Bluesky Business Model Canvas: Complete BMC Analysis
The Bluesky Business Model Canvas reveals how this decentralized social network challenges X/Twitter by giving users ownership of their data and algorithms. Built on the open AT Protocol, Bluesky represents a fundamental shift from the walled-garden approach of the Meta Business Model Canvas. With 20M+ users and growing, Bluesky is building a new paradigm for social media.
Value Propositions: User Control and Openness
Bluesky's Value Propositions include algorithmic choice (users pick their own feed algorithms), data portability (take your followers to another server), chronological timeline by default, and no surveillance advertising. This user-first philosophy contrasts sharply with the ad-optimized approach in the Meta Business Model Canvas and TikTok Business Model Canvas.
Revenue Streams: Subscriptions Over Ads
Bluesky's Revenue Streams are evolving beyond VC funding toward premium subscriptions, custom domains, and developer API access. By rejecting surveillance advertising, Bluesky charts a different path from the Google Business Model Canvas and Snapchat Business Model Canvas ad models, closer to the Subscription Business Model Canvas approach.
Customer Segments in the BMC
Bluesky's Customer Segments include tech-savvy early adopters, journalists, creators seeking algorithm transparency, X/Twitter refugees, and developers building on AT Protocol. This community-first growth resembles early adoption patterns in the Slack Business Model Canvas and Dropbox Business Model Canvas.
Key Resources: AT Protocol and Community
The Key Resources block includes the AT Protocol (open standard), federated infrastructure, developer ecosystem, and growing user community. This open protocol approach mirrors the infrastructure play in the Stripe Business Model Canvas but applied to social identity rather than payments.
Key Partners and Key Activities
Key partners include third-party developers, feed algorithm creators, moderation service providers, and hosting infrastructure. Key activities encompass protocol development, community moderation, developer relations, and trust-building. Compare this ecosystem approach to the Spotify Business Model Canvas platform strategy.
Channels and Customer Relationships
Channels include the Bluesky app, web client, third-party AT Protocol clients, and word-of-mouth. Customer relationships build through community self-governance, custom feeds, and user empowerment—a stark contrast to the top-down moderation in the Meta Business Model Canvas.
Comparing Social Media Business Model Canvases
Study related BMC examples: Meta BMC for centralized social, TikTok BMC for algorithmic content, Snapchat BMC for camera-first social, and Pinterest BMC for visual discovery. Each Business Model Canvas shows a different approach to social media economics.