X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, revolutionized the appearance of news post links in users’ feeds on Wednesday night. In a significant change, headlines and accompanying text that were previously visible alongside images have been removed.
Now, when users encounter linked news articles on X, they will only see the article’s lead image. To distinguish these images from stand-alone ones, a small link to the outlet’s main web address appears in the bottom-left corner.
In August, X owner Elon Muskconfirmed his intention to eliminate headlines and text from news links. According to Musk, this alteration, which he personally initiated, aims to enhance aesthetics.
Musk’s decision to remove headlines and text followed his suggestion for publishers to share their content in long-form on X rather than relying on external links.
In a post on Tuesday, Musk explained, “Our algorithm aims to optimize time spent on X, so links receive less attention since people spend less time when they click away. The best approach is to post content in long-form on this platform.”
The billionaire, who acquired the platform for $44 billion in the previous fall, has been critical of traditional news outlets in recent posts. Instead, he has encouraged users to embrace “citizen journalism.”
Musk emphasized this stance by saying, “I almost never read legacy news anymore.” He questioned the necessity of reading 1000-word articles about subjects that have already been posted on X days in advance.
He further expressed his support for citizen journalism, stating, “Citizen journalism is the path to a better future! I strongly encourage people worldwide to share news about ongoing events, both in text and video formats.”
Musk has had numerous conflicts with news organizations regarding his management of the platform, which has become a crucial tool for journalists and the media.
Last December, he banned several journalists from the platform for reporting on an account that disclosed the whereabouts of his private jet. In April, Musk provoked controversy by briefly categorizing NPR as “state-affiliated” and “government-funded” media.
Watchdog organizations have also voiced concerns about Musk’s decisions to backtrack on content moderation rules and reinstate previously banned accounts, including that of former President Trump. These actions have led to an increase in the spread of misinformation and hate speech on the platform, according to the watchdogs.
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