X has adjusted its algorithm to enhance the visibility of posts from users’ “mutuals,” according to head of product Nikita Bier. This change addresses a data omission in the algorithm that previously caused friends’ posts to appear less frequently in replies, leading to a chaotic experience filled with unfamiliar users.
Bier stated, “We noticed this data was missing from the algo and it made your friends appear less in your replies. This resulted in the reply section feeling more like a battleground with people you don’t recognize.” The update aims to foster a community feeling on the platform by facilitating clusters based on common interests, a request that has been made by users.
X has implemented several modifications recently to position itself as a more significant hub for creators. Earlier in the year, the platform revised its compensation system to prioritize original content over mere aggregation. Additionally, a new video editor was launched earlier this month to improve user experience.
This algorithm change follows a series of updates from Meta’s Threads, which has been making similar changes to encourage community building. Threads introduced a “Your Algo” feature last month that allows users to control their feed content privately. The platform claimed to have reached 500 million monthly active users.
