How to move from X to Bluesky

After 12 years of building a following on Twitter (sorry, X), I've made the decision to start fresh on Bluesky. And I'm not just doing this for my personal account – I'm also moving the org I work for away from the platform.

If you’re thinking of doing the same, here’s how to move from X to Bluesky, without having to start with zero followers.

Why Bluesky?

Since Elon Musk's takeover, Twitter/X has become increasingly hostile. The platform that once fostered genuine connections and meaningful conversations has morphed into something unrecognisable.

In the week following the US election, more than 1 million new members joined Bluesky. While the platform shares some design DNA with X through early connections to Jack Dorsey, Bluesky operates fundamentally differently.

Instead of having a single owner controlling the platform, it uses a distributed system where no single entity has complete authority over the network.

Remember when we'd have actual conversations? When we'd forge real connections? When your timeline wasn't cluttered with paid-for blue ticks, engagement-bait and people slagging off anyone who didn’t look like them or hold the same beliefs?

Whether you do or don’t remember that, you’re in for a real treat on Bluesky.

How to move from X to Bluesky (without losing all your followers)

If you’re worried about starting from scratch on a new platform, there are free tools to help you find your X followers on Bluesky. Here’s what to do. 👇️ 

1. Set up your Bluesky account (use the same bio, profile and banner image as your Twitter/X ones to make it easy.)

2. Create a post saying hello and a bit about yourself.

3. Create an account at: https://skyfollowerbridge.com. 

4. Google ‘Sky Follower Bridge extension’ and add the Chrome or Firefox extension to your browser. 

5. Go to your X profile and click on Followers.

6. Access your Sky Follower Bridge extension while on this page and hit ‘Find Bluesky Users’ Hint: Three tabs come up when you hit Followers in your X account. You’ll need to scan all three – Verified Followers, Followers and Following.

7. Once it’s scanned your followers you can simply follow them manually in your Sky Follower Bridge account. I’m finding most people on Bluesky follow back.

8. Head back into your Bluesky account and start liking and sharing a few posts.

9. Follow me and say hi. 👋 

Here’s what I’ve valued about Bluesky since making the move. (Feel free to use any of these points to argue the move from X to Bluesky with your boss.)

Community over algorithms

Decentralised platforms prioritise genuine engagement over algorithmic manipulation. You see what your community shares, not what an algorithm thinks will keep you scrolling.

Values-aligned spaces matter

For values-led marketers and organisations, being in spaces that align with our values isn't just nice – it's necessary. The hostile environment that's developed on X doesn't serve our audiences or our missions.

Fresh starts can be refreshing

Yes, it's daunting to start from zero followers, but there's something liberating about building intentionally in a more positive space. The engagement on Bluesky feels more genuine, more like those early Twitter days when we were all figuring it out together.

Own your audience

While exploring new platforms is exciting, remember to focus on building your email list. That's the only audience you can truly own, regardless of which platforms come and go.

The nonprofit sector is particularly grappling with this shift. Many organisations are reviewing their social media strategies, considering how platform changes impact their audiences, colleagues and volunteers.

Some are scaling back their activity on X while they monitor the situation. Others are redirecting their energy into building communities on more aligned platforms. There's no one-size-fits-all approach – every organisation needs to consider its own position.

For me and my organisation, the decision to move to Bluesky wasn't just about leaving X – it was about joining a space that better reflects our values and how we want to engage with our communities.

Yes, we might lose some followers in the switchover, but it kinda feels like starting over in a better space is exactly what we need right now.

What do you think?