X Implements Changes to Headline Display

X, formerly known as Twitter, has recently made adjustments to its link cards on the iOS app and web platform. As a result, users will now encounter link cards that only display an image with the domain name at the bottom left, potentially making them easy to overlook.

Elon Musk’s Quest for “Long-Form Content”

This modification is part of CEO Elon Musk’s strategy to encourage users to publish more “long-form content” directly on the X platform. Musk aims to boost engagement and consequently extend users’ time spent on the platform.

The Decline in News Site Traffic

Axios recently reported a significant decline in traffic for news sites, primarily coming from sources like Facebook and X. When a user shared a chart highlighting this decline, Musk responded, emphasizing that X’s algorithm prioritizes optimizing time spent on the platform, which often leads to links receiving less attention.

Musk’s Previous Announcement

This recent change shouldn’t come as a surprise, as Musk previously hinted at it in August. In a tweet, he mentioned that removing headline text from link previews would greatly enhance the overall aesthetics of the platform.

A Shift in Industry Thinking

X is not the only platform reconsidering the role of news and headlines. Artifact, a platform created by Instagram co-founders, aims to transform the app into a discovery platform by encouraging users to share links from various sources. In June, Artifact started utilizing AI technology to rewrite article headlines that users perceive as clickbait.

Impressive User Statistics for X

Musk recently revealed that X users generate between 100 and 200 million posts every day. However, during a conference, Linda Yaccarino, X’s CEO, announced that users now send a staggering 500 million posts per day. An X executive confirmed the accuracy of Yaccarino’s figure.

Challenges in Revenue and Advertiser Retention

Reuters reported a continuous decline in X’s revenue, with a year-on-year decrease of at least 55% since Musk assumed leadership of the company. Retaining advertisers has proven challenging for X. In recent interviews, Yaccarino mentioned the returning interest from advertisers and expressed confidence in the company’s profitability next year.