Most have heard about Bluesky by now, the social network that has been on the rise as of late 2024 (it has more than 27.5 million users as of Jan. 15).
What you might be wondering about, though: Who is using it? What types of accounts exist? News organizations, publications, and sports teams seem to make up a good portion — and even state and local governments are starting to join in.
As a government communicator, you may be considering making the move to Bluesky, too. It’s never a bad idea to get a feel for what new social platforms are out there, after all!
We offer some questions and tips to keep in mind as you either consider making the switch or are just getting started.
Who do I want to reach?
Audiences have become increasingly fragmented, and it’s possible more governments may use Bluesky to reach as many people as possible — especially when it comes to urgent information.

Joining another social platform could be a way to diversify: expand where you’re publishing content and while reaching different audiences.
How much do I want to invest?
We know some agencies are more likely than others to jump on new social networks. But for those that join Bluesky now, their “early-adopter presence” could bring more engagement and growth than others who join later.
Moving to a new social network takes work, though – we get it. That’s why it’s important to ask from the start how much time you plan to invest in keeping up a publishing schedule, and what the plan is moving forward.
Is establishing credibility on a new platform important to me?
Along similar lines, if you want to establish credibility early on it could be the perfect time to get on board. Since Bluesky does not offer verified badges like other social media platforms, municipalities can do their part by claiming prime handles and verifying their handle using their website’s domain.

This in turn can prevent bad-faith actors from impersonating government agencies and politicians.
Bluesky & SND
Are you taking advantage of Bluesky in Social News Desk? You can now publish, schedule and even automate your Bluesky content in SND. Whether you recently joined Bluesky or have been “learning the ropes”, now is a great time to connect your account in SND to streamline posts with Autopilot. If you want to learn more about automation, you can read up on all the ways to take advantage of Autopilot on the different platforms here.
We’d love to hear how your organization is using Bluesky! Have questions, or want to learn more? We can even help get you started! Send us an email: support@socialnewsdesk.com.