Bluesky monthly active users (MAU) is one of the most requested statistics about the platform, yet Bluesky doesn't officially report this number. In January 2026, third-party estimates place Bluesky's MAU at 12-15 million users, representing strong engagement from its 40+ million registered user base.
This article breaks down what we know about Bluesky's monthly active users, how MAU compares to total registrations, and what these numbers mean for creators and brands considering the platform.
Bluesky MAU January 2026: Key Numbers
| Metric | January 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Total Registered Users | 40.2 million | Bluesky (Official) |
| Monthly Active Users (MAU) | 12-15 million | Third-party estimates |
| Daily Active Users (DAU) | ~4 million | Third-party estimates |
| MAU/Registered Ratio | 30-35% | Calculated |
| DAU/MAU Ratio | 25-30% | Calculated |
Why Doesn't Bluesky Report MAU?
Unlike publicly traded companies such as Meta (which reports Threads MAU), Bluesky is a private company with no obligation to disclose detailed user metrics. They choose to report total registered users, which shows growth momentum but doesn't indicate active engagement.
This is common for growing social platforms. Total users is a marketing-friendly number that shows trajectory, while MAU reveals actual platform health.
Where Do MAU Estimates Come From?
Third-party MAU estimates for Bluesky come from several sources:
- App analytics firms like Sensor Tower and data.ai that track app usage
- Web traffic analyzers like SimilarWeb that measure bsky.app visits
- Firehose analysis by researchers counting unique active DIDs
- API sampling analyzing post frequency and unique posters
Different methodologies produce different estimates, which is why we report a range (12-15 million) rather than a single number.
Bluesky MAU vs. Total Users: What's the Gap?
With 40 million registered users but only 12-15 million MAU, about 60-70% of Bluesky accounts are inactive in any given month. Is this bad? Not necessarily.
Industry Context
A 30-35% MAU/registered ratio is typical for social platforms:
- Twitter/X historically had 25-30% MAU/registered
- Reddit has approximately 30% MAU/registered
- LinkedIn has about 25% MAU/registered
The gap exists because:
- Many users sign up to "claim their handle" but don't actively use the platform
- Some accounts are bots or spam (though Bluesky has less than most platforms)
- Users may be on the platform less than monthly
- Some users tried the platform and churned
Daily Active Users (DAU) Analysis
Daily active users provide an even clearer picture of engagement:
| Period | Estimated DAU | Context |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | ~4 million | Steady growth |
| November 2025 | 3.5 million | Post-election stabilization |
| November 2024 (Peak) | 4.1 million | Mass X migration |
| September 2024 | 1.5 million | Pre-surge baseline |
The DAU/MAU ratio of 25-30% is strong, indicating that users who are monthly active tend to check in frequently. For comparison, highly engaging apps like TikTok achieve 50%+ DAU/MAU, while utility apps often see 10-15%.
Geographic Distribution of Active Users
Bluesky's active user base is concentrated in specific markets:
- Brazil: ~38% of traffic (largest single market)
- United States: ~26% of traffic
- Japan: ~9% of traffic
- United Kingdom: ~5% of traffic
- Germany: ~4% of traffic
- Other: ~18% of traffic
Brazil's dominance comes from X's temporary ban in 2024, which drove millions to Bluesky. Many stayed after the ban lifted.
What MAU Means for Creators & Brands
For Creators
12-15 million MAU means a substantial active audience, but with less competition than larger platforms:
- Your content reaches engaged users (not abandoned accounts)
- The chronological timeline means posts get seen
- Custom feeds help niche content find audiences
- Early mover advantage still exists
For Brands
While 15 million MAU is smaller than Threads (275M MAU) or X (300M+ MAU), consider:
- Higher engagement rates than larger, more saturated platforms
- Influential early-adopter demographic (journalists, tech, academics)
- Less competition for attention
- Growing steadily month-over-month
MAU Growth Trajectory
Bluesky's MAU has grown alongside its registered user base:
| Period | Registered | Est. MAU | MAU Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | 10M | ~4M | 40% |
| November 2024 | 23M | ~12M | 52% |
| January 2025 | 30M | ~12M | 40% |
| January 2026 | 40M | ~14M | 35% |
The declining MAU ratio is normal as platforms scale. Early users are highly engaged; later cohorts have higher churn. The key is that absolute MAU continues growing.
How to Reach Bluesky's Active Users
To maximize your reach among Bluesky's 12-15 million monthly active users:
- Post during peak hours: See our best times to post on Bluesky
- Use trending hashtags: Check real-time trending hashtags
- Engage authentically: Reply to others, join conversations
- Create Starter Packs: Help new users find your community
- Cross-promote: Bring your audience from other platforms
Comparing Bluesky MAU to Competitors
| Platform | MAU (Jan 2026) | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Threads | 275-300M | Growing |
| X (Twitter) | 300-350M | Declining |
| Bluesky | 12-15M | Growing |
| Mastodon | 2-3M | Flat |
Bluesky is smaller than the giants but growing faster. For a platform that opened public registration in February 2024, reaching 15 million MAU in under two years is strong performance.
Track Your Bluesky Presence with Skyscraper
Grow your following among Bluesky's active users:
- Skyscraper for iOS - Native Bluesky client built for growth
- Trending Hashtags - See what active users are discussing
- Bluesky Tools - Monitor your brand and keywords
Related Reading
- Bluesky User Growth 2026: Monthly Statistics
- Bluesky January 2026 Growth Update
- Bluesky Total Registered Users 2025-2026
- Best Times to Post on Bluesky
- How to Grow Your Bluesky Following