Bluesky’s Rise: Should Influencers Jump Ship Post-TikTok?

TikTok has been the reigning champ of social media for influencers, but a new contender is sky-rocketing in the aftermath of some major shakeups. Bluesky – the decentralized social app backed by Twitter’s co-founder Jack Dorsey – is suddenly on every influencer’s radar. Why? In part because a ban on Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) in Brazil sent users flocking to Bluesky virtually overnight, triggering growth numbers that are hard to ignore. If you’re an influencer wondering whether it’s time to “jump ship” (or at least expand your fleet beyond TikTok), read on. We’ll break down Bluesky’s meteoric rise, its potential for brand collaborations, and whether it’s worth your time as the next big platform for your content.

Bluesky’s Meteoric Rise (Fueled by Brazil’s X Ban)

Bluesky launched to the public in early 2024 as a decentralized, Twitter-like network – and initially grew at a modest pace. That all changed when Brazil banned X over legal disputes, leaving millions of users looking for a new social outlet. Bluesky capitalized on this moment, gaining over 1 million new users in just 3 days and 2.6–3 million in under a week as Brazilians rushed in. By the first week of September 2024, Bluesky’s user base had swelled by 50% to about 9 million users. This wasn’t a one-off spike either – that momentum kept going:

As the chart shows, Bluesky’s growth curve went up and to the right in late 2024. After the Brazil surge, another wave came when high-profile figures and everyday users “X-ited” X during the chaotic 2024 U.S. election period. Bluesky jumped from around 10 million users in September 2024 to 27+ million by mid-January 2025 – a 174% increase in just a few months. By the end of Q1 2025, Bluesky boasts over 33 million users worldwide. For context, that’s a tiny fraction of TikTok’s billion-plus users, but it’s the growth rate and engagement that have everyone intrigued. Bluesky is now a top social app in markets like Brazil (which alone accounts for ~37% of its traffic), and it’s seeing all-time high activity levels.

Translation for influencers: Bluesky has quickly evolved from a nerdy niche to a bustling social network with a hungry audience. Many of these users are early adopters, eager for content and connections – a perfect scenario if you’re looking to stand out. Unlike saturated platforms where gaining followers is like pulling teeth, Bluesky’s newness means less competition and a greater chance to capture attention as the community grows. Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of brand collabs on Bluesky, let’s lay out why you might want to hop on this trend.

5 Reasons Influencers Should Consider Bluesky

🚀 Explosive Growth = New Audience Potential:

 Bluesky is one of the fastest-growing social platforms of the past year. Millions have joined recently due to high-profile events, and new users are joining at a rate of about one per second by some estimate. This influx means fresh eyes for your content. The platform’s user base jumped ~174% in late 2024 alone – a sign that it’s not slowing down. Getting in now positions you in front of a growing audience before it fully explodes.

🌟 Early Mover Advantage: 

As of early 2025, Bluesky is still “new” for most people. That means fewer influencers and creators to compete with. Fun fact: about **50% of Bluesky users have 1 or 0 followers, which shows how early we still are. If you join and bring over even a slice of your TikTok or Instagram following, you could instantly rank among the top voices on Bluesky. It’s a rare chance to establish yourself as a trendsetter on a platform where the playing field isn’t yet overcrowded.

👍 Authentic Engagement (No Ads, No Algorithms Apocalypse): 

Tired of fighting opaque algorithms or losing followers to endless ads? Bluesky’s feed is chronological and community-focused, not an ad-riddled black box. In fact, **Bluesky doesn’t allow traditional ads at all, This creates a culture of authenticity – people are there to interact, not just mindlessly scroll trending dances. Early data shows Bluesky users spend an average of 10+ minutes per session on the which is a healthy engagement length. As an influencer, your posts are more likely to be seen by followers without getting sandwiched between sponsored posts. Conversations feel more genuine, and you can build real connections through replies and chats (yes, Bluesky added DMs too!).

🤝 Brand Collaboration Opportunities: 

Fewer ads on Bluesky means brands will lean on influencers to get their message out. In a “no pay-to-play” environment, influencer marketing becomes one of the most effective promotion strategies. If you establish a presence on Bluesky, you could tap into sponsorships where brands ask you to spread the word because they can’t just buy an ad. The bonus: without a saturated ad market, branded content on Bluesky comes off as more organic and can spark genuine conversations. It’s a new playground for creative brand-influencer campaigns – think collaborative posts, Bluesky-exclusive giveaways, live Q&As – with a community that’s keen to engage. Early adopter brands are already scouting Bluesky for influential voices to partner with.

