X Aims to Revamp Engagement with Hidden Likes

In A Nutshell

Elon Musk’s social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter), is set to undergo significant changes, aiming to alter the way users interact with content. Within the coming weeks, the platform plans to hide likes and reposts from the timeline view, effectively changing the user experience (UX). This update, as revealed by X software engineer, Ellis Driscoll, and further explained by the head of payments, Christopher Stanley, intends to refine interactions, making them more intuitive and focused on content rather than engagement metrics.

Understanding the Upcoming Changes

According to insiders at X, the forthcoming UX overhaul will introduce an “exploding menu” for accessing likes and reposts. This adjustment will require users to select individual posts if they wish to view these engagement metrics. Christopher Stanley highlighted that the new interface will incorporate “simple gestures,” likening the interaction to a “video game interface” where users can long-press and swipe to make selections. This design shift underscores a commitment to enhancing usability and content visibility.

Comparative Insights: X vs. Instagram

This move by X draws parallels with Instagram’s decision in 2021 to hide public like counts to address mental health concerns and reduce competitive pressure among users. However, X’s rationale for this change leans more towards improving the overall user experience and maximizing content engagement without the distraction of visible metrics. The platform aims to refocus user attention towards the quality of content rather than the quantity of likes or reposts.

Community and Critique

The response to X’s proposed changes has been mixed. Some users appreciate the shift towards content substance, hoping it will diminish engagement-farming practices. Others express concerns that hiding likes and reposts could obscure how content trends on the platform, potentially allowing X to control visibility based on internal preferences, akin to criticisms faced by Instagram and TikTok. This development has sparked a debate about the balance between user experience and content visibility.

Our Take

X’s decision to revamp its UX by hiding likes and reposts represents a bold step towards reshaping social media interactions. By focusing on content rather than metrics, X could potentially foster a more meaningful engagement among users. However, the success of this approach will hinge on its implementation and the platform’s ability to maintain transparency in content promotion. As the digital landscape evolves, X’s experiment could set a precedent for other social media giants, challenging the status quo of engagement-driven content visibility.

In the broader context of digital innovation and user experience, these changes underscore the ongoing dialogue between platform designers and users. As platforms seek to refine their interfaces, the feedback and adaptation of their communities will ultimately determine the efficacy and acceptance of such modifications. Keeping a close eye on the rollout and user reception will offer valuable insights into the future of social media UX design.

Sources

– Christopher Stanley, Head of Payments at X.