A significant number of users are shifting their allegiance from the social media platform previously known as Twitter, owned by the world’s wealthiest individual, Elon Musk, particularly following the recent contentious election. With reported figures suggesting around 115,000 American users deleted their accounts in a single day, the quest for new social media pastures is visibly alarming. An array of alternative platforms including Bluesky, Threads, and Mastodon are swiftly capitalizing on this exodus. But do any of them have the potential to seize the throne left vacant by Twitter? And how can one decide which platform is best suited for their needs?
Having been active on Twitter-esque services for more than a decade, I am not entirely sold on the idea of abandoning it completely. However, the barrage of change does pique my interest in exploring other platforms, even if they appear bewilderingly diverse at first glance. Regardless of any personal confusion, I’ve put together a simplified guide to these emerging social media options for those of you considering a switch.
Bluesky, standing as a strongly reminiscent of the former Twitter, emerges as a most plausible successor. Mirroring Twitter’s design and functionality, Bluesky can give you a sense of familiarity amid the change. The platform allows users to create and implement custom timeline filters and algorithms. Interestingly, it even permits users to self-regulate their posts, such as requiring an image description before they can post one, catering to those who utilize screen reader software.
Posts on Bluesky, formally tagged as ‘posts’, have already gained a casual moniker—’skeets’. This reinforces the old-world charm that Twitter exuded around a decade ago. The platform buzzes with life, brimming with diverse, impassioned individuals voicing their unique perspectives. It’s chock-full of head-spinning local memes to real-time political and sports discussions.
Of noteworthy mention is the sincerity that Bluesky seems to embody, at least for now. It appears to be a platform that users turn to out of a genuine desire to be part of a superior alternative—a sentiment that is becoming increasingly rare in the modern social media landscape. Another positive aspect is its apparent lower toxicity compared to its predecessors, with conflict-resolving features like allowing users to retract permission for quoting their posts, in addition to the so-called ‘nuclear block’. Only time will tell whether these laudable features will endure.
On the other side is Threads, a Twitter replica developed by Instagram. Currently, it appears to be the go-to platform for numerous lifestyle influencers, casual browsers, celebrities, and others. It’s important to note, Threads surpasses Bluesky in user count, which speaks volumes about its popularity among social media users.
Nevertheless, Threads, despite its popularity, embodies an aura of stricter regulation, underscored by AI-driven moderation synonymous with its parent company Meta. This characteristic might be a deterrent for users seeking a more freewheeling social media experience.
Among the three, Mastodon climbs to the peak of complexity with its distinctive decentralized design. Intentionally built to stave off the control of any single entity, Mastodon envisages a network of independent social communities. A user’s initial step into Mastodon is to select a specific ‘instance’ as their virtual home. This instance holds the essence of decentralization—any entity, whether a university, private company, or merely a group of enthusiasts, can run it.
The uniqueness doesn’t stop there. Each instance abides by its own set of regulations and moderation mechanisms, adding an additional layer of complexity. However, once ingrained, the initial confusion tends to fade away. An impressive feature Mastodon boasts is its generous word limit—allowing up to 500 words per post. As expected, the platform’s user demographic tends to lean heavily towards the tech-savvy.
More than just a standalone platform, Mastodon proves its merit as an integral part of an interconnected system—the ‘fediverse’. Named after its federated nature, the fediverse is a network of social media platforms operating on common technical protocols. Imagine a future where all these platforms collaborate seamlessly, minimizing the exclusivity while augmenting interoperability.
Imagine an online ecosystem where selecting a social network would not be a corporate preference, like choosing between Netflix and Disney+. Instead, it will resemble picking a web browser or an email service—an unrestricted, user-centered selection. The content across different services will be universally accessible, only differentiating in the user interface and engagement with innate activities.