Toni Schneider takes permanent role as Bluesky CEO

Bluesky's longtime CEO, Jay Graber, stepped down in March to become chief innovation officer. Toni Schneider, founding CEO of Automattic, succeeded Graber as interim CEO. Schneider is now dropping the 'interim' status to become Bluesky's permanent CEO.

'I'm four months into my interim CEO role at Bluesky, and it's time for an update,' Schneider wrote on his personal blog. 'Most importantly, as of today, the interim part of the title is gone. I'm loving the mission and the job, and I'm all in as Bluesky's official CEO.' Schneider's first priority is to 'create smaller spaces and more private communities,' which he believes will 'unlock the next wave of growth and innovation.' As CEO of Automattic, Schneider led the company behind WordPress and Tumblr.

Both Automattic and True Ventures, a venture capital firm where Schneider is a partner, are investors in Bluesky. Bluesky was originally spun off from Twitter and became a haven for users who wished to avoid changes Elon Musk brought to the platform after taking it over in 2022. Under Graber, the site grew to 43 million users, and its underlying technology, the AT Protocol, was significantly expanded.

However, the site has struggled to retain or grow its user base lately, with some questioning whether it is dying due to declines in engagement and its overall community of users. Why this matters: Schneider's appointment as permanent CEO comes at a critical time for Bluesky, which has faced challenges in retaining users and driving growth. With his experience leading Automattic and his role as a partner at True Ventures, Schneider brings significant expertise to the table.

However, it remains to be seen whether he can revitalize Bluesky's user base and drive innovation. The platform's underlying technology, the AT Protocol, has potential for expansion, but Bluesky must demonstrate it can compete with other social media platforms. For developers and businesses, Schneider's focus on creating smaller spaces and more private communities could signal new opportunities for growth and engagement.

Ultimately, the success of Bluesky under Schneider's leadership will depend on his ability to balance user needs with business goals, while navigating the ever-changing social media landscape.