X Remains the Top Choice for News Influencers Despite Bluesky’s Growth

Bluesky is steadily gaining traction among news influencers—particularly progressive voices—seeking alternatives to X (formerly known as Twitter).

According to new data from the Pew Research Center, the number of influencers on Bluesky has doubled in just a few months.

Yet despite the platform’s momentum, most are not turning their backs on X.

The platform still dominates in daily usage and reach, highlighting how entrenched user habits remain—even amidst shifts in the social media landscape.

Pew’s findings are based on a panel of 500 prominent news influencers—creators with over 100,000 followers on at least one major platform (X, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or YouTube) who regularly engage with current events and civic issues.

Between February and March 2025, 43% had joined Bluesky, up from just 21% before the 2024 US presidential election.

However, X retains its grip: 82% of these influencers remained active there in early 2025, only slightly down from 85% the previous summer.

The takeaway? While alternative platforms like Bluesky are growing, X continues to be the primary stage for digital influence—at least for now.

Exploring Options, Not Exiting

The growing presence of news influencers on Bluesky signals a clear intent to diversify—not to depart—from dominant platforms like X.

While X remains the primary vehicle for mass reach despite ongoing criticism over its content moderation and political slant, Bluesky is carving out a niche, particularly among progressive voices.

According to Pew Research Center data, 69% of influencers on Bluesky identify as liberal or pro-Harris, compared to just 15% who identify as conservative, Republican, or pro-Trump.

The remainder—47%—claim no clear political affiliation, suggesting that while Bluesky’s appeal skews left, it is not exclusively partisan.

The study, which tracks 500 prominent news influencers with large followings across platforms, suggests a pattern of platform expansion rather than abandonment.

Most influencers on Bluesky are still active on X, and just 6% use Bluesky exclusively.

In contrast, 46% remain active only on X, while 37% maintain a presence on both.

For now, X retains its dominance in audience size, user habits, and cultural relevance.

Still, Bluesky’s momentum is notable.

Its decentralised moderation model and reputation for a “healthier” discourse are attractive to influencers exploring new digital spaces.

By the end of March 2025, 66% of influencers with Bluesky accounts had posted content, up from 54% in January.

Activity on X, while still high, has seen a slight dip—from 92% of influencers posting at the start of 2025 to 87% by March.

Yet the engagement gap remains wide.

Among influencers on X, 83% post content at least four days a week, compared to just 31% on Bluesky.

Nearly half of Bluesky account holders (48%) posted rarely or not at all.

Bluesky is gaining traction, but it’s still playing catch-up.

X remains the central hub of influence—though cracks in its monopoly are beginning to show.

Pew Research Center concludes:

"Among right-leaning influencers, 97% of those with an X account posted there at least four days per week during the study period. But too few of them have Bluesky accounts to reliably report on their posting frequency there."