Surge of Influencers on Bluesky: Pew Research Highlights Shift in Social Media Landscape
Growing Adoption Among Left-Leaning Influencers
Recent insights from a Pew Research Center analysis reveal a notable increase in the presence of prominent left-leaning social media influencers on Bluesky. This report serves as an update to Pew’s previous news influencer analysis, which was published in November 2024 and did not account for Bluesky’s growing influence. The earlier report examined a select group of 500 influencers, each boasting over 100,000 followers across major platforms and consistently engaging with current events.
Key Findings on Bluesky Membership
In this updated analysis, Pew focused on the same cohort of influencers, investigating their engagement with Bluesky. The findings from February and March indicate that approximately 43% of these influencers now hold accounts on Bluesky, with a significant portion—51%—setting up their accounts after the 2024 presidential election.
Political Divide in Social Media Engagement
The data reveal a stark contrast in platform adoption between liberal and conservative influencers. While 69% of left-leaning influencers—those identifying as Democrats or expressing support for figures like Kamala Harris and Joe Biden—have migrated to Bluesky, only 15% of their conservative counterparts have followed suit. This shift underscores the growing preference among left-leaning voices for Bluesky as a social platform.
Continued Engagement on X
Interestingly, this migration to Bluesky does not appear to heavily impact user retention on X, previously known as Twitter. Under the ownership of Elon Musk, X has maintained its user base among these influencers, with 82% of those tracked by Pew still active on the platform—only a slight decrease from 85% in the summer of 2025.
Moreover, even as left-leaning influencers explore Bluesky, a significant majority—87%—continue to engage more frequently on X compared to their activities on Bluesky. This suggests that while they are diversifying their social media presence, X remains a primary platform for engagement.
Increase in Posting Activity on Bluesky
Despite the continued loyalty to X, activity on Bluesky is on an upward trajectory. Pew’s data indicates that the percentage of influencers posting on Bluesky rose from 54% in the first week of January to 66% by the end of March. This growth signals a burgeoning community and increasing engagement on the platform, particularly among left-leaning voices.
In conclusion, as influencers reassess their social media strategies, Bluesky’s appeal continues to grow, especially among left-leaning influencers, marking a significant trend in the evolving landscape of social media engagement.
