Bluesky, the decentralized social network that went live with a wave of hype, crossed a big milestone: 38 million registered users. For a platform starting as an invite-only alternative to X, formerly Twitter, that is no small feat. To many tech analysts, this is a signal that people are still very active in exploring new social spaces-especially those not controlled by one corporation.
There is, however, another side of the story.
While sign-ups are rising, post activity on the platform has been slowing down. Daily publishing is lower than it was a few months ago, leading many users to ask questions like:
l Is Bluesky dying?
l Is Bluesky dead?
l Why does the feed feel quieter?
l Is the initial hype fading away?
In this in-depth TechBiz report, we will explore everything happening inside the network — from Bluesky trending topics to Bluesky metrics, user behaviour, RSS options, and even the unusual viral moments such as the Pete Buttigieg Bluesky trend.
We’ll also discuss how to grow on the platform, why the “blue sky fading” narrative isn’t the full picture, and what the 38M milestone actually means for the future.
Whether you’re a creator, marketer, or casual social media user, this article will give you a clear and honest look at where Bluesky stands today — and where it could go next.
A Quick Look at Bluesky’s Journey So Far
Bluesky started as a project inside Twitter, originally funded to explore decentralised social networking. When Elon Musk took over Twitter, the Bluesky team made the project independent. After that, the app built massive anticipation through its invitation-only phase.
However, Bluesky’s challenge has never been sign-ups. It has always been about retention — keeping people active and engaged.
And this is where the conversation becomes more complex.
The Quiet Reality: Post Volume Is Dropping
Despite hitting new user records, Bluesky’s post volume graph is moving downward. According to various third-party Bluesky metrics dashboards, daily posting can drop up to 20–30% depending on the month.
This raises a list of questions:
l Why are fewer people posting?
l Is the novelty wearing off?
l Are feeds too confusing for new users?
l Has the decentralised model scared off casual users?
l Is Bluesky becoming another platform with big numbers but low passion?
These questions make the “is Bluesky dying?” and “is Bluesky dead?” conversations unavoidable.
Why Post Activity Is Declining (But Sign-Ups Aren’t)
1. Users Join Out of Curiosity, Not Commitment
A large percentage of Bluesky’s 38M sign-ups came from users simply wanting to check out the app. Many joined, looked around, posted once or twice, and never returned. This is a common pattern on new social networks — including Mastodon, Threads, and even early Twitter.
2. Feed Systems Can Be Confusing for Newcomers
Bluesky doesn’t rely on one algorithmic feed. Instead, it uses a system of custom feeds such as:
l “What’s Hot”
l “Discover”
l “Local”
l personal feeds created by users using Bluesky’s feed builder
This is powerful, but it is also overwhelming for beginners who don’t understand:
l Bluesky how to post to a feed
l how to follow custom feeds
l how to create or subscribe to them
When a platform isn’t instantly intuitive, casual users drift away.
3. Trending Topics Are Not Always Obvious
Unlike X or TikTok, Bluesky does not have a clearly visible Trending page. People search for Bluesky trending topics, but the feature remains limited. When users don’t know what’s going viral, the platform feels less alive.
4. Bluesky’s Culture Is Different
Bluesky is quieter, more personal, and often more niche. Some users love this slower vibe. Others find it boring compared to the chaos of Twitter or TikTok.
5. Growth Isn’t Evenly Distributed
Many big sign-up waves were triggered by unusual viral moments such as the Pete Buttigieg Bluesky leak — a story that quickly spread across the platform. But once the wave passes, post volume naturally drops.
In other words, Bluesky is experiencing spikes, not steady long-term engagement.
Is Bluesky Really Fading? The “Blue Sky Fading” Narrative Explained
The phrase “blue sky fading” has become a meme among frustrated users who feel the platform has lost energy. The feeds feel slower, fewer conversations are happening, and the novelty is wearing off.
But does this mean the platform is dying?
Not exactly — and here is why.
1. Sign-Ups Are Still Growing Fast
Platforms that are actually dying experience negative growth. Bluesky is doing the opposite.
2. Developers Are Active and Introducing New Features
In the last few months, Bluesky has added:
l Bluesky emojis
l DMs (early version)
l improved feed tools
l better moderation options
l enhanced thread UX
l RSS support through third-party tools (Bluesky RSS)
A dying platform doesn’t ship features this quickly.
3. Decentralised Networks Grow Differently
Bluesky hit 38M in under two years.
That isn’t fading — that is strong decentralised growth.
4. Activity Drops Are Normal After Viral Waves
Every new social network experiences:
l hype
l huge sign-ups
l slower engagement
l steady long-term growth
Bluesky is currently in phase 3 — the stabilisation period.
So no — Bluesky is not dead. It’s just evolving.
Bluesky Trending Topics: What Actually Goes Viral?
Because there is no central Trending page, users often search for “Bluesky trending topics” to find out what is popular. Based on user behaviour and feed activity, trending topics usually fall into these categories:
l political events (like US elections)
l celebrity posts
l platform drama or feature updates
l leaks or viral screenshots
l memes
l decentralisation discussions
l humorous posts from niche communities
A strong example was the Pete Buttigieg Bluesky leak, which created a massive wave of new sign-ups and discussions.
