It’s hard to say goodbye to Twitter but there’s a groundswell of users jumping ship. Here’s an easy guide on how to migrate to Bluesky.
In recent months, the social media landscape has been shifting dramatically, with Twitter (now X) undergoing significant changes under new ownership. As a result, many academics are reassessing their use of Twitter for professional networking, research dissemination, and public engagement.
One platform that has emerged as a promising alternative is Bluesky, a decentralized social media platform which is very familiar to Twitter users.
So how easy is it to migrate from Twitter to Bluesky? And why should you bother anyway?
How to migrate from Twitter/X to Bluesky
1. Set up a Bluesky account
The sign-up process is very easy now that you don’t need an invite, just use the ‘Sign up’ button under ‘Join the conversation’.
One thing you’ll notice is you’ll be asked to choose a hosting provider. Go ahead and choose Bluesky, but it’s reassuring that as it’s a decentralised platform, it’s possible to have your account hosted elsewhere if you ever want to.
2. Set up your profile
After creating your account, your handle will be slightly different to Twitter’s: for example bsky.social/profile/pixelshrink instead of x.com/pixelshrink.
Now, you’ll be prompted to set up your profile. Like on Twitter, your profile is the first thing people will see when they visit your Bluesky account, so it’s important to make it professional and representative of your academic persona.
- Profile Picture: Choose a clear, professional profile picture. This could be a headshot, or a logo if you represent an institution or research project.
- Bio: Write a brief but informative bio. Include your academic discipline, current research interests, and perhaps a few links to your work (like your institutional webpage, Google Scholar profile, or ORCID). You can also mention any relevant hashtags or communities you want to be involved in.
- Banner: You can also upload a banner image to personalize your profile further. This could be something related to your academic work, such as a photo of a conference or a project you’re working on.
3. Migrate the accounts you follow
One of the aspects that holds people back from migrating social media accounts is starting from scratch with following all the accounts you like to keep up to date with.
Luckily, there’s a tool that works pretty well to copy the accounts you follow (if they’re on Bluesky) from one platform to another – it’s a browser extension called SkyFollowerBridge.
All you have to do is:
- Download and install the browser extension – it’s available for Chrome (including Edge) and Firefox browsers.
- Go to your Twitter/X follower list. This can be accessed by following the ‘xxx Followers’ link under your profile bio.
- Open the SkyFollowerBridge extension (using your browser’s Extensions button with a jigsaw icon, or Extensions menu item) and input your email or Bluesky handle.
- Under Password, it’s best to follow the link to set up an App password (a password that only works for SkyFollowerBridge), rather than give your main Bluesky password. Input the password you set up.
- The list will now be scanned. You may have to restart it a few times: it’s finished when it’s scrolled down to the bottom of your following list. You can then go to the list of accounts it’s found, and use the ‘Follow all’ button under ‘Action’ on the left hand menu.
We found about a third of the accounts we’re currently following, so you may want to run the tool again in a few months when more people have migrated. You can also scan your followers list and follow them, which will make it easier for them to follow you back.
4. Post to both Twitter/X and Bluesky simultaneously
If you don’t want to completely say goodbye to Twitter just yet, you can easily post to both platforms at the same time. Fedica is a social media scheduler in the same vein as Hootsuite, only they have specialised in supporting the new social media networks that are rivalling X.
So you can simultaneously post to Bluesky, Mastodon and Threads, as well as the more established platforms like Instagram and Facebook, using the Fedica free tier.
5. Sign up now and claim your username
Even if you’re not ready to use Bluesky yet, it’s a good idea to sign up now so that you can get your chosen handle or username for your name or project. We’ve got pixelshrink.bsky.social so it matches our other social media accounts.
Why should I migrate from X to Bluesky?
Hashtags and the usual 256-character limit are all there, so you won’t see much of a difference, apart from a decidedly more positive atmosphere. Are there any other reasons to jump ship apart from familiarity?
1. Decentralization and Autonomy
One of Bluesky’s core innovations is its decentralised architecture. Unlike Twitter/X, where content moderation and policy decisions are made by a central entity, Bluesky operates on a system that allows multiple servers (or “instances”) to interact, while giving users more control over their data and interactions. This decentralised model means that users are not subject to the whims of a single company’s policies or corporate interests, and it offers more transparency and accountability in content moderation.
For academics, this is particularly valuable because it mitigates the risk of algorithmic bias, censorship, or the sudden loss of access to an audience. With Bluesky, academics can maintain a presence on a platform that values user autonomy, an important aspect in ensuring that academic discussions remain free from corporate interference or the limitations imposed by a centralized moderation system.
2. A Community Built on Shared Interests
Bluesky is still in its early stages, but it has cultivated a tight-knit, engaged community that includes many scholars, researchers, and professionals interested in creating a more open and user-centric social media experience. This makes it easier for academics to find like-minded individuals and participate in discussions without the noise and distractions that often dominate Twitter/X.
By joining Bluesky now, academics have the unique opportunity to shape the platform’s culture and ensure that it becomes a space conducive to academic collaboration and discourse. The early adoption of a platform like Bluesky could result in stronger, more relevant networks and communities that prioritize academic and professional development.
3. Less Algorithmic Manipulation, More Organic Engagement
Twitter/X’s algorithm is notorious for prioritizing sensational, often divisive content over thoughtful or niche discussions. This incentivizes attention-grabbing tactics rather than fostering genuine, in-depth conversations. Bluesky’s algorithm, in contrast, is still evolving and prioritizes a more user-controlled experience.
By placing less emphasis on virality and more on the quality of content, Bluesky allows academics to engage more authentically with their peers, collaborate on ideas, and share research without the constant pressure of “gaming” the algorithm.
4. A Platform for the Future
With Twitter/X’s future uncertain, many academics are looking for a more stable and focused platform. Bluesky presents an opportunity to build a sustainable presence in an emerging space that prioritizes innovation, community, and user control.
By transitioning now, academics can help influence the platform’s development and ensure it meets the unique needs of scholarly communication and engagement in the long run.
5. Momentum with Bluesky
Several months ago, Mastodon was the Twitter alternative a lot of people were choosing, as Bluesky was invite-only and Threads was very limited in functionality. Now that Bluesky has got all the features you need, it seems to have the momentum.
Bluesky has got the decentralisation like Mastodon but isn’t half as complicated, and it isn’t owned by another social media corporation, unlike Threads. We discuss the other Twitter replacement options on the blog here.
Conclusion
Bluesky offers a promising alternative to Twitter/X, with its decentralized, community-driven model, emphasis on long-form content, and less manipulative algorithmic structure. For academics who value meaningful discourse and want to be part of a more transparent, open digital space, migrating to Bluesky may just be the next step forward, and it’s not as difficult as you might think.
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