X, the social media platform, has made a significant change to its algorithm. The tweak is designed to amplify posts from users' mutual followers, giving their feeds more of a communal feel. According to Nikita Bier, head of product, this change addresses a gap in the algorithm that made users' friends appear less in their replies, resulting in a 'battleground' effect.
The change may not drastically alter the user experience but could make X feel more like a community than a platform where disparate voices shout into the digital abyss. Bier noted that the tweak will also help clusters form around interests more easily, a feature many users have requested.
This algorithm tweak follows recent changes designed to make X a bigger hub for creators. Earlier this year, the site changed how it compensates accounts in an effort to incentivise original content rather than mere aggregation. Additionally, with the introduction of a video editor earlier this month, users can now more easily work on the platform.
X's move comes as Meta's Threads, a rival social media platform, has been making similar changes to its algorithm to create communities. Threads has seen significant growth, reaching 500 million monthly active users, although the exact nature of this algorithm tweak is not specified.
Regulatory bodies, such as the UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), are keeping a close eye on social media platforms and their use of algorithms. The European Union's AI Act is also set to regulate AI-driven decision-making in the EU, which may have implications for UK-based social media companies like X.