This transition, though somewhat inconvenient, was slightly anticipated. In August, Fortune reported on the impending change, and X’s owner, Elon Musk, confirmed that the shift was under his direct purview, aimed at “greatly improving aesthetics.” Although I lack an Android device to ensure, it’s plausible that this change may eventually extend to the Android version of the app.
In recent times, Musk has been actively encouraging users to post more content directly on X to enhance engagement on the platform. He has also stated that X’s algorithm prioritizes maximizing the time users spend on the platform, which means that traditional links may not receive as much attention. According to Musk, the best approach is to share content in long-form directly on the platform.
While this change may align with Musk’s objectives, it’s worth noting that, in the opinion of some, the removal of headlines makes X less user-friendly. Posts are now more challenging to understand quickly, raising questions about whether this change will lead to increased user activity, as Musk envisions.
