Bluesky or Mastodon?

It is a pity that Mastodon is not mentioned at all during the current hype for Bluesky. After the last American election, Bluesky has a real chance of taking off. I have created a list of Fact-Checkers and Global Voices Community members who are moving to Bluesky en masse. Turkish users seem to prefer Bluesky more.  I guess Bluesky’s ease of use and familiarity with the golden age of Twitter are big gains. Mastodon sounds more technical and harder to use, although not at all. In the last analysis, it looks like Bluesky is more American, and Mastodon is more European.

I have asked Perplexity to compile a list of pros and cons for these two Twitter alternatives:

As interest in Twitter alternatives grows, both Bluesky and Mastodon have emerged as notable contenders. Let’s explore the pros and cons of each platform:

Bluesky

Pros

1. User Control: Bluesky emphasizes user autonomy, allowing users to dictate their feed and content moderation[1].

2. Open-Source and Decentralized: The platform operates on an open-source model, promoting transparency and community involvement[1].

3. Account Portability: The AT Protocol allows users to move their accounts to another social media site without losing data or followers[1].

4. Custom Domains: Users can set a custom domain as their handle, providing a personalized touch[1].

5. Ad-Free Experience: Currently, Bluesky operates without advertisements, creating a cleaner user interface[2].

Cons

1. Limited User Base: With only about 2.5 million users as of November 2023, Bluesky’s community is still relatively small[5].

2. Monetization Uncertainty: The platform’s plans for generating revenue remain unclear, raising questions about long-term sustainability[1].

3. Content Moderation Challenges: The decentralized nature can lead to inconsistent content moderation across different servers[7].

4. Technical Issues: As a new platform, users might experience bugs, downtimes, or other challenges as Bluesky scales[1].

5. Limited Features: Bluesky still lacks some features found on more established platforms, such as direct messaging and verification marks[5].

Mastodon

Pros

1. Enhanced Privacy Controls: Mastodon offers users greater control over post visibility and content accessibility[6].

2. No Central Authority: The platform isn’t controlled by a single corporation, reducing the risk of unwanted policy changes[6].

3. Diverse Communities: Mastodon provides a wide range of instances catering to various interests[6].

4. No Ads: The platform operates without advertising, leading to a less cluttered user experience[6].

5. Longer Posts: Mastodon allows for 500-character posts, enabling more comprehensive self-expression[6].

Cons

1. Smaller User Base: With about 1.7 million active users, Mastodon’s community is significantly smaller than mainstream platforms[6].

2. Learning Curve: The platform’s unique features and interface may take time for new users to understand[6].

3. Fragmentation: Different instances can lead to a fragmented user experience, making it difficult to find and interact with people across the network[8].

4. Limited Discoverability: The decentralized nature can make it challenging to discover new users, content, and communities[8].

5. Technical Complexity: Running a Mastodon instance requires technical skill, and there’s no centralized support system for technical issues[8].

Both Bluesky and Mastodon offer unique approaches to social networking, emphasizing user control and decentralization. The choice between them may depend on individual preferences for features, community size, and technical comfort level.

Citations:

1. Bluesky Social: Everything You Need to Know – Buffer
2. Bluesky vs. Twitter: A Comparison of Features and Differences – SocialBee
3. Mastodon vs. Twitter: A Comparative Review – History Tools
4. Twitter vs. Mastodon vs. Mighty Networks: Which Platform is Best for You? – Mighty Networks
5. Bluesky Review: A Promising Twitter Alternative Growing at a Snail’s Pace – The Hindu
6. Twitter vs. Mastodon: The Ultimate Social Media Showdown – Publer
7. Bluesky Social Review: The New Kid on the Block – Orage Technologies
8. Mastodon Review: Pros, Cons, and Everything in Between – Bite Size Marketing