What makes a user experience spammy? Most of the time we find ourselves being irritated because of a spammy user experience, and it’s not just about X (formerly known as Twitter), it can be with any other platform, but through this article, we will be focusing on the latest feature launched by Elon Musk’s X to make account timeline less spammy on iPhones and web users.
Before understanding the latest update and feature, let’s understand a bit about X timeline ( Formerly known as Twitter)
The “X timeline” refers to the stream of posts and updates that users see on their home feed when they use the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). It displays tweets (or “posts”) from accounts that a user follows, as well as recommended tweