X is not a content site!

Twitter changed under Musk and the name was only part of the new weirdness. The content I received when using the “For you” option was definitely not for me. The algorithm has been changed in a way that does not address my interests or online behavior. 

There is another issue. I remain interested in the social media landscape and follow developments. A new revelation has caught my attention. Musk has admitted that the X algorithm demotes posts that contain links. Musk proposes that if you want to promote a link, you should do so in a comment to your own post. I find the justification vague, but it somehow relates to Musk’s position that he wants X to be a content site. This position makes little sense to me. I can see that micro-blogs are conversation sites, but claiming content is shared within a few hundred characters seems hard to justify. What is the point of making this claim?

I joined Twitter in 2006 and after tolerating the initial focus on what people had for breakfast, etc., I found value in the links shared by those I followed. Twitter was a valuable discovery tool and it made sense that those I followed would have common interests and their suggestions would provide access to content I would find interesting. I followed multiple content sources via RSS but found new sources and specific posts of interest by way of recommendations from colleagues on Twitter. The flow of suggestions associated with a conference I could not attend makes a good example. Attendees would offer comments on sessions and presentations and links were often provided to allow access to materials associated with some of the presentations. 

While Musk’s comments did not include reference to the paid levels of X, I cannot help wondering if the focus on content is related to the drastic increase in post length that comes with paid levels. The pay-to-post plan obviously allows some to offer content and the blocking of links limits what those who tolerate the ad-supported level can provide. It is a business and I get the interest in ways to monetize a platform, but I would prefer transparency of motives. If Musk is attempting to position X as an alternative to Mastodon or Medium just make this clear.