Bluesky creator strategy for 2026: what 41M users means

Bluesky isn't "that weird alt-Twitter thing" anymore. It's big enough now that ignoring it starts to look less like focus... and more like denial.

But here's the catch creators always miss: adding a platform is easy. Adding a workflow is the part that quietly eats your week alive.

What happened

On January 29, 2026, Bluesky published its first full-year transparency report for 2025 - and it came with the kind of scale numbers that make "I'll join later" feel... optimistic. The platform says it grew nearly 60% in 2025, from 25.94M to 41.41M registered users (including accounts on Bluesky's infrastructure and independent Personal Data Servers on the wider AT Protocol network). ([bsky.social](https://bsky.social/about/blog/01-29-2026-transparency-report-2025?utm_source=openai))

That same report says users created 1.41 billion posts in 2025 (61% of all posts ever made on Bluesky), and submitted 9.97M reports to moderation. ([techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/30/bluesky-issues-its-first-transparency-report-noting-rise-in-user-reports-and-legal-demands/?utm_source=openai))

Also: the "Jack Dorsey project" storyline is basically over. Dorsey left Bluesky's board in May 2024; the company's been moving under its own leadership for a while now. ([techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2024/05/05/jack-dorsey-says-hes-no-longer-on-the-bluesky-board/?utm_source=openai))

Meanwhile, Bluesky is still playing catch-up on basic creator ergonomics. No native post scheduling (as of early 2026), so third-party schedulers stepped in - and yes, that includes full-on scheduling and thread support depending on the tool. ([metricool.com](https://metricool.com/bluesky-on-metricool/?utm_source=openai))

And they're not slowing down: Bluesky's 2026 roadmap is leaning into "live" moments (events, real-time vibes), plus drafts, video improvements, and better discovery mechanics. ([theverge.com](https://www.theverge.com/news/869235/bluesky-roadmap-2026-feeds-live-event-features?utm_source=openai))

Why creators should care

Attention: You're watching the text-social market split into "huge but crowded" (Threads) and "smaller but culturally intense" (Bluesky). Threads is now over 400M monthly users, and it's experimenting with more explicit feed control ("Dear Algo"). ([theverge.com](https://www.theverge.com/tech/876610/meta-threads-dear-algo-algorithm?utm_source=openai))

Distribution: Bluesky's biggest creator advantage right now is that it still feels like the early internet: more replies, more humans, less "content slurry." The downside is you can't rely on one default algorithm to carry you - custom feeds, starter packs, and community behavior matter more than "post and pray."

Monetization: Bluesky still isn't an in-app payout machine. No meaningful ads ecosystem for creators. So think of it as a top-of-funnel relationship builder that pushes people to your email list, products, Patreon, whatever. (Yes, boring. Yes, effective.)

Workflow: If you're going to use schedulers, you'll be dealing with app passwords and permissions. Bluesky itself has explicitly pushed people to use app passwords for third-party tools, and flagged OAuth as something they intend to implement later. Translation: treat your access like keys, not vibes. ([bsky.app](https://bsky.app/profile/safety.bsky.app/post/3k7wae4mavx27?utm_source=openai))

What to do next

1. Pick a lane for Bluesky: either "daily conversation hub" (15-30 minutes of replies + 1-2 posts) or "distribution mirror" (cross-post your best stuff). Don't do the half-pregnant version where you show up twice a month and call it strategy.

2. Lock your identity down: set up verification if you qualify, and consider using a domain-based handle if you own a domain. Impersonation gets real the moment you get traction. ([theverge.com](https://www.theverge.com/news/652687/bluesky-blue-checks-verification-authentic-notable-accounts?utm_source=openai))

3. Make scheduling boring (in a good way): if you use a third-party scheduler, create a dedicated app password per tool, name it clearly, and revoke it when you stop using the service. That's basic ops. Do it anyway. ([bsky.app](https://bsky.app/profile/safety.bsky.app/post/3k7wae4mavx27?utm_source=openai))

4. Build one repeatable "format" that fits Bluesky: short threads, behind-the-scenes notes, mini case studies, "here's what I learned today." Then recycle it weekly. Consistency beats novelty when you're building a new graph.