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X tweaks replies to show more posts from mutuals
X says it is boosting visibility for posts from mutual followers after finding that relationship data was missing from its algorithm.
Image: Mashable
X is making a targeted change to its recommendation system: posts from mutuals — people you follow and who follow you back — will get more visibility in replies and across the platform.
According to a Monday post from Nikita Bier, X’s head of product, the company found that its algorithm was not factoring in mutuals data properly. Bier said that gap made friends “appear less” in reply threads and, in his words, left replies feeling “more like a battleground with people you don’t recognize.”
“We’re rolling out a small tweak to boost visibility of your posts to your mutuals (people who you follow back).”
Bier added that the update should help “clusters form around interests more easily,” something he said many users had asked for.
The change follows a series of recommendation and feed updates at X this year. In April, the company introduced a Grok-powered custom timelines feature for Premium subscribers, letting users pin feeds built around specific topics. Bier said at the time it could help users “dive deep into your favorite niche on X,” according to Mashable. That feature drew a mixed but generally curious response, with some users pointing to repetitive content and overlapping topic categories.
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The update also lands as X continues to face criticism over platform safety. In May, GLAAD’s Social Media Safety Index gave X 29 out of 100, the lowest score among the six major platforms it evaluated for LGBTQ+ user safety, according to Mashable’s earlier reporting. GLAAD said social platforms overall were “rife with anti-LGBTQ hate, harassment, and disinformation,” with X scoring worst in the group.
It is still unclear whether prioritizing mutual connections will materially change the tone of replies, but the move shows X is still adjusting how relationships shape what users see.
Culture Editor
Maya explores gaming, streaming, and the internet as a place where people actually live. From deep-dives into creator economies to the anthropology of digital communities, she tracks platform drama and cultural shifts so you don't have to. She believes the best tech stories are fundamentally about human behavior.
via Mashable
