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Sheffield Digital has left X and moved to Bluesky

by Claire Fletcher

Here’s why, and how you can too.

Sheffield Digital has officially left X (formerly Twitter) and is now using Bluesky as a key communication channel. We know that many in our community have been reconsidering their presence on X, and we want to share why we made the move—and how you can too.

Why we left X

Over the past few years, X has become an increasingly challenging platform for transparent and meaningful engagement. From algorithmic changes that limit organic reach to growing concerns about moderation policies and misinformation, the platform no longer aligns with our values as an organisation. 

Bluesky, on the other hand, offers a better space to communicate: an open, decentralised social network designed to prioritise user control and experience, transparency, and a positive online environment.

The platform gained grassroots traction around two years ago, but has really taken off since the 2024 US election. Built around the idea that you can control your data environment, it’s a place where we can continue to connect with our community without the noise and unpredictability that have made X difficult to navigate.

How we’ll be using Bluesky

Sheffield Digital will use Bluesky to amplify the news and opportunities of our members, and as a platform to champion the city’s digital industries.

We will share jobs, events and announcements from the community and from our organisation, as well as utilising features of Bluesky (such as StarterPacks) to build connections in the community and help our followers to curate their own social media environment. You can check out our tech folk StarterPack here.

For those members who choose not to join Bluesky, there are still many ways that we can promote you and your business, including LinkedIn, Slack and our fortnightly newsletter.

How to move to Bluesky

If you’re thinking about making the switch, this post on Medium by James Plunkett offers some excellent guidance on how to transition from X to Bluesky, including:

  • Practical steps for setting up your Bluesky profile
  • How to let your network know you’re moving and quickly copy your followers on X over to Bluesky to see if they’ve joined.
  • Strategies for making the most of Bluesky’s features, such as StarterPacks.

If you’re ready to sign up, or just want to explore what Bluesky is about, we can help. You can find Sheffield Digital on Bluesky here and you can chat to Chris Dymond, who has been using Bluesky for a while now, over on Slack.