X, the social network formerly generally known as Twitter, has resumed displaying the headlines for news stories posted on the social network — a reversal of owner Elon Musk’s bizarre move this fall to cover them.
X users noticed over the weekend that headlines of stories stories were being restored when links were posted to the platform.
Last August, Musk said the choice to remove headlines — which went into effect in October — was “coming from me directly” and that it might “greatly improve the esthetics.”
The mogul has said eliminating headlines would “help curb clickbait” on X. Musk also reportedly sought to chop down on the peak of the posts in order that he could fit more content onto the screen.
However the change was widely panned as users of the platform complained that eliminating headlines made it difficult to gauge what the news stories were about.
Prior to now, Musk has voiced disdain for links posted to X because they drive people off the app. He also has said X’s algorithms deprioritize links.
“It’s something Elon wants,” a source told Fortune in August ahead of the October move “They were running it by advertisers, who didn’t prefer it, nevertheless it’s happening,”
Elon Musk’s social media platform X is outwardly reversing his decision to eliminate news headlines attached to posts of stories stories. REUTERS
Under Musk, who acquired the corporate then generally known as Twitter for $44 billion in late 2022, the platform has instituted sweeping changes to its content moderation policy in addition to its work force.
Musk laid off nearly 80% of the staff that he inherited upon buying the corporate.
He also has lashed out at media entities that he sees as “woke” including The Recent York Times and others.
Fidelity, the financial services firm that was a part of the investment group that helped Musk acquire Twitter and take it private, recently said that X was value 71% lower than the $44 billion figure that the Tesla mogul paid for the corporate.
Musk acquired the corporate formerly generally known as Twitter for $44 billion in late 2022. David Talukdar/Shutterstock
In late November, several firms said they might stop promoting on X after the liberal watchdog Media Matters for America accused the platform of promoting pro-Nazi and antisemitic content.
At a tech and business conference in Recent York, Musk lashed out at Disney and others who left the platform, telling them: “Go f–k yourself.”
The Recent York Times reported in late November that X stood to lose as much as $75 million from the exodus of advertisers.
The Post has sought comment from X.
