How X is Changing Link Previews to Promote Long-Form Content

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The Shift in X’s Link Previews

Recently, X, formerly known as Twitter, has made significant changes to its link preview feature on the iOS app and web platform. Users will now notice that link card holders have been removed, and instead, only one image with the domain name is displayed at the bottom left. This change aims to promote long-form content on the platform and encourage users to spend more time engaging with the posts.

Musk’s Efforts to Optimize Time on X

Elon Musk, the driving force behind X’s recent changes, aims to optimize the time users spend on the platform. By minimizing the attention given to external links, Musk believes that users will be more inclined to consume content directly on the platform. This strategy aligns with his vision of making X a hub for long-form content and increasing user engagement.

Benefits and Aesthetics of Hiding Headlines

The decision to hide headlines in X’s link previews is not surprising considering Musk’s previous statements. In August, it was reported that X planned to remove title text from link previews in order to enhance aesthetics. By reducing the prominence of headlines, X aims to create a cleaner visual experience for its users.

Other Platforms’ Approach to News and Headlines

X is not the only platform exploring different approaches to news and headlines. Artifact, a platform created by the co-founders of Instagram, focuses on becoming a discovery platform by encouraging users to share links from various sources. Similarly, Artifact utilizes AI to rewrite headlines that could be considered clickbait, providing users with a more personalized news experience.

The Impact on X’s Revenue and Advertisers

Recent reports suggest that X’s revenue has been declining since Musk took over the company. This decline is attributed to several factors, including challenges in retaining platform advertisers. However, X’s CEO, Linda Yaccarino, is optimistic about the company’s future profitability, stating that advertisers are returning to the platform and projecting profitability by next year.

Conclusion

The changes in X’s link previews reflect Musk’s vision of optimizing user engagement and promoting long-form content on the platform. By removing link card holders and reducing the prominence of headlines, X aims to create a visually appealing and immersive experience for users. While these changes may have affected X’s revenue in the short-term, the company remains focused on attracting advertisers and projecting future profitability.

[Summary: X, formerly Twitter, has implemented changes to its link preview feature to promote long-form content and optimize user engagement. Elon Musk, the driving force behind the changes, aims to minimize attention given to external links in order to encourage users to consume content directly on the platform. The decision to hide headlines in link previews is part of Musk’s strategy to enhance aesthetics and create a cleaner visual experience. Other platforms, such as Artifact, are also exploring new approaches to news and headlines. Despite recent challenges, X’s CEO is confident about the company’s future profitability.]

X, formerly Twitter, has started removing link card holders in the iOS app and on the web. This means you’ll see just one image with the link’s domain name at the bottom left, which is easy to miss.

The move is part of Elon Musk’s efforts to get users to post “long-form content” directly to the platform. Basically, Musk wants people to spend more time on the platform.

Earlier this week, using data from SimilarWeb, Axios reported that traffic to news sites from sources like Facebook and X has dropped dramatically. When a user posted a graph from the report, Musk answered saying that X’s algorithm is designed to optimize time on the platform, so that links don’t get “as much attention.”

The move isn’t really a surprise given to Musk. posted about the change in August. At that moment the saying that removing title text from link previews would “greatly improve aesthetics.”

X is not the only platform that thinks about news and headlines differently. Artifact, a platform created by the co-founders of Instagram, is trying to make the app a discovery platform by encourage users to post links from around the web. In June, he began to need help from AI to rewrite article headlines users consider clickbaits.

In September, Musk said that X users are creating 100 to 200 million posts every day. On Wednesday, the social media company’s CEO, Linda Yaccarino, said at a conference that users send 500 million posts a day. An X executive confirmed to TechCrunch that Yaccarino’s number was exact.

Reuters reported Wednesday that X’s revenue has declined each month by at least 55% year over year after Musk took over the company. The company has faced challenges in retaining platform advertisers. In recent interviews, Yaccarino mentioned that advertisers are returning to the platform and have stated that the company will be profitable next year.