Bluesky Surpasses 20 Million Users Amid Rising Fake Accounts

Bluesky, the alternative social media platform, has been on a remarkable growth trajectory since election day, recently surpassing 20 million users. This surge in popularity comes as many users are leaving Elon Musk's X, previously known as Twitter, due to various changes and Musk's involvement in the upcoming Trump administration. As Bluesky continues to gain traction, it is beginning to outshine competitors like Meta's Threads in several key metrics.

However, with this rapid growth comes a significant challenge: the rise of fake accounts. Just this week, an account impersonating billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman went viral on Bluesky, falsely suggesting that the platform should be acquired to prevent users from leaving Musk's X. This incident highlights a growing concern as scammers and malicious actors take notice of Bluesky's expanding user base.

Fake accounts are not a new phenomenon in the world of social media. For instance, Musk's X had to temporarily suspend its paid verification system shortly after its launch due to a flood of fake accounts. While Bluesky has been relatively effective in shutting down reported accounts that violate its rules, it is still a new platform with only 20 million users. Many prominent figures from other social media platforms have yet to join Bluesky, making it easier for users to be misled by accounts claiming to be these notable individuals.

One of the unique challenges Bluesky faces is its lack of an identity verification system. Unlike other major platforms, where a verified blue checkmark signifies authenticity, Bluesky currently does not offer such a feature. The introduction of paid verification on platforms like X and Meta has diluted the trustworthiness of verification marks, leaving users to question the authenticity of accounts.

Bluesky does allow users to create custom usernames, which can further complicate matters. When users sign up, they receive a username in the format of "@yourname.bsky.social". They can then connect their own domain name, changing their username to "@yourname.com". While this feature is intended to enhance user experience and serve as a form of self-verification, it also means that the original username is released back into circulation. This can lead to confusion, as users may not realize that their original handle is now available for anyone to register.

While Bluesky may not yet be as inundated with scammers, bots, and trolls as X, it is still a platform on the internet where users must remain vigilant. As the platform grows, the potential for fraud will likely increase. Therefore, if you plan to spend time on Bluesky, it is essential to stay alert and be cautious of accounts that may not be what they seem. Remember, in the world of social media, not everything is as it appears, and a little skepticism can go a long way in protecting yourself from online deception.