Andrew Hutchinson
@adhutchinson.bsky.social
Content and Social Media Manager at Social Media Today. Author of two novels. Father of two teens.
So, yes, you're probably right, there probably are a lot more bots on X, but I can't prove that. So I can't claim it.
And given the massive variance between the usage of the 3 platforms, I don't think it's as big a factor as you suggest.
But I could put a note that X's numbers are self reported.
And given the massive variance between the usage of the 3 platforms, I don't think it's as big a factor as you suggest.
But I could put a note that X's numbers are self reported.
August 10, 2025 at 3:49 AM
So, yes, you're probably right, there probably are a lot more bots on X, but I can't prove that. So I can't claim it.
And given the massive variance between the usage of the 3 platforms, I don't think it's as big a factor as you suggest.
But I could put a note that X's numbers are self reported.
And given the massive variance between the usage of the 3 platforms, I don't think it's as big a factor as you suggest.
But I could put a note that X's numbers are self reported.
There are also various anecdotal and limited scale reports on Bluesky bots, and you can probably guess what they'll peg their bot percentage to be (I've asked Bluesky about this).
The problem is, only the platforms themselves can provide an accurate bot count, and they have no incentive to do so.
The problem is, only the platforms themselves can provide an accurate bot count, and they have no incentive to do so.
August 10, 2025 at 3:49 AM
There are also various anecdotal and limited scale reports on Bluesky bots, and you can probably guess what they'll peg their bot percentage to be (I've asked Bluesky about this).
The problem is, only the platforms themselves can provide an accurate bot count, and they have no incentive to do so.
The problem is, only the platforms themselves can provide an accurate bot count, and they have no incentive to do so.
But Elon says that X is up to 600 million active users, and the bot prevalence in the app remains steady at 5%. Neither is likely true, and there are various reports, like the one you've quoted, which suggest it's much higher. But these are all anecdotal, and the only official info from X is 5%.
August 10, 2025 at 3:49 AM
But Elon says that X is up to 600 million active users, and the bot prevalence in the app remains steady at 5%. Neither is likely true, and there are various reports, like the one you've quoted, which suggest it's much higher. But these are all anecdotal, and the only official info from X is 5%.
This is especially true given that Elon claims that X is gaining users, yet its only official, legally auditable results show that X is losing a lot of users.
www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-forme...
www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-forme...
X Continues To Lose EU Users According To Latest DSA Report
European users are turning away from Elon's social media experiment.
www.socialmediatoday.com
August 10, 2025 at 3:49 AM
This is especially true given that Elon claims that X is gaining users, yet its only official, legally auditable results show that X is losing a lot of users.
www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-forme...
www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-forme...
He later scaled this back down to 20%. Then, shortly after taking over the app, he claimed that bots has been abolished, though with no impact on X's user counts. Which makes no sense.
www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-conti...
www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-conti...
X Continues To Share Misleading Data Notes, as Third Party Reports Show Declines in Usage
X continues to amplify misleading stats on its performance.
www.socialmediatoday.com
August 10, 2025 at 3:49 AM
He later scaled this back down to 20%. Then, shortly after taking over the app, he claimed that bots has been abolished, though with no impact on X's user counts. Which makes no sense.
www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-conti...
www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-conti...
X also pegs its fake account prevalence at 5%, though when Elon was trying to get out of his Twitter bid, he claimed that, via his own audit, it was more like 30%.
www.socialmediatoday.com/news/twitter...
www.socialmediatoday.com/news/twitter...
Twitter’s Bot-Battling Claims Don’t Add Up Based on Relative User Growth
Twitter's either added a record amount of new users, or it's not tackling bots as aggressively as it claims.
www.socialmediatoday.com
August 10, 2025 at 3:49 AM
X also pegs its fake account prevalence at 5%, though when Elon was trying to get out of his Twitter bid, he claimed that, via his own audit, it was more like 30%.
www.socialmediatoday.com/news/twitter...
www.socialmediatoday.com/news/twitter...
Presumably, that also means that Threads has around 3% fakes, if not more, but again, this is only going on the officially reported numbers.
August 10, 2025 at 3:49 AM
Presumably, that also means that Threads has around 3% fakes, if not more, but again, this is only going on the officially reported numbers.
But this is based on randomized sampling - Meta checks a segment of accounts then provides an estimated prevalence figure based on this. So we don't know how accurate that is, as only Meta could possibly provide this data, though it has also allowed 3rd party analysts to confirm its methodology.
August 10, 2025 at 3:49 AM
But this is based on randomized sampling - Meta checks a segment of accounts then provides an estimated prevalence figure based on this. So we don't know how accurate that is, as only Meta could possibly provide this data, though it has also allowed 3rd party analysts to confirm its methodology.
Meta had long maintained that fake accounts make up 5% of its active user counts, but it recently reduced that to 3% in its most recent report:
www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-tr...
www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-tr...
Meta Says Community Notes Is Working Based on Latest Enforcement Data
The latest insight into Meta's moderation and rule enforcement efforts.
www.socialmediatoday.com
August 10, 2025 at 3:49 AM
Meta had long maintained that fake accounts make up 5% of its active user counts, but it recently reduced that to 3% in its most recent report:
www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-tr...
www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-tr...
This report is also looking at the trend data for Bluesky, and what they mean for its long term viability. X’s performance is also way down, but that still doesn’t relate to the data on Bluesky’s own usage.
August 10, 2025 at 12:15 AM
This report is also looking at the trend data for Bluesky, and what they mean for its long term viability. X’s performance is also way down, but that still doesn’t relate to the data on Bluesky’s own usage.
There is no official data to support that, only limited scale reports. And even if that were accurate, it still wouldn’t change the focus of this report looking at Bluesky’s performance. 32m users, with only a percentage of them being active, is still small-scale in comparison to every other app.