But because trending topics aren’t centralised, new users may not realise how lively the platform actually is.
Understanding Bluesky Metrics: What the Numbers Tell Us
To understand Bluesky’s real health, let’s break down core Bluesky metrics:
1. Total users: 38M+
This number continues growing month after month.
2. Daily active users (DAUs): moderate
Lower than Threads or X, but stable.
3. Monthly active users (MAUs): healthy
A large portion of sign-ups return at least once a month.
4. Post volume: fluctuating
This is the metric that sparks the “Bluesky dying?” debate.
5. Feed subscription volume: rising
More users are subscribing to custom feeds every month.
6. Third-party integrations: increasing
Such as Bluesky RSS tools, bot accounts, and analytics dashboards.
These numbers indicate not a dying platform but a platform that is maturing — and finding its identity.
Bluesky and the 38 Grove Street Trend — A Fun Community Moment
You may have seen people posting about 38 Grove Street or 38 Grove St. These jokes emerged inside Bluesky and became a mini-trend among users. It represents the type of humour that often goes viral on smaller platforms:
l inside jokes
l community memes
l random nostalgia posts
l fictional addresses or stories
This is why people say Bluesky has “old Tumblr energy” — and it helps build community even when overall activity fluctuates.
How to Post, Grow, and Stay Active on Bluesky (Simple UK Guide)
If you’re new to Bluesky and unsure how things work, here are simple steps.
1. How to Post on a Feed (Bluesky How to Post to a Feed)
On Bluesky, a “feed” is not the same as your home timeline. It’s a custom stream of posts built around an idea or theme. To post into a feed:
l Write your post as normal.
l Use the tags or keywords that the feed requires.
l If the feed auto-detects matching posts, it will pick it up.
l If it requires manual submission, use the feed’s “add post” feature.
Feeds are extremely powerful, but they take time to learn.
Bluesky Emojis: A Feature Users Love
Bluesky recently introduced emoji reactions, which quickly became popular across feeds and communities. These aren’t just standard emojis — Bluesky is also exploring custom emoji packs, reactions, and richer interactions.
Engagement features like this are important for boosting activity, especially at a time when post volume is slowing down.
The Bluesky Leak Culture — Why Users Love Unfiltered Moments
Part of Bluesky’s charm comes from the small “leak-style” moments — viral screenshots, unexpected quotes, private jokes, and high-profile posts. The Bluesky leak meme represents this culture of openness and spontaneity.
But while these leaks create viral spikes, they also highlight the platform’s unpredictability — some weeks are calm, others chaotic.
So, Is Bluesky Dying? Here Is the Honest Answer
Let’s address the big question head-on.
No — Bluesky is not dying.
But it is going through a quiet period after massive waves of hype.
Here’s the real situation:
l If you look at sign-ups, Bluesky is booming.
l If you look at engagement, Bluesky is stabilising.
l If you look at culture, Bluesky is lively but niche.
l If you look at future potential, Bluesky is still one of the strongest decentralised networks today.
How Bluesky Can Increase Growth and Engagement in 2025
For Bluesky to reverse the decline in post activity, it may need to focus on:
l stronger discovery tools
l a central trending page
l better onboarding tutorials
l clearer feed explanations
l more personalisation
l easier cross-posting tools
l improved RSS options
l more mobile-friendly feed controls
l enhanced creator tools
If these features arrive, Bluesky could easily see a second expansion wave.
Final Thoughts: Bluesky at 38 Million Users — A Platform in Transition
Bluesky’s journey is far from over. Reaching 38M users shows that people still want alternatives to Big Tech social networks. Yes, post volume is down, and yes, the “blue sky fading” meme exists. But user growth, developer support, and community culture remain strong.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. Is Bluesky dying?
No. While post activity has slowed, user growth is still strong and developers are actively releasing new features.
2. Is Bluesky dead?
No. The platform recently crossed 38M users and continues to attract new sign-ups.
3. What are Bluesky trending topics?
They include political discussions, viral posts, platform news, tech culture, and community memes like “38 Grove Street”.
4. What are Bluesky metrics?
Key metrics include total users, daily active users, feed subscriptions, RSS integrations, and post volume.
5. Why are fewer people posting?
New users join out of curiosity but don’t always stay active. The feed system can also be confusing for beginners.
6. What is the Pete Buttigieg Bluesky trend?
It was a viral moment involving posts attributed to Pete Buttigieg, which sparked heavy engagement on the platform.
7. What does “blue sky fading” mean?
It’s a meme referring to lower post activity, not the platform dying.
8. Does Bluesky support RSS?
Yes — through third-party tools known as Bluesky RSS feeds.
9. How do I post to a feed?
Write your post normally and tag it according to the feed’s rules. Some feeds auto-pick posts; others require manual submission.
10. Are Bluesky emojis available?
Yes. Bluesky now supports emojis and reactions, with more features coming soon.