The Story: Adobe’s recent attempt to connect with the creative community on the social media platform Bluesky backfired spectacularly. After a warm introductory post aimed at artists, the company faced an avalanche of backlash from users dissatisfied with Adobe’s business practices, ultimately leading to the deletion of the post.

The Details:

• Adobe introduced itself on Bluesky, inviting artists and creators to engage, but was met with criticism regarding its subscription model.

• Users voiced frustrations over rising costs, poor product quality, and concerns about AI usage of their creative work, prompting an immediate wave of negativity.

• Both the Adobe and Photoshop accounts on Bluesky saw their initial posts inundated with complaints, prompting the company to remove them quickly.

• Criticism of Adobe dates back over a decade to when it shifted from perpetual licensing to subscription pricing, alienating long-time customers.

• Despite the backlash, Adobe continues to maintain a dominant position in the creative software industry, holding an estimated 80% market share.

Why It Matters: This incident exemplifies the growing rift between Adobe and its user base, particularly artists and photographers who feel marginalized by the company’s business practices. It underscores the necessity for Adobe to reassess its approach in a landscape increasingly filled with alternatives. As creatives demand greater transparency and value, Adobe’s heaviness in the market may not guarantee loyalty if the company fails to adapt and address the concerns of its frustrated community.