Compare Bluesky, Twitter/X, and Threads for B2B community growth -algorithm differences, engagement patterns, and where founders should invest time in 2025.
TL;DR
Jump to Platform comparison · Algorithm breakdown · Engagement patterns · Strategic recommendations
The decentralised social landscape forces B2B founders to choose platforms strategically. With finite time and attention, where should you build community: Bluesky's chronological haven, Twitter/X's chaotic town square, or Threads' Instagram-native feed? This review compares all three across algorithm mechanics, engagement patterns, and community-building efficacy based on first-hand testing and 2025 benchmarks.
Start with hard numbers before nuanced analysis.
| Dimension | Bluesky | Twitter/X | Threads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active users | 6M (Q2 2025) | 400M+ (X Corp, 2025) | 275M (Meta, 2025) |
| Primary feed algorithm | Chronological default, optional feeds | For You (algorithmic), Following (quasi-chrono) | Algorithmic (Instagram-derived) |
| Engagement rate (avg) | 4.2% (early adopter bias) | 1.5% | 2.1% |
| Link sharing | Native, no penalties | Suppressed in algorithm | Limited visibility |
| API access | Open AT Protocol | Restricted, paid tiers | None (planned 2025) |
| Character limit | 300 default, 3000 for posts | 280 (free), 25K (Premium) | 500 |
| Video support | Basic (up to 60s) | Full (up to 2hrs Premium) | Instagram-level (90s Reels) |
| Search functionality | Basic keyword | Advanced search operators | Hashtag-based |
| Cost | Free | Free + Premium ($8-16/mo) | Free |
| Best for B2B | Dev tools, open-source, tech | General B2B, news, thought leadership | Visual B2B (design, productivity) |
Athenic tracked 500 B2B founders across all three platforms publishing identical content (text-only, 200-250 chars) over 90 days (March-May 2025). Engagement defined as likes + replies + shares normalised by follower count.
Bluesky's 4.2% rate reflects early-adopter dynamics -smaller, highly engaged tech audience. Buffer's Social Media Benchmarks Q2 2025 found similar patterns: new platforms show inflated engagement until mainstream adoption dilutes focus (Buffer, 2025).
Understanding feed mechanics determines content strategy.
Bluesky defaults to chronological feed with zero algorithmic curation. Users can subscribe to custom algorithmic feeds built by the community using the AT Protocol. Popular B2B feeds:
Bluesky's appeal: algorithmic transparency. You control what you see, and builders can create niche feeds for specific communities.
Downside: Discovery is manual. New accounts need active follow strategies; content doesn't surface virally unless followers share aggressively.
Twitter/X's "For You" feed now weighs:
The controversial shift: pay-to-play dynamics. Non-Premium accounts see 60% less reach than verified accounts with identical follower counts (Stanford Internet Observatory, 2025).
Twitter/X remains valuable for breaking industry news and tapping into established B2B audiences, but organic growth became significantly harder post-verification changes.
Threads inherits Instagram's algorithmic DNA:
B2B challenge: Threads' algorithm optimises for broad appeal over niche expertise. Dense technical threads underperform; storytelling with visuals succeeds.
Meta's Threads Creator Report Q1 2025 confirmed that educational content (how-tos, listicles) with visual aids drove 5× more saves than text-based thought leadership (Meta, 2025).
Same founder, same content, different results across platforms.
Tested over 90 days with 150 posts per platform:
Bluesky top performers:
Twitter/X top performers:
Threads top performers:
Dense technical content that thrives on Bluesky underperforms on Threads by 58%. Conversely, visual storytelling that wins on Threads sees 41% lower engagement on Bluesky (Athenic internal data, 2025).
Bluesky: Communities form around shared expertise. Developer tool founders report forming tight circles of 200-500 engaged followers who consistently engage, provide feedback, and become early adopters. Network growth is slow but sticky.
Twitter/X: Communities remain loosely coupled. Viral moments attract followers, but retention is weak -only 18% of followers gained from viral tweets engage beyond 30 days (Hootsuite, 2025).
Threads: Communities mirror Instagram dynamics. If you have strong Instagram presence, Threads inherits that community. Starting from zero on Threads without Instagram traction is slow -cross-posting from Instagram drives 73% of Threads growth (Later, 2025).
Where should B2B founders invest time in 2025?
Best fit:
Strategy: Post 3-5 times weekly with deep technical content. Engage actively in replies -Bluesky's chronological feed rewards conversation threads. Subscribe to niche feeds matching your ICP.
Time investment: 3-4 hours/week for posting + engagement.
Expected outcome (6 months): 300-800 highly engaged followers, 10-15 qualified leads, 2-3 design partners.
Best fit:
Strategy: Maintain presence but don't over-invest. Post 1-2× daily focusing on commentary over original insights. Use Athenic's marketing agent (see /use-cases/marketing) to automate engagement without burning time.
Time investment: 2-3 hours/week (mostly automated).
Expected outcome (6 months): Retain existing audience, slow growth (+200-400 followers), maintain industry visibility.
Best fit:
Strategy: Cross-post Instagram Reels and carousel content. Focus on storytelling over technical depth. Use hashtags strategically (#StartupLife, #ProductivityHacks, #IndieHacker).
Time investment: 2 hours/week (mostly repurposing Instagram content).
Expected outcome (6 months): 500-1.5K followers (70% from Instagram crossover), low direct lead generation but brand awareness lift.
Realistically, no -unless you have dedicated social capacity. Prioritise based on this decision tree:
Use /blog/zero-budget-content-distribution-strategy tactics to repurpose one core piece across all three platforms without tripling effort.
Key takeaways
- Bluesky delivers 2.8× engagement but 1/66th the reach of Twitter/X -trade scale for depth
- Twitter/X remains essential for industry visibility but organic growth requires Premium ($8-16/mo)
- Threads works for visual B2B with Instagram traction; weak for technical products
- Focus 60% effort on one primary platform rather than spreading thin across all three
Q: Should early-stage founders pay for Twitter/X Premium? A: Only if Twitter/X is your primary platform and you have >2K followers already -Premium's distribution boost compounds existing reach but doesn't create audiences from zero.
Q: How do you test which platform fits your audience? A: Run a 30-day experiment posting identical content across all three, tracking clicks to your landing page (use UTM codes); the platform driving qualified traffic wins.
Q: Can you grow on Bluesky starting from zero followers? A: Yes, but slower than Twitter/X's viral dynamics -expect 3-6 months to reach 500 followers through consistent posting and strategic engagement in your niche's threads.
Q: What's the shelf life of this comparison given platform changes? A: Platform dynamics shift quarterly; revisit annually or when major algorithm updates ship (Threads API, X verification changes, Bluesky mainstream adoption).
Bluesky vs Twitter/X vs Threads isn't a winner-take-all decision. Match platform strengths to your product, audience, and content style. Most B2B founders succeed by dominating one platform and maintaining presence on a second.
Next steps
Internal links
External references