More scientists choose Bluesky over Twitter

David Shiffman, a marine biologist and conservation advocate, was once a prominent supporter of Twitter as a tool for scientific engagement. Over the years, he trained over 2,000 emerging scientists on how to leverage the platform for networking, disseminating research, and engaging with the public. However, after Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter in 2022 and its subsequent rebranding to X, Shiffman became disenchanted with the platform due to significant changes in its algorithm and moderation policies. In search of a suitable alternative, Shiffman explored emerging platforms like Threads, Post, Mastodon, and Bluesky. He quickly became one of the first scientists to adopt Bluesky and discovered that it offered many of the features he had cherished during Twitter's peak. Shiffman observed that he was not alone in his dissatisfaction with Twitter. Reports from reputable sources such as Nature, Science, and the Chronicle of Higher Education revealed a growing trend among scientists to migrate to Bluesky. To further investigate this phenomenon, Shiffman conducted a scientific survey, the results of which were published in the journal Integrative and Comparative Biology. His findings indicate a significant shift: while Twitter was once the favored platform for science communication, its users are now leaving in large numbers, with Bluesky emerging as the new preferred choice among science professionals.