Bluesky has become one of the most talked-about social networks, but where did it come from? The story of Bluesky involves Twitter, Jack Dorsey, a pandemic, and a mission to build an open protocol for social media. Here's the complete history of how Bluesky became the decentralized alternative to X.
2019: The Twitter Announcement
On December 11, 2019, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey made a surprising announcement. He tweeted that Twitter was funding a small independent team to develop "an open and decentralized standard for social media."
The goal was ambitious: create a protocol that Twitter itself might eventually adopt. Dorsey envisioned a future where Twitter would be a client of this standard rather than a proprietary platform. The project was codenamed "Bluesky."
At the time, concerns about content moderation, platform power, and algorithmic control were growing. The idea was that a decentralized protocol could give users more control and reduce the burden on any single company to be the arbiter of online speech.
2021: Becoming Independent
In early 2021, Bluesky began the search for a lead. After an extensive process, Jay Graber was hired to lead the initiative. Graber was a software engineer with experience building decentralized systems and a strong background in cryptocurrency and distributed technologies.
Under Graber's leadership, Bluesky became an independent company: Bluesky PBLLC (Public Benefit Limited Liability Company). This was a crucial step. While Twitter provided initial funding, Bluesky would operate independently and build its protocol without being tied to Twitter's corporate interests.
The small team began designing what would become the AT Protocol (Authenticated Transfer Protocol) - the technical foundation for a new kind of social network.
2022: Building in the Background
While the world was focused on Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter in October 2022, the Bluesky team was quietly building. The Twitter acquisition actually strengthened Bluesky's position as an independent project - there was now a clear separation between the two.
The team worked on core protocol design, including:
- Decentralized identifiers (DIDs) - Unique IDs that belong to users, not platforms
- Personal Data Servers (PDS) - Where user data actually lives
- Federation architecture - How different servers communicate
- Custom handles - Using domain names as usernames
2023: The Invite-Only Beta
In early 2023, Bluesky launched an invite-only beta. Users needed an invite code to join, creating exclusivity and allowing the team to scale gradually. This approach helped manage growth while the protocol and apps were still being refined.
The beta attracted early adopters, developers, journalists, and tech enthusiasts. Invite codes became coveted, trading hands on eBay and social media. The limited access created buzz and gave the team valuable feedback.
During this period, the community helped shape the platform's culture. Custom feeds emerged, the algorithm became something users could choose rather than having imposed on them, and developers began building third-party apps using the AT Protocol.
February 2024: Opening to the Public
On February 6, 2024, Bluesky made a major announcement: the platform was now open to everyone. No more invite codes. Anyone could sign up.
Growth accelerated rapidly. Within days, millions of new users joined. The platform that had been an exclusive beta suddenly became a mainstream option for people looking for alternatives to X (formerly Twitter).
Later in 2024, Bluesky converted from a PBLLC to a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC). This corporate structure legally binds the company to consider public benefit alongside profit - codifying Bluesky's commitment to building for the common good.
2024-2025: Rapid Growth
By late 2024, Bluesky had grown to over 30 million users. Several factors drove this growth:
- Dissatisfaction with X - Changes to Twitter under Elon Musk pushed users to seek alternatives
- Political events - Elections and controversies drove waves of migration
- Feature development - Video support, improved moderation, and custom feeds made the platform competitive
- Celebrity adoption - High-profile users joining brought their audiences
- Federation opening - The ability to run independent servers attracted developers and organizations
The AT Protocol: Bluesky's Technical Foundation
What makes Bluesky different from other social networks is the AT Protocol that powers it. Here's what makes it special:
Account Portability
Your account and data aren't locked to Bluesky's servers. If you don't like how Bluesky operates, you can move your account - including your followers, posts, and identity - to a different provider. This is revolutionary for social media.
Algorithmic Choice
Instead of one algorithm deciding what you see, Bluesky lets you choose from custom feeds built by anyone. Want a chronological feed? An algorithm focused on specific topics? You pick what works for you.
Federation
Multiple servers can participate in the network. Organizations can run their own Personal Data Servers (PDS), giving them control over their data while still being connected to the broader network.
Custom Handles
You can use your own domain name as your username. Instead of @username.bsky.social, you can be @yourname.com - verifying your identity through domain ownership.
Leadership: Jay Graber
Jay Graber serves as CEO of Bluesky. Before Bluesky, Graber worked on various decentralized and cryptocurrency projects. Her technical background and vision for an open social web have shaped Bluesky's direction.
Under Graber's leadership, Bluesky has maintained its focus on:
- Building open protocols over proprietary platforms
- Giving users control over their online identity
- Creating sustainable moderation through composable tools
- Growing responsibly while staying true to decentralization principles
Bluesky vs. Other Decentralized Networks
Bluesky isn't the only decentralized social network. Here's how it compares:
Bluesky vs. Mastodon
Mastodon uses the ActivityPub protocol and has been around longer. Key differences: Bluesky offers portable accounts (Mastodon accounts are tied to servers), a unified global namespace, and a more Twitter-like user experience. Mastodon has a larger existing federation but different design philosophies.
Bluesky vs. Threads
Threads is Meta's Twitter alternative. While Threads has promised ActivityPub support, it's fundamentally a centralized platform owned by Meta. Bluesky is built decentralized from the ground up with no single controlling entity.
The Future of Bluesky
Bluesky continues to evolve. Current and upcoming developments include:
- Full federation - Anyone can run a PDS and participate in the network
- Labelers and moderation services - Composable moderation that users can choose
- Developer ecosystem - A growing community building apps, bots, and feeds
- Continued growth - Expanding beyond early adopters to mainstream users
Key Dates in Bluesky History
- December 2019 - Jack Dorsey announces Twitter is funding Bluesky
- 2021 - Jay Graber hired as lead; Bluesky becomes independent company
- October 2022 - Twitter acquired by Elon Musk; Bluesky remains independent
- Early 2023 - Invite-only beta launches
- February 2024 - Bluesky opens to the public
- 2024 - Converts to Public Benefit Corporation; surpasses 30 million users
Join Bluesky Today
Whether you're looking for an alternative to X, interested in decentralized technology, or just want to try something new, Bluesky is now open to everyone. Sign up at bsky.app and join the growing community building the future of social media.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Bluesky founded?
Bluesky was announced by Twitter in December 2019 and became an independent company in 2021 under CEO Jay Graber.
Who created Bluesky?
The project was initially announced by Jack Dorsey while he was Twitter's CEO. Jay Graber was hired to lead the project and became CEO of the independent company.
Is Bluesky owned by Twitter or Elon Musk?
No. Bluesky became independent before Musk acquired Twitter and has no ownership connection to X or Elon Musk.
What is the AT Protocol?
The Authenticated Transfer Protocol is the open-source protocol powering Bluesky. It enables account portability, algorithmic choice, and federation.
How many users does Bluesky have?
Bluesky has over 30 million users as of late 2024, with continued growth after opening to the public.