Twitter, or as it is now called, Elon Musk’s X, recently implemented a change to the way media stories appear in users’ feeds. Some users have reported that they are now unable to see news links and headlines on certain posts, leading to confusion and frustration. Instead of displaying the actual headlines, posts now only show graphics of individual news articles, making it difficult for users to understand the content at a glance.
Earlier this month, Musk confirmed in a Fortune report that his company was considering this change to the display format on X. He pitched it as a way to “greatly improve the aesthetics” of the platform, suggesting that the new graphical representation of news articles would enhance the overall user experience. However, many users have voiced their concerns about the potential negative impact of this change on their ability to quickly consume news and information.
An X spokesperson, when approached by CNBC, stated that they are currently investigating whether the removal of headlines and links represents a broad rollout. This means that the change may be implemented gradually, or it could be limited to a specific group of users as part of a testing phase. Regardless of the scope, the confusion and frustration experienced by those users affected highlight the need for clear communication and transparency from the company regarding such updates.
Linda Yaccarino, the CEO of X who was hired by Musk in June, clarified during a conversation at the Code Conference that Musk primarily oversees the company’s product and feature development. Yaccarino, on the other hand, handles business and operational matters. This division of responsibilities indicates that Musk is deeply involved in shaping the direction of the platform and may be the driving force behind changes like the recent display format alteration.
Yaccarino has been actively working to regain the trust and support of advertisers on the X platform. Musk’s platform faced a significant ad drop-off after the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) recommended in November that brand advertisers pause their campaigns due to a wave of hateful posts. The ADL recently announced that it would resume spending on X after a temporary pause, suggesting that the company has taken steps to address the issue. However, the controversy surrounding the recent display format change may complicate the platform’s efforts to fully regain advertiser confidence.
Twitter’s recent change to the display format of news articles has caused confusion and frustration among users. While Elon Musk presents it as an aesthetic improvement, many users are struggling to understand the content of posts without the presence of headlines and links. The uncertainty surrounding the rollout and the division of responsibilities between Musk and Yaccarino raise questions about the company’s communication and transparency. Additionally, the struggle to win back advertisers remains an ongoing challenge for X, as controversies like the wave of hateful posts and the recent change to the display format contribute to a lack of advertiser confidence. It remains to be seen how the platform will address these concerns and whether it will continue to evolve in a way that satisfies both users and advertisers.
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