X (Twitter) vs Bluesky

The Difference Between X (Twitter) and Bluesky

—A Full Comparison

The aspect of social media is one that does not settle, and as users look for better as well as new means of connecting, there will be platforms that will be used. Connections and sharing, as well as engaging content, will always attract users. X and Bluesky are two platforms that, while looking the same on a surface level, are worlds apart when it comes to structure, purpose, and the experience that users get when they use the platform. On one hand, there is X, which is an already established but centralised media behemoth, and on the other hand, there is Bluesky, which is a new challenger to the conventional model. In this article, we will look into the key differences in the two platforms and draw a comparison around this.

Origins and Background

X (Twitter)

Under the stewardship of Elon Musk, Twitter is now operating under the name X, which has been the backbone of social media since it was established in 2006. The platform changed the dynamics of communication overseas with its updates that were brief and immediate, allowing for a space to debate and communicate publicly around the globe. Twitter has changed throughout the years, and now it has become X, which includes features such as long posts, advertising, and subscriptions as the need to be competitive evolves.
Bluesky

Let’s now look at Bluesky, which is an example of a decentralised social media platform that was built with the purpose of avoiding the control that comes with centralization. This is in light of Twitter’s attempt in 2019 to build a decentralised social media. As of 2023, an initial test version of the platform was put up. The AT Protocol (Authenticated Transfer Protocol), on which the platform runs, aims at providing more portability and user control than its predecessors.
Their fundamental differences begin with their origins; X is a corporate-owned platform with a singular vision, whereas Bluesky was created with the focus of giving power back to the users by decentralising the social media platform.

Centralisation’s bias against decentralisation

Their views on centralisation are the biggest contradiction in their existence.
X: We have a single point of access and control.
X remains a centralised platform, built and controlled by a singular legal entity. The moderation of user data and user generation and content creation is entirely done by the organization. This control of all data gives them the authority to determine the rules, algorithms, and even monetization. This, in a way, can prove beneficial as decision-making does not have to face delays; however, it gives rise to other issues like censorship and monopolisation.

Bluesky:

The Disruption of Social Media Networks Bluesky is a service that uses the AT Protocol to allow decentralization. Bluesky enjoys the freedom to not be controlled by a particular person or organisation, unlike X. Users are allowed to create their personal servers, select their moderation, and transfer their accounts from one server to another. Such an approach, where there is no centralisation by a single corporation, puts more governance into the hands of customers, enhances the availability to the public, and increases competition.
The point is that the users with Bluesky get greater degrees of freedom, whereas the users with X get more restriction and control.

User Experience and Interface

X: Feature-Packed and Widely Used

In short, X is well tested in practice and has attracted many users because its functions have been developed over several years.The main benefit is that it allows posting of texts, images, and even full-length videos or blog posts. X was also able to augment its features with Spaces (a combination of communications and live audio), monetisation features like Super Follows, and X subscriptions.
Nonetheless, the main cause of concern has been the constant feed of posts driven by an algorithm and the increasing emphasis on revenue generation. The platform appears to have a clear policy of promoting targeted advertisements and influencers instead of its users.
Bluesky: Straightforward but Personalised

Currently, the interface that the users see when they log into the account is cleaner, simpler, and more useful. Imagine the earlier models of Twitter—with its timeline being the only element to the feed and not cluttered with a mishmash of other elements; that is what the design of Bluesky looks like. Currently, there are no messaging features or monetisation tools in place, but at least instant provides users with the option to change it according to their liking.
Another highlight is that Bluesky affords people the opportunity to choose or build their algorithms. This allows customisation to the feeds of users with a level of transparency that is not provided by X.
One needs to only glance at the features-packed and versatile X to appreciate what Bluesky does: it keeps things uncomplicated, gives users what they want, and allows them to tailor their experience.

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  Content Moderation
  
  X: Focused Moderation
  Management of the content moderation on X is through a team working internally within the platform. The company determines the policies and how these policies are enforced, if it all is sometimes questionable. After Musk bought Twitter, he changed the methods of moderation with “free speech” as a focus, which resulted in mixed reactions. While some say this is a breach of free speech and the content that there is undermined or that there is missing the criticism argue that this is indeed the case, it is the other side of the spectrum, and they are right.

Bluesky

: Let's Leave Moderation To The Community
As mentioned above, Bluesky has a distributed model for moderation. Users are free to select what servers they want to talk on according to how much moderating they wish to be done on that particular server. In addition, users can use the external moderation feature, which means that they can control what information to see to a greater extent. This reduces the load from a single company and promotes different policies, as moderation technologies across the communities can be different.
While X uses control measures over users, Bluesky takes on a different approach where users are empowered to moderate themselves.

Monetisation and Business Model

X: The Never Ending Source Of Profit
Under the direction of Elon Musk, X has prioritised making money at all costs. It is no wonder that subscriptions (X Premium), paying to be verified, and monetisation of clients through ad revenues are key components of the business model of X; it focuses primarily on earning money. While these tools can help creators, they also formulate an environment where one has to spend money to reach and even surpass the masses, as spending users gain a lot of visibility and other perks.
Bluesky: There Is No Opportunity for Monetisation
Newly, as a new platform, Bluesky still does not have a monetisation model that he can facilitate. Its main purpose is building a decentralised protocol and bringing in new users, those who appreciate transparency and control. However, positions opened by Bluesky may create an environment for new types of monetisations in the future, such as subscriptions paid by users of the network or third-party tools.
At the moment, X has ready, marketable tools while Bluesky is just getting worked on its core ideas.

Demand of the data under users privacy

X: Minimum Exposure to User Control
On X, user data is owned and operated by the corporation itself. This raises issues concerning privacy, the usage of data, or even worse, the utilisation of data for profit.
Bluesky: Data Owned by the User
Bluesky does not have a single central server like most social networks, which gives some level of data control to users. In this case, a user can not only change her account but also the server so that the content and her connections are not lost, creating a level of portability that X does not have.

Conclusion:

Fortress of features of X or the independence of Bluesky
The final and most significant difference between X and Bluesky is their ideology and organisational structure. X is a centralisation rich in functions that has its bad side focused on the earning potential that will come from its algorithms. It provides creator and business support resources but at the same time poses major issues posed by concentration, privacy, and censorship policies.

In contrast, by virtue of its membership on social platforms that are decentralised and based on user participation, Bluesky offers a real alternative. Restoring emphasis to every participating user, it accentuates, which serves the requirements of putting the power within the reach of its participants and the access to information widespread, thus providing glimpses of the future.

Still, for users who appreciate standard features, a vast user base, and monetisation possibilities, X is still the primary option. But for those looking for openness and empowerment and for social media that is less complicated and more community-based, Bluesky is an exciting offering full of potential.

Determining whether X or Bluesky better suits one’s needs may come down to how much ideology the users’ of each platform value most—the centralisation and convenience provided by X or the decentralisation and control that Bluesky offers. The battle between these two may very well define the social media landscape for the coming few years.