The landscape of social media for science communication has undergone a significant transformation, with Bluesky rising as a central platform. A thorough investigation carried out by scholars at the University of Sheffield, UK, and Renmin University of China uncovers a remarkable trend: Bluesky is experiencing vastly greater engagement and originality in scientific content compared to its rival, X. This research, covering more than 2.6 million posts referencing over 530,000 academic articles from January 2023 to July 2025, highlights the increasing influence of Bluesky within the scientific community.
A key factor in this transition is the significant surge in scholarly activity on Bluesky from November 2024 to January 2025. This spike aligns with a mass exodus of researchers and scientific organizations from X, driven by escalating concerns regarding the platform under Elon Musk’s leadership.
The research presents a comprehensive analysis of the sectors gaining prominence on Bluesky. Medicine dominates substantially, featuring in 25.6% of posts, followed by social sciences at 15%, biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology at 11.7%, and environmental science at 9.1%. Conversely, disciplines such as chemistry and materials science are underrepresented, accounting for only 0.9% and 0.8% of posts, respectively.
Engagement statistics on Bluesky are particularly strong, with nearly 50% of the posts acquiring at least 10 likes. Additionally, 34.4% of posts are reposted 10 times or more, 10.4% receive 10 or more quotes, and 11% generate 10 or more replies. These statistics emphasize a higher level of interaction in comparison to X, indicating that academic posts on Bluesky enjoy sustained and varied audience engagement.
A notable feature of Bluesky’s scientific discussions is users’ propensity to go beyond simply sharing article titles. They often engage in introducing, reinterpreting, summarizing, or commenting on the research, reflecting a more vibrant and interpretive approach to science communication.
In summary, the researchers emphasize that Bluesky not only enhances the early visibility of research outputs but also cultivates meaningful scholarly conversations. As the social media environment continues to advance, platforms like Bluesky could be pivotal in shaping the future of science communication.