{"id":681,"date":"2025-08-29T10:00:27","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T08:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/?post_type=news&#038;p=681"},"modified":"2025-08-29T10:35:00","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T08:35:00","slug":"bluesky-researcher-migration-figures-and-issues","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/news\/bluesky-migration-des-chercheurs-chiffres-et-enjeux\/","title":{"rendered":"Bluesky: the new scientific social reference platform"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>This migration from X to Bluesky is not just symbolic: it reflects a real redefinition of the spaces where knowledge meets. For decision-makers in scientific communication and B2B publications, understanding the mechanisms and opportunities of this shift is essential. Let's take a look at the figures, the dynamics of engagement, and the strategic implications.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In a nutshell<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Between 2023 and early 2025, 18 % academics - out of a sample of <strong>300,000 profiles tracked by the University of Zurich<\/strong> - have migrated from X to Bluesky. The rate varies greatly depending on the discipline: <strong>31.3 % in arts and humanities<\/strong>, against <strong>13.3 % in medicine<\/strong>. These figures usher in a new era of scientific communication, one that is more targeted, collaborative and potentially more impactful.<br><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Measured and differentiated academic migration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The University of Zurich followed <strong>300,000 academic profiles<\/strong>, with a <strong>migration rate of 18 %<\/strong> to Bluesky between 2023 and early 2025. The rate is much higher in the <strong>arts and humanities (31.3 %)<\/strong>, which is significantly lower in <strong>medicine (13.3 %)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"582\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Migration-de-X-vers-Bluesky-1024x582.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Migration-de-X-vers-Bluesky-1024x582.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Migration-de-X-vers-Bluesky-980x557.jpg 980w, https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Migration-de-X-vers-Bluesky-480x273.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Source: arXiv:2505.24801<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Why the move to Bluesky? A more favourable platform<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Combined with this migration, other indicators reinforce the idea that Bluesky is becoming a more suitable space for scientific exchanges:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Analyses highlight a <strong>spectacular growth in traffic<\/strong> and subscribers on Bluesky, including Ars Technica, a well-known website specialising in news and in-depth analysis on technology, science, technology policy, video games and society (+63 % subscribers in 2025), on some days surpassing X in engagement volume for scientists.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Specific work on the academic presence shows that Bluesky often generates more original content, with <strong>more interaction<\/strong> (likes, reposts, replies, quotes) and less <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/news\/scientific-fraud-lia-makes-fake-articles-almost-undetectable\/\" data-type=\"news\" data-id=\"660\">misleading information<\/a> that X.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Social dynamics: influence and contagion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Zurich study does not stop at the switch rate: it analyses the social mechanisms behind the switch to Bluesky. Key findings:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Two-thirds of transitions<\/strong> are induced by a <strong>simple contagion<\/strong>: an academic follows in the footsteps of a peer already present on Bluesky.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Migration is stimulated by <strong>network looks<\/strong> (simple contagion) rather than personal efforts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A majority of researchers who reconstruct their Twitter relationships on Bluesky remain <strong>more active over time<\/strong>.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Towards new indicators (altmetrics) useful to institutions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Bluesky isn't just a social platform: it's becoming a <strong>a genuine academic showcase<\/strong>. Publications are mentioned in a significant way, and exchanges appear <strong>richer and more committed<\/strong> than on X. This opens up new perspectives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For publishers, <strong>capitalise on these references<\/strong> can enrich <a href=\"https:\/\/www.altmetric.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">altmetrics<\/a> (indicators that quantify the visibility and online attention given to scientific publications and other research work).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For institutions, analysing engagement (quality and interaction) is becoming more relevant than simple counters.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Implications for B2B decision-makers (publishers, institutions, communicators)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Issues<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Strategic line<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Organised migration<\/td><td>Measured but significant academic migration: plan a structured presence on Bluesky.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Commitment and value creation<\/td><td>A more interactive platform, relevant for promoting research.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Alternative indicators<\/td><td>More original Altmetrics, to be integrated into reporting.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Solid network<\/td><td>Recreating Twitter networks on Bluesky encourages dynamic engagement.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Disciplinary adaptation<\/td><td>Universes reached at different speeds: adapt content (e.g. music, arts vs. health).<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion &amp; call-to-action<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The migration of researchers to Bluesky goes far beyond buzz: it is a gradual transformation of the spaces in which knowledge is circulated. For B2B players in scientific communication, this means rethinking editorial strategies, altmetrics monitoring methods and community management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What first step would you consider? A dedicated corporate account? Active monitoring of altmetrics on Bluesky? Or an internal mapping of the researchers already involved?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>References<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>University migration (University of Zurich) - Dorian Quelle et al, <em>Why Academics Are Leaving Twitter for Bluesky<\/em>, arXiv, May 2025 (<a href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/html\/2505.24801v1?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">arXiv<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>X commitments vs Bluesky - <em>How is science discussed on Bluesky?<\/em>, arXiv, July 2025 (<a href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/2507.18840?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">arXiv<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Evolution of altmetrics - <em>Are there stars in Bluesky?<\/em>, arXiv, December 2024 (<a href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/2412.05624?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">arXiv<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Scientific traffic and subscribers - \u201cX's dominance \u2018over\u2019 as Bluesky becomes new hub for research\u201d, <em>Times Higher Education<\/em>, April 2025 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.timeshighereducation.com\/news\/xs-dominance-over-bluesky-becomes-new-hub-research?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Times Higher Education (THE)<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><br><\/p>","protected":false},"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","inline_featured_image":false},"class_list":["post-681","news","type-news","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/681","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=681"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}