“Beneath the Horizon: Unraveling the Visions of a Post-X World”

The Evolution of Social Media: A Comparison of Threads and Bluesky

In the wake of Twitter’s rise and fall, two new platforms have emerged as viable alternatives: Threads and Bluesky. While they share some similarities, their approaches to moderation, governance, and monetization have distinct differences. This article will explore the divergent visions of these two platforms and their implications for the future of social media.

Moderation and Governance

Threads, controlled by Meta, has come under fire for its inconsistent moderation practices. Despite claiming to promote public conversation, the platform has demonstrated a willingness to suppress certain types of speech, such as “potentially sensitive” content. This has resulted in the throttling of searches related to COVID-19 and vaccines, as well as the blocking of posts about Austin Tice, an American journalist who disappeared in Syria. Twitter’s head, Adam Mosseri, acknowledged mistakes and changes were made after users reported anomalies.

In contrast, Bluesky has taken a more user-centric approach to moderation. While it employs some moderators, users have significant control over the content they want to see. The platform also allows users to create custom lists, enabling an even more tailored experience. Bluesky’s CEO, Jay Graber, emphasized the importance of setting norms in a social space, suggesting that one entity shouldn’t dictate the terms for an entire ecosystem.

Implications for Publishers

Twitter was never a significant platform for traffic generation, but it played a crucial role in the news ecosystem. With Elon Musk’s takeover, X has seen decreased link sharing, while Threads and X have reported decreased interest in fostering this behavior. Bluesky, however, has seen increased link sharing and has proactively encouraged this behavior.

Post Ordering and Algorithmic Sorting

Bluesky defaults to a reverse chronological feed, which shows posts from accounts users follow. They can also choose to add feeds based on topics, such as cat pictures or trending news. In contrast, Meta’s Threads still defaults to an algorithmic “for you” feed that surfaces a mix of content users want to see and unasked-for posts. This has been compared to a funnel that surfaces random and bizarre content. Content creators on Threads are often incentivized to post through the platform, but not necessarily for the sake of engagement or discussion.

Monetization Strategies

Bluesky has experimented with alternative revenue streams, including selling custom domains and an upcoming feature that will offer extra features to paying users. Graber is cautious about advertising, stating she doesn’t want to monetize the service for the sake of advertising. On the other hand, Threads is already linked to Meta’s massive ad machine, which some believe infiltrates users’ conversations. Although Zuckerberg has stated that the company isn’t in a rush to grow Threads into a large business, it could see significant growth in January, according to reports.

Conclusion

Bluesky stands out as an underdog in this competition. It’s smaller in size, and Meta can leverages its resources to outcompete the platform. However, many users fervently believe that Bluesky is the platform that “values user choice.” While Threads and X place public conversations in the hands of billionaires, Bluesky is structured to be more democratic.

Ultimately, this isn’t just about becoming the next big social media platform. Bluesky’s vision is about changing the way social media operates from the ground up, giving users choice over what they see. Graber emphasizes the importance of having users own their data and communities, allowing more control over the content they engage with.

FAQs

Q: What is the main difference between Threads and Bluesky’s moderation practices?
A: Threads has been accused of inconsistent moderation, while Bluesky offers users more control over the content they see.

Q: How does Bluesky make money?
Bluesky has experimented with alternative revenue streams, including selling custom domains and an upcoming feature for paying users.

Q: Will Threads ever feature an algorithmic feed like Bluesky’s?
Meta has not provided an update, but Threads currently defaults to an algorithmic “for you” feed.

Q: Can users customize their experience on Bluesky?
Yes, Bluesky allows users to create custom feeds based on topics, giving them more control over their experience.

Q: Is BlueSky an alternative to the traditional social media model?
Yes, Bluesky is structured to give users more control over their experiences and communities, offering a more decentralized approach.

Conclusion

The emergence of Threads and Bluesky has sparked a new exploration of social media’s role in online discourse. While both platforms share similar goals, their approaches to moderation, governance, and monetization have significant differences. As the competition between these platforms unfolds, the future of social media will likely be shaped by their distinct visions and values.