engagements per post but highly unpredictable (standard deviation of 5,159). Best for trending topics and fast-paced content.
- Threads: More consistent engagement with a higher average engagement rate (4.51%) and median interactions per post (5). Ideal for building steady, discussion-driven engagement.
- Bluesky: Niche-focused with smaller, tight-knit communities. Average engagements per post are 21, with a narrower spread (standard deviation of 279). Best for specialized content.
Key Stats:
- Threads leads in engagement rate (4.51%) compared to X (2.31%).
- Bluesky attracts niche audiences with steady but lower engagement.
- X remains dominant in total average engagements but is less predictable.
Quick Comparison
| Platform | Avg. Engagement Rate | Median Interactions/Post | Avg. Total Engagements | Engagement Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | 2.31% | 4 | 328 | 5,159 |
| Threads | 4.51% | 5 | 58 | 628 |
| Bluesky | N/A | 3 | 21 | 279 |
Engagement patterns also vary by demographics. Threads leads in mobile users (141.5M daily) but lags in web usage. X remains dominant among Gen X and Boomers, while Bluesky attracts left-leaning news influencers and niche communities.
To succeed across platforms:
- Use X for viral, fast-moving content.
- Post consistently on Threads for reliable engagement.
- Target niche communities on Bluesky with specialized content.
Tailor your strategy to each platform for better results.
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{2025 Social Media Engagement Comparison: X vs Threads vs Bluesky}
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Engagement Metrics Across Platforms
Average Engagement Levels
The data reveals how engagement plays out differently across platforms. For instance, Threads outperformed X with an average engagement rate of 4.51% compared to 2.31% [3]. This means that nearly double the percentage of viewers interact with content on Threads versus X. Median engagement rates tell a similar story: Threads maintained a median rate of 3.60%, while X dropped to 2.15% by January 2025 [3][6]. For content creators, this suggests Threads offers more consistent engagement, rewarding steady posting with reliable results. These averages set the stage for a closer look at how each platform stacks up overall.
How Each Platform Performs
Beyond averages, performance metrics paint a clearer picture of each platform's strengths. X led in total average engagements per post, clocking in at 328, compared to 58 on Threads and 21 on Bluesky [1]. This highlights X’s potential for viral reach - most posts might see modest engagement, but some achieve numbers that far exceed the norm.
The standard deviation of engagement rates further underscores the differences. X had a spread of 5,159, illustrating its unpredictable nature, while Threads had a spread of 628 and Bluesky 279 [1]. As Tamilore Oladipo from Buffer explained:
"X is the best platform for viral reach, even though posting there means you run the 'risk' of modest engagement"
[1]
These metrics are summarized in the table below for clarity:
| Platform | Avg. Engagement Rate | Median Interactions/Post | Avg. Total Engagements | Engagement Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | 2.31% [3] | 4 [1] | 328 [1] | 5,159 [1] |
| Threads | 4.51% [3] | 5 [1] | 58 [1] | 628 [1] |
| Bluesky | N/A | 3 [1] | 21 [1] | 279 [1] |
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User Demographics and Platform Usage
Daily Active Users by Platform
User activity across platforms reveals some striking differences. As of January 7, 2026, Threads boasts 141.5 million daily active users on mobile devices (iOS and Android), surpassing X's 125 million mobile users [9]. However, when it comes to web usage, X remains the clear leader, with 145.4 million daily visits compared to Threads' modest 8.5 million [9]. This contrast highlights X's dominance on desktop while Threads continues to thrive on mobile.
Generational trends also play a significant role. Among Gen Z, 33% use X daily, 26% turn to Threads, and 21% prefer Bluesky [4]. Millennials follow a similar pattern, with 37% engaging with X, 27% with Threads, and 21% with Bluesky [4]. The gap widens with older generations: 23% of Gen X users are active on X daily, compared to 15% on Threads and just 9% on Bluesky. Baby Boomers show even lower engagement, with 9% on X, 2% on Threads, and 1% on Bluesky [4]. Mike O'Connor from NuVoodoo Media Services sums it up well:
"X/Twitter's lead widens [among Gen X and Boomers], but engagement overall for all three platforms is much lower in these demographics" [4].
Beyond age, political leanings and user behavior further shape how people interact with these platforms.
Engagement by Age, Location, and User Type
Political affiliation and posting habits and cross-platform scheduling also influence platform preferences. For instance, 24% of Republicans use X compared to 19% of Democrats [8]. On the other hand, Bluesky attracts a more left-leaning audience, with 69% of left-leaning news influencers maintaining an account, compared to just 15% of right-leaning influencers [5]. This divide grew sharper after the 2024 election, as Bluesky's share of news influencers doubled from 21% to 43% between the election and March 2025 [5].
Posting frequency further differentiates platforms. On X, 83% of news influencers post at least four days a week, keeping activity levels high [5]. Bluesky, however, sees less frequent posting, with only 31% of influencers posting four or more days weekly [5]. A Pew Research Center study of 500 news influencers (those with 100,000+ followers) conducted between January 5 and March 29, 2025, revealed that 82% of these influencers maintained an X account, generating 348,909 posts on X during the study period compared to just 20,489 on Bluesky [5].
For creators looking to understand these shifting dynamics, Bluesky Analytics offers detailed insights into how its growing user base - now at 35.2 million users - engages with content. These insights provide valuable context for tracking platform trends and audience behavior.
How to Use These Findings for Cross-Platform Content
Tailoring Content for Each Platform
The findings highlight something important: X, Threads, and Bluesky are no longer interchangeable. Each platform has carved out its own identity, and your content strategy needs to adapt accordingly.
For X, the key is crafting strong hooks and tapping into trending topics. With a standard deviation of 5,159 engagements per post [1], the platform offers a high-risk, high-reward environment. Posting multiple times a day increases your chances of going viral, especially if your opening lines are attention-grabbing and tie into current events or trending conversations.
Threads takes a different approach. With a median engagement rate of 6.25% - a notable 73.6% higher than X's 3.6% [2] - it offers more predictable outcomes. Posting once or twice daily and using open-ended questions can spark meaningful discussions, encouraging deeper engagement rather than passive scrolling.
Bluesky thrives on niche-specific content. Its engagement spread is much narrower, with a standard deviation of just 279 [1], which means growth tends to be steadier. Targeting specialized feeds like "Art" or "Science" helps you connect with passionate communities. Users on Bluesky are also shaping the platform with new features, such as the "📌 Pins" bookmarking system, which became the third most-used feed in early 2025 [7]. Engaging with these innovations can boost your visibility and align you with the platform's active community.
To streamline this multi-platform strategy, TheBlue.social offers a cross-posting scheduler for platforms like X, Threads, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Bluesky, and Mastodon. It allows you to customize captions and tone for each platform, from viral hooks on X to community-focused posts on Threads and niche-driven content on Bluesky. This tailored approach helps you make the most of analytics to refine your strategy over time.
Using TheBlue.social for Bluesky Analytics
When managing content across platforms, tracking performance data becomes crucial - especially on Bluesky, where engagement is steady and trends are easier to spot. TheBlue.social's Bluesky Analytics tool helps you monitor engagement and follower growth, making it easier to identify the best times to post based on your audience's activity patterns.
The platform's follow-back tool is another useful feature, helping you identify mutual connections. Since Bluesky users post less frequently than on other platforms, building genuine relationships takes priority over broadcasting to a large audience. This tool simplifies the process of finding followers you haven’t followed back yet, making it easier to foster reciprocal connections and strengthen your network.
For those looking to grow their presence on Bluesky, Starter Packs are a helpful option. Instead of manually searching for communities, these curated packs allow you to quickly connect with niche audiences. This is especially valuable given that 69% of left-leaning news influencers have a Bluesky account, compared to just 15% of right-leaning influencers [5]. Finding the right community fit is essential for meaningful engagement.
TheBlue.social operates on a freemium model [10], offering core features at no cost. For creators aiming to maximize their Bluesky growth, the Early Supporter plan is available for $20 per month [10], providing higher limits, premium features, and early access to new tools. Additionally, free utilities like the Bluesky Network Statistics tool for tracking platform-wide trends and the Generate Alt Text for Images tool for improving accessibility help you maintain a polished and professional presence across platforms.
Conclusion
Main Findings
Data from 2025 highlights unique engagement trends across platforms. Threads leads the pack with a median engagement rate of 6.25%, significantly outpacing X's 3.6% - a difference of approximately 73.6% [2]. X shows the widest engagement range, with a spread of 5,159 interactions, while Threads and Bluesky maintain more consistent engagement levels of 628 and 279, respectively [1].
When it comes to average engagements per post, X outperforms with 328, albeit with high variability. In contrast, Threads and Bluesky offer steadier outcomes, averaging 58 and 21 engagements per post [1]. This underscores X's "high-risk, high-reward" dynamic, compared to Bluesky's more predictable, community-oriented growth.
Between January 2024 and January 2025, engagement rates declined across platforms. X dropped from 3.47% to 2.15%, while Threads saw a decline from 4.76% to 3.60% [6]. Bluesky, however, carved out a niche among news influencers, with the share of news accounts on the platform doubling from 21% pre-2024 election to 43% by March 2025 [5]. By the same month, Bluesky surpassed X in hosting more original posts linked to new research on most weekdays [11].
These findings offer a clear roadmap for platform-specific strategies.
Recommended Next Steps
Based on these patterns, here's how you can optimize your approach:
- X: Tap into its potential for trending topics and viral reach. Its variability makes it ideal for high-impact, fast-moving content.
- Threads: Focus on fostering steady engagement through discussion-driven posts. Its consistency makes it a solid choice for community building.
- Bluesky: Use it to establish authority in niche communities. Journalist Ashton Pittman noted that his Bluesky posts garnered 20 times the engagement of his X content, thanks to Bluesky's policy of not throttling external links [12].
For efficient multi-platform management, cross-posting tools can be a game-changer. Platforms like TheBlue.social allow you to tailor your messaging for each audience. For example, its scheduler adapts captions to fit X's fast-paced tone, Threads' community-focused vibe, and Bluesky's niche-driven feeds. Additionally, the Bluesky Analytics tool can help pinpoint the best posting times - Mondays and Fridays tend to see the highest activity on Bluesky [11].
Finally, consistently track your performance using analytics tools. While platform-wide medians provide a baseline, your individual results may vary [1]. If you're considering tools, TheBlue.social offers a freemium plan with essential features, while its Early Supporter plan, priced at $20 per month, unlocks premium features and higher usage limits [10].
FAQs
::: faq
How can businesses create viral content on X?
To make content go viral on X, businesses should focus on crafting posts that are timely, engaging, and easy to share, matching the platform's fast-paced, conversation-heavy vibe. In 2025, X remains a powerhouse for virality, with the average post drawing 328 engagements - far outpacing Threads (58) and Bluesky (21). Want to increase your chances of going viral? Here's how:
- Jump on trending topics and real-time events to stay part of the buzz.
- Keep it short and impactful to fit within the 280-character limit.
- Incorporate visuals or short videos to grab attention and spark interaction.
- Tag influencers or thought leaders and use relevant hashtags to broaden your reach.
- Post during peak hours, like early mornings or late evenings (U.S. Eastern time), for better visibility.
Streamlining your efforts with a social media scheduler can make all the difference. These tools let you plan posts ahead of time, while analytics can reveal what resonates most with your audience. By blending data-driven strategies with creative, timely content, businesses can fully harness X’s unparalleled potential for virality in 2025. :::
::: faq
What are the best ways to boost engagement on Threads?
To increase engagement on Threads, focus on crafting content that feels at home on the platform while leveraging its strong connection to Instagram. According to a 2025 study, Threads posts generate 73.6% more engagement than posts on X when creators tailor their content to match Threads' distinct style. Cross-posting from Instagram can extend your reach by appealing to both audiences, but it's crucial to adjust your posts to align with Threads' text-focused and interactive approach.
Want better results? Create posts that invite replies, use relevant hashtags to improve discoverability, and include attention-grabbing visuals like photos or GIFs. Consistency matters, too - experiment with posting during peak engagement times, such as mornings or early evenings. By blending platform-specific content with smart cross-posting, you can tap into Threads' engagement potential with ease. :::
::: faq
What makes Bluesky appealing to niche audiences, and what types of content perform best there?
Bluesky’s decentralized setup and emphasis on privacy have made it a magnet for a tech-savvy crowd that values control over their data and the ability to personalize their experience. Many users are drawn to its open-source framework and the collaborative, community-driven features it offers, often as a refreshing alternative to mainstream platforms.
The platform has become a hub for creative expression, where art and visual content consistently shine. A 2025 analysis revealed that feeds centered on creativity accounted for 16.3% of top-performing posts. Features like the "📌 Pins" feed have also gained traction, showcasing user-driven tools that resonate with the community. Beyond creativity, news and current events are strong performers, attracting influencers who thrive on real-time conversations. On average, posts see around 21 engagements, with the most engaging content often including visuals, curated collections, or timely and relevant commentary.
For creators looking to refine their approach, tools like Bluesky analytics offer valuable insights. These tools help track engagement patterns and uncover trends, making it easier to craft content that resonates and stands out across the platform. :::