Twitter users found themselves grappling with severe discontent following an announcement by Elon Musk, the owner of the popular social media platform. The alteration, limiting most users to a mere 600 tweets per day, caused a wave of frustration, prompting an exodus from Twitter to alternative platforms like Bluesky. However, it seems that Bluesky, despite being touted as a promising alternative, is now grappling with its own set of issues. As a result, the invite-only site has temporarily halted new sign-ups due to the overwhelming influx of users seeking refuge from Twitter’s new policies.

At 9:15 pm UTC, the official Bluesky account addressed the situation, stating, “We will temporarily be pausing Bluesky sign-ups while our team continues to resolve the existing performance issues.” The account further assured users, “We’ll keep you updated when invite codes will resume functionality. We’re excited to welcome more users to our beta soon!“

Launched in February by Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter, Bluesky bears an uncanny resemblance to its predecessor in terms of functionality. However, there are a few drawbacks—Bluesky currently operates on an invite-only basis and does not support video uploads. Additionally, the absence of direct messaging, while seen as a positive feature by some individuals frequently subjected to online harassment, may present a limitation to others.

Twitter’s power users, who seek a viable alternative, have struggled to find platforms that meet their requirements. Facebook, primarily a social networking site, does not excel in providing real-time news updates. Instagram predominantly emphasizes visual content rather than textual information. TikTok, on the other hand, thrives on video-based content. As for text-based alternatives, they often cater to extreme partisan ideologies. Notably, Truth Social, founded by former president Donald Trump, falls under this category.

Bluesky appeared to be a promising solution for a majority of users, though it remains uncertain when it will be accessible to the general public. If Bluesky manages to address the challenges associated with accommodating the influx of new users, it stands a strong chance of becoming a formidable competitor to Twitter, particularly considering Musk’s significant influence in reshaping the social media landscape.

While Musk maintains that the tweet-reading limitations are temporary and a response to “extreme levels of data scraping” and “system manipulation,” alternative theories abound. Reports suggest that Twitter ceased payments for Google‘s cloud-based services, leading to a hurried transfer of a significant portion of its data away from the tech giant. June 30 marked the reported expiration date of Twitter’s contract with Google.

In early June, Musk stepped down as Twitter’s CEO, appointing Linda Yaccarino, renowned for her extensive ad sales experience at NBC Universal, as his successor. Nevertheless, doubts linger regarding the extent of control Musk relinquished, given his hands-on reputation. Following Musk’s assumption of the platform, numerous major advertisers suspended their spending on Twitter. Some prominent brands even expressed concerns about being associated with Musk during a major marketing conference in April.

Musk remains steadfast in his assertion that Twitter is on the brink of profitability. However, it remains unclear whether this claim is a consequence of his neglecting to settle the social media company’s outstanding bills. In fact, Twitter has ceased payments to some landlords and recently faced eviction from an office space in Boulder, Colorado. In response, Twitter filed a counter-suit during the past week.

It appears that Twitter users can partially circumvent the tweet limit by utilizing Tweetdeck, a platform that allows expanded visibility of tweets. However, for those who engage with Twitter for longer periods—exceeding half an hour per day—the new restrictions prove highly inhibitory. This predicament creates a prime opportunity for Twitter’s competitors, such as Bluesky, provided they can swiftly address their own challenges and offer a viable alternative.