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Left-leaning influencers embrace Bluesky without abandoning X, Pew says
A Pew Research Center analysis shows that 43% of major left-leaning influencers now have accounts on Bluesky, with 69% of these influencers adopting the platform post-2024 election. However, most continue to use X (Twitter), with 82% maintaining an account there, reflecting a partial shift rather than a complete abandonment of X.
Key points
- 43% of left-leaning influencers have accounts on Bluesky.
- 51% of these accounts were created after the 2024 presidential election.
- 69% of left-leaning influencers moved to Bluesky, in contrast to only 15% of conservative influencers.
- 82% of tracked influencers still maintain an account on X, a slight decrease from 85% in summer 2025.
- Influencers are still more active on X compared to Bluesky.
- The percentage of influencers posting on Bluesky increased from 54% in early January to 66% by late March 2025.
Why it matters
- The shift of influencers to Bluesky reflects trends in digital communication and social media diversification.
- Historical context includes the rise of alternative social media platforms in reaction to established entities like Twitter.
- The political divide in social media platform adoption illustrates ongoing polarization in U.S. politics, particularly post-2020 elections.
- By 2025, the evolution of information sharing continues to shape narratives within political and social movements.
The Pew report highlights a growing trend among left-leaning influencers towards Bluesky while still predominantly using X, showcasing a complex media landscape where new platforms emerge without completely displacing established ones.