Left-Leaning Influencers Flock to Bluesky, But X Remains Dominant

Left-Leaning Influencers Embrace Bluesky, Maintain X Presence

A new Pew Research Center study reveals a growing trend: left-leaning social media influencers are joining Bluesky, a decentralized social media platform. However, X (formerly Twitter) remains their primary platform.

Pew's updated news influencer report analyzed 500 prominent influencers with over 100,000 followers. The study found 43% of these influencers had Bluesky accounts as of February/March 2025. Over half of these accounts were created after the 2024 presidential election.

Political Divide in Platform Adoption

A significant political divide exists in Bluesky adoption. 69% of left-leaning influencers (those openly supporting liberal or Democratic candidates) joined Bluesky, compared to just 15% of conservative influencers.

Despite this shift, X remains the dominant platform. 82% of the tracked influencers still maintained active X accounts, a slight decrease from 85% in summer 2025. Even among left-leaning influencers embracing Bluesky, 87% continue to use X.

While Elon Musk's perceived alliance with then-candidate Donald Trump seemingly drove some users to Bluesky, the overall impact on X usage appears minimal among these influencers.

Increasing Bluesky Engagement

Although X remains dominant, Bluesky engagement is increasing. The number of influencers actively posting on Bluesky rose from 54% in early January to 66% by late March 2025. This suggests a potential for increased Bluesky usage in the future.

While many left-leaning influencers are exploring Bluesky, X remains their primary platform. This trend highlights the evolving social media landscape and the ongoing competition between platforms.