From Twitter to X to Bluesky: The Social Media Migration
Disinformation, Fake News
Access to information is just a click away for most people today, especially for Gen Z. Growing up with social media, constantly checking our phones, and being bombarded with notifications, news, and messages — it’s all we’ve ever known. Many of us are overstimulated or even addicted to this endless flow of information, without realizing how it affects us, limits us, or how we can break free from it (think about it, really).
As most of us have seen, the headlines about disinformation and social media have been alarming. We’ve seen Elon Musk invite far-right German AfD leader Alice Weidel for a “nice little chat” on X. His increasing influence in US politics, especially with Trump’s successful election campaign, has sparked concerns, as has his questionable hand gesture, which — let’s be honest — was clearly not just an innocent “sending thoughts and gratitude” moment. Meanwhile, TikTok was banned in the US, which had an impact on Romanian elections, while Meta is scaling back its fact-checking efforts, adding to the growing sense of unease.
Twitter, X, and Bluesky have been at the heart of this toxic social media debate. Which brings us to the very relevant question: Can we still trust today’s social media? Or are we slowly being manipulated by tech giants and political agendas? Are we moving towards a world where Elon Musk and Donald Trump control our media usage and influence our political ideology to the point where we no longer even realize how toxic it is? More importantly — what can we do about it?
“What is the cost of lies? It’s not that we’ll mistake them for the truth. The real danger is that if we hear enough lies, then we no longer recognize the truth at all. What can we do then? What else is left but to abandon even the hope of truth and content ourselves instead with stories?” – Valery Legasov in HBO’s Chernobyl
What is Twitter, X or Bluesky even about?
Twitter, X, and Bluesky represent three distinct eras of the same idea — real-time, text-based social media — but each carries it in a very different way.
Twitter was like a bustling town square, full of conversations, breaking news, and unexpected viral moments. It had its chaos, but also a unique energy that made it feel alive. X, in contrast, feels like that same town square after a corporate takeover — flashy billboards everywhere, fewer familiar faces, and an algorithm that amplifies the loudest voices rather than the most interesting ones. Bluesky, meanwhile, is like a group of Twitter’s old regulars setting up their own woke café down the street — smaller, less polished, but aiming to recapture the idea of what made the original so great, with a focus on user control and openness. Bluesky has been dubbed as the “safe haven” from the toxic world of vitriolic trolling and bot accounts associated with X.
Why everyone is quitting X, and why you should too
Bluesky and other alternative social media platforms have clearly benefited from the general dissatisfaction with X and its affiliation with billionaire owner Elon Musk. The toxicity of the dominant voices found on the platform have driven many users away. Just like Tesla’s production and sales are rapidly decreasing across Europe, we see a similar trend with X.
Thanks to the “Twitter Quitters” or the “X-ile,” Bluesky now welcomes over 32 million users, many of whom have joined recently. According to The Guardian, Bluesky reported gaining 3 million new users in the week following X’s suspension in Brazil, and another 1.2 million within two days after X announced it would allow users to view posts from people they had blocked. “But why?” you might wonder. What makes people dislike — or even fear — the platform X?
People aren’t just leaving X because of minor inconveniences; they’re leaving because the platform has fundamentally changed, and not for the better. It’s not just about the decline in content moderation — it’s about the deliberate amplification of hate speech, disinformation, and harmful accounts. Previously banned individuals, like Trump, who were removed for spreading hate and misinformation, have been welcomed back. Meanwhile, moderation has been gutted, allowing the platform to become a breeding ground for toxic content. The rise of bots — whether spamming porn, scams, or propaganda — further degrades the experience, making genuine conversation harder to find.
Here are just a few examples of these changes:
- August 2023: X lifts its ban on paid political ads.
- October 2023: X removes headlines from article links and shuts down the Circles feature, making content harder to verify.
- December 2023: Musk reinstates Alex Jones, a banned conspiracy theorist.
- April 2024: New users must pay a fee to post, making basic features pay-to-play.
- June 2024: X privatizes “likes,” reducing transparency and accountability.
- September 2024: X announces the removal of the block feature.
Even more troubling is the fact that Elon Musk himself has used his own platform to promote antisemitic conspiracy theories. This isn’t just a case of neglect: it’s active participation in the radicalization of digital space. When the owner of the platform is engaging in harmful rhetoric, it sends a clear message: hate and misinformation are not only tolerated, but encouraged.
“Elon Musk is a master of the media and controls one of the world’s largest microphones. Musk understands the power of social media in shaping a political narrative,” – Emarketer analyst, Jasmine Enberg
Who has already left X?
For many, continuing to use X means supporting a system that prioritizes engagement over integrity, controversy over truth, and monetization over ethical responsibility. Every post, interaction, and ad impression contributes to this shift. The list of users leaving X is growing rapidly, from major companies like The European Federation of Journalists, The Guardian, and Balenciaga, to political groups such as Belgian Green Youth, as well as celebrities like Elton John and Gigi Hadid. Millions of other users, myself included, have also walked away from the platform.
And yes, Elon is clearly concerned about this trend. But no, Elon, people are leaving voluntarily, and boycotting X is not illegal. What we’re doing — what you could also be doing — has an impact. In fact, X has gone so far as to sue brands like LEGO and Nestlé, accusing them of an advertising boycott in response to this boycott.
How to switch from X to Bluesky
Not convinced of Bluesky just yet? Then re-read this article (Or maybe you can think about actually taking a social media detox break. Let’s be real, it might do our Gen Z brains some good, especially in these politically tormenting times.) Buuuuut for those who are convinced, the move is actually quite easy. Just create an account and start posting again. All jokes aside, though, here’s a step-by-step guide:
First, check if Bluesky lets you import your X followers so you can reconnect with other accounts. That’s where Sky Follower Bridge comes in: it helps your followers, followings, and even your block list from X “migrate” to Bluesky. Next, make it easier for people to find you by changing your X display name to YourName@ your.bluesky.handle and posting a goodbye tweet or pinning a post with your Bluesky link. If you want to bring your old content to Bluesky, there are also tools to import your tweets or, if you prefer a fresh start, tools to delete them. And of course, don’t forget to update your social media links on LinkedIn, Facebook, and other platforms.
Once that’s done, you’re good to go! You’re off for a fresh start in a new (and politically safer) online space. And always remind yourself: Quality over Quantity. It might take some time to adjust to the new platform, but the move will be worth it.
The point I’m trying to make
We need to be more mindful of our social media use. It’s not just about X; I’m not suggesting that Bluesky is the ultimate solution to everything. What I want is to encourage you to become more aware of the content you’re consuming. It’s about making intentional choices in the digital space.
My advice is simple: take breaks from social media, diversify your information sources, and engage in discussions with others about what’s going on. We live in a rapidly changing world that’s becoming increasingly digital, and we’re still figuring out the potential risks that come with it. It’s crucial to be cautious. It might sound a bit cliché, but the change starts with you. By making small, thoughtful decisions, we can take back control over how we engage with the digital world.
Sources
https://telescoper.blog/2024/11/13/why-you-should-leave-twitter-x
https://reason.com/2025/02/03/no-elon-it-isnt-illegal-to-boycott-x