Bluesky Brand Collaborations: Advantages & Challenges

So you’ve joined Bluesky and grown a little following – how does it stack up for brand collaborations (the bread and butter for many influencers)? Let’s break down the pros and cons in a quick-hit list:

Advantages of Bluesky for Brand Collabs:

• High Visibility, No Clutter: With **no paid ads on the platform, any branded content you post isn’t competing with a thousand sponsored videos. Your collaboration posts own the spotlight in the feed, which can lead to higher engagement and authentic interest.
• Credible, Trusting Community: Bluesky’s user base values genuine interaction and has a bit of that “early community” trust. A recommendation or partnership feels more like a friend’s nod than an #ad assault. This can translate to better receptiveness when you introduce a brand organically.
• Creative Freedom: Brands working on Bluesky will be experimenting just like you. There’s less pressure to follow a set “influencer format.” You can co-create content that fits your style and Bluesky’s conversational tone (memes, threads, casual check-ins, you name it). It’s a chance to shape what influencer marketing looks like on a new platform.
• Deep Niche Targeting: Bluesky lets users create or follow custom feeds (think of them like community-curated timelines). This means if your niche is, say, indie fashion, there might be a custom feed all about that – a perfect place for your collab content to get discovered by exactly the right audience. Less algorithm mystery, more real targeting.
• Long-Term Relationship Building: Because Bluesky is still growing, brands aren’t just looking for one-off posts; they’re looking for pioneers. If you partner with a brand now and help them navigate Bluesky, you’re likely building a longer-term relationship (read: potential future campaigns and maybe higher budgets as the platform grows).

Challenges and Things to Watch Out For:

• Smaller Reach (for Now): At ~33 million users, Bluesky’s scale is nowhere near TikTok or Instagram. If you do a brand deal here, manage expectations – the raw reach will be more limited. However, what you lose in quantity, you might gain in quality of engagement.

   

• Limited Analytics & Tools: Bluesky is new and doesn’t yet offer robust analytics for creators. You won’t (yet) find the kind of detailed insights or convenient scheduling tools you might be used to. Brands might also be unsure how to measure ROI on Bluesky collabs. You’ll have to get a bit scrappy with third-party tools or manual tracking for.
• Uncertain Monetization Path: So far, Bluesky isn’t saturated with monetization features. There’s no built-in creator fund or ad revenue sharing yet. Brand deals will likely be the main way to earn on Bluesky for the time being. It’s all direct and manual – you and the brand figuring out terms – since there’s no formal ad infrastructure. As the platform matures, this could change (they might introduce tipping or subscriptions down the line), but early on you’re forging new ground.

Conclusion to Bluesky’s Rise: Should Influencers Jump Ship Post-TikTok?

Bluesky’s rise from obscure beta app to 30-million-strong network has been nothing short of astonishing. For influencers, it presents that rare window of opportunity: a growing platform where you can still shape the culture, build an audience without fighting algorithms, and partner with brands in a more organic, fan-focused way. While TikTok isn’t going anywhere overnight, savvy creators know the value of being ahead of the curve. Think of Bluesky as adding another tool to your kit.

So why not give Bluesky a shot? 💡 Action step: Claim your handle (your name might still be available – score!), set up your profile with your vibe, and say hello with a first post. Consistency is key on any platform, so spend a few minutes each day browsing and “skeeting” (what some users playfully call posting on Bluesky). Engage with the communities relevant to you – whether it’s fashion, gaming, travel, or just goofy meme threads. You’ll find an enthusiastic audience that’s excited to interact.

And for those on the fence, consider this your friendly nudge: The social media landscape never stays the same. Today’s TikTok could be tomorrow’s Myspace (anyone remember that?), and today’s upstart Bluesky could be the next major player. As an influencer, you thrive by riding the right waves. Bluesky’s wave is building momentum; paddle in now, and you might just catch the next big break. Remember, in the influencer world, being early is gold. 🌤️ Bluesky awaits – see you there!