August 10, 2025 at 12:15 AM
There is no official data to support that, only limited scale reports. And even if that were accurate, it still wouldn’t change the focus of this report looking at Bluesky’s performance. 32m users, with only a percentage of them being active, is still small-scale in comparison to every other app.
No, and as I’ve reported previously, even Elon Musk reported higher boy counts in his own assessment (when he was trying to get out of the deal). But that’s a separate story, which, again, I’ve also reported. Many, many times.
August 9, 2025 at 11:22 PM
No, and as I’ve reported previously, even Elon Musk reported higher boy counts in his own assessment (when he was trying to get out of the deal). But that’s a separate story, which, again, I’ve also reported. Many, many times.
It’s not verified info, it’s based on limited analysis. X officially reports that 5% of its active users are bots.
It also still wouldn’t change the fact that Bluesky’s growth has slowed and possible volume is declining.
It also still wouldn’t change the fact that Bluesky’s growth has slowed and possible volume is declining.
August 9, 2025 at 9:57 PM
It’s not verified info, it’s based on limited analysis. X officially reports that 5% of its active users are bots.
It also still wouldn’t change the fact that Bluesky’s growth has slowed and possible volume is declining.
It also still wouldn’t change the fact that Bluesky’s growth has slowed and possible volume is declining.
This is valid. I went with the user count quoted by Jay Graber, which is not MAU.
August 9, 2025 at 2:31 AM
This is valid. I went with the user count quoted by Jay Graber, which is not MAU.
Okay. I’m not making any personal comments about you, and I’ve responded to your thoughts in, I think, a fair way. But I don’t feel much need to engage with this type of remark.
Good luck.
Good luck.
August 9, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Okay. I’m not making any personal comments about you, and I’ve responded to your thoughts in, I think, a fair way. But I don’t feel much need to engage with this type of remark.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Because I’m writing about general trends that relate to the viability of the platform, not on the specifics that you want me to talk about.
August 9, 2025 at 2:27 AM
Because I’m writing about general trends that relate to the viability of the platform, not on the specifics that you want me to talk about.
Also, I’m not overly concerned about the pile on. If it was my opinion, maybe, but I’m reporting the data trends.
August 9, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Also, I’m not overly concerned about the pile on. If it was my opinion, maybe, but I’m reporting the data trends.
Mike, the fact is that slower growth, and lower posting activity over time are bad signs, no matter how you want to contextualize them. And yes, you may be happy with how Bluesky is, but if it can’t make money, that won’t matter.
August 9, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Mike, the fact is that slower growth, and lower posting activity over time are bad signs, no matter how you want to contextualize them. And yes, you may be happy with how Bluesky is, but if it can’t make money, that won’t matter.
Writing an analysis of the facts available is not bad faith. Based on the numbers, most SMT readers are not on Bluesky, and they may be wondering whether they should bother with it. Giving them general usage numbers can help in that consideration, while also noting that there may be niche engagement
August 9, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Writing an analysis of the facts available is not bad faith. Based on the numbers, most SMT readers are not on Bluesky, and they may be wondering whether they should bother with it. Giving them general usage numbers can help in that consideration, while also noting that there may be niche engagement
So in terms of learning why the platform is succeeding or failing, yes, you would want to dig into this. But that’s not my audience. So it would be of interest, maybe, but not the focus.
August 9, 2025 at 12:48 AM
So in terms of learning why the platform is succeeding or failing, yes, you would want to dig into this. But that’s not my audience. So it would be of interest, maybe, but not the focus.
I understand what you’re saying, but this article is about general trends, for an audience that’s considering whether they should be on it or not. Specific trend data would be relevant, but outside of that, this kind of in depth analysis is more about understanding its relative growth as a platform.
August 9, 2025 at 12:48 AM
I understand what you’re saying, but this article is about general trends, for an audience that’s considering whether they should be on it or not. Specific trend data would be relevant, but outside of that, this kind of in depth analysis is more about understanding its relative growth as a platform.
I’ve also covered bots on X extensively, and yes, that’s also a problem. But even at 75% of X’s reported 500m daily posts, that’d still mean that a lot more human activity is still happen in the app. It’s more comparable, sure, but as a general assessment of Bluesky’s growth, this is still valid.
August 9, 2025 at 12:44 AM
I’ve also covered bots on X extensively, and yes, that’s also a problem. But even at 75% of X’s reported 500m daily posts, that’d still mean that a lot more human activity is still happen in the app. It’s more comparable, sure, but as a general assessment of Bluesky’s growth, this is still valid.
As noted in the post 38m accounts is still significant, but in comparison to what would be considered its competitors, it’s not great, and slowing growth is not a good sign.
August 9, 2025 at 12:44 AM
As noted in the post 38m accounts is still significant, but in comparison to what would be considered its competitors, it’s not great, and slowing growth is not a good sign.
Yeah, maybe. But again, I’m writing for social media marketers who are wondering if they should pay attention to Bluesky. As such, digging into specific trends could be of value (and it’s something that I will ask the Bluesky team about), but this post is looking at general indicators of viability
August 9, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Yeah, maybe. But again, I’m writing for social media marketers who are wondering if they should pay attention to Bluesky. As such, digging into specific trends could be of value (and it’s something that I will ask the Bluesky team about), but this post is looking at general indicators of viability
Because I’m only talking about general activity levels. I’m looking at the future prospects of the app, and lower activity over time, especially while the member count is increasing, seems like not a great sign.
August 9, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Because I’m only talking about general activity levels. I’m looking at the future prospects of the app, and lower activity over time, especially while the member count is increasing, seems like not a great sign.