X restores displaying headlines on news stories, reversing bizarre Elon Musk move
Business
X users noticed over the weekend that headlines of news stories were being restored
(Web Desk) - X, the social network formerly 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 hide them.
X users noticed over the weekend that headlines of news stories were being restored when links were posted to the platform.
Last August, Musk said the decision to remove headlines — which went into effect in October — was “coming from me directly” and that it would “greatly improve the esthetics.”
The mogul has said getting rid of headlines would “help curb clickbait” on X. Musk also reportedly sought to cut down on the height of the posts so that he could fit more content onto the screen.
But the change was widely panned as users of the platform complained that getting rid of headlines made it difficult to gauge what the news stories were about.
In the past, 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 like it, but it’s happening,”
Under Musk, who acquired the company then known as Twitter for $44 billion in late 2022, the platform has instituted sweeping changes to its content moderation policy as well as its work force.
Musk laid off nearly 80% of the staff that he inherited upon buying the company.
He also has lashed out at media entities that he sees as “woke” including The New York Times and others.
Fidelity, the financial services firm that was part of the investment group that helped Musk acquire Twitter and take it private, recently said that X was worth 71% less than the $44 billion figure that the Tesla mogul paid for the company.
In late November, several companies said they would cease advertising 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 New York, Musk lashed out at Disney and others who left the platform, telling them: “Go f–k yourself.”
The New 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.
