Skylight is a TikTok-style app built on the open-source AT Protocol, and it has just topped 380,000 users after a weekend of rapid growth.
At a Glance
- 380,000 users now on the platform.
- 1.4 million video plays in a single day.
- 42 million users on Bluesky, the AT Protocol’s parent.
- TikTok’s U.S. operations now owned by American investors.
- 200 million monthly active users on TikTok.
TikTok’s Ownership Shakeup Creates Opportunity
On January 22, TikTok announced the creation of the TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC to comply with an executive order that required its U.S. operations to be sold to a group of American investors. The new entity will be owned by less than 20 % of the former Chinese parent, ByteDance, and will run the U.S. version of the app.
- TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC formed.
- U.S. operations to be sold to American investors.
- ByteDance ownership capped at 20 %.
- The move was driven by U.S.-China tensions and national-security concerns.
Skylight’s Rapid Growth Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Monthly active users (Jan) | 380,000 |
| New users added over weekend | 20,000 |
| Videos uploaded | 150,000 |
| Video plays (previous day) | 1.4 million |
| Sign-ups increase | 150 % |
| Returning users increase | 50 % |
| Video plays per user increase | 40 % |
| Posts created increase | 100 % |
Features Built on AT Protocol
- Built-in video editor.
- User profiles with likes, comments, and sharing.
- Custom feeds curated by community curators.
- Seamless streaming from Bluesky.
- Full control of data through open standards.
Voices from the Founders
“We’ve seen what happens when one person dictates what’s pushed into people’s feeds,” White told News Of Philadelphia. “Not only does it harm a creator’s connection with their followers, but the entire health of the platform. That’s why we built Skylight Social on open standards. We wanted creator and user power to be guaranteed by the technology. Not an empty promise, but an irrevocable right.”
Harmeyer noted that the app saw 1.4 million video plays the day before Saturday, a three-fold increase over the prior 24 hours.
Market Context and User Concerns
TikTok’s privacy policy update added GPS tracking and language that could track immigration status, sparking user backlash. While the exact number of users who deleted the app remains unknown, the surge in Skylight sign-ups suggests a tangible shift toward alternatives that prioritize user control.
Future Outlook for Skylight
With an open-standards foundation, Skylight positions itself as a platform where creators can shape their own feeds without corporate curation. The company’s early traction-over 200 million users on Bluesky and a growing community-indicates potential to capture a niche of users dissatisfied with TikTok’s ownership and privacy model.
Key Takeaways
- Skylight has quickly gained 380,000 users amid TikTok ownership changes.
- The app’s AT Protocol integration allows for Bluesky streaming and custom community feeds.
- Founder White emphasizes creator autonomy as a core value.
- The platform’s growth signals a market appetite for open-standard social media.
- Continued user acquisition could challenge TikTok’s dominance in the U.S. market.
