Left-leaning Influencers Shift to Bluesky While Maintaining Presence on X

In recent times, a notable trend has emerged among prominent left-leaning social media figures who are increasingly adopting Bluesky as a platform for their voices. This shift has been highlighted in a recent analysis by a research organization that aims to quantify the extent of this transition.

This analysis serves as an update to a previous report that focused on a select group of 500 influential figures, all boasting over 100,000 followers on at least one major social media platform and actively engaging in discussions about current events. The earlier report did not account for Bluesky, making this new data particularly significant.

In this latest examination, the same group of influencers was analyzed, revealing that as of February and March, 43% of them had established accounts on Bluesky. Interestingly, more than half (51%) of these accounts were created after the 2024 presidential election, indicating a surge in interest following significant political events.

A stark contrast exists between the behaviors of left-leaning and right-leaning influencers. A remarkable 69% of those identifying as liberals or Democrats, who had previously shown support for political figures like Kamala Harris or Joe Biden, have made the transition to Bluesky. In comparison, only 15% of conservative influencers have followed suit.

Despite this migration, it appears that many influencers are not completely abandoning their presence on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. While the platform’s owner has been associated with political figures that may have influenced user migration, a substantial 82% of the influencers tracked still maintain accounts on X, a slight decrease from 85% in the summer of 2025.

This suggests that while left-leaning influencers are exploring Bluesky, the majority (87%) have not severed ties with X. Furthermore, Pew’s findings indicate that most influencers continue to engage more frequently on X compared to Bluesky.

However, there is a noticeable uptick in activity on Bluesky, with the percentage of influencers actively posting on the platform rising from 54% in early January to 66% by the end of March.

In conclusion, the landscape of social media is evolving, with left-leaning influencers embracing new platforms while still holding onto their established presence. This dual engagement reflects the dynamic nature of online discourse and the ongoing search for spaces that align with their values and audience engagement strategies.

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