The X platform is testing a change to the way it handles links on iOS so that the like, reply, and repost buttons are always visible. Normally, when you click on a link on X, the page opens and completely covers the original post . This results in fewer people liking or interacting with the content .
Many users probably don’t return to X after following an external link. To address this, the company is displaying the original post at the bottom instead of allowing the web browser to take up the entire screen. This move aligns with Elon Musk ’s vision for X as an “ app for everything ” that users never have to leave.
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There's a common complaint among X users: posts with links to X don't perform well. The announcement of this new feature suggests that the interface design contributes to lower interaction , driving users away from X and reducing engagement. The new feature aims to fix this problem.
Elon Musk announces other changes for X (beyond links)
Elon Musk also mentioned, in a post on the platform, that there will be changes to the recommendation system, which could increase the reach of posts with links. He claims that the company is four to six weeks away from “deleting all heuristics,” which means that likes and replies will have less of an impact. Instead, he states that “Grok will literally read every post and watch every video (over 100 million per day) to match users with content they are most likely to find interesting.”
Moving to an “AI understanding” of the actual content of a post (rather than an understanding based on a rules-based algorithm) has been a clear goal for X for some time. These changes could lead to increased reach even for accounts with very few followers.
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This new approach is expected to fundamentally change the way users interact with content on X. By incorporating artificial intelligence, X aims to offer a more personalized user experience, where the content displayed will be more tailored to each user's preferences and interests. This could boost user engagement and increase overall activity on the platform.
This strategy is part of Elon Musk's broader effort to transform X into a comprehensive platform that will cover all user needs, from information and entertainment to communication and social networking. This change is expected to have significant implications for both content creators and advertisers, as it will affect the way content is displayed and interacts with the audience.
Additionally, X’s new approach could lead to new opportunities for content creators, as increased reach could mean greater exposure and recognition. However, the move to an AI-powered system could also bring challenges, as creators will need to adapt to new demands and find ways to leverage the platform’s capabilities.
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Overall, these changes signal a significant shift in X's strategy, aimed at increasing user interaction and engagement, while strengthening the platform's position as a leader in social networking and technology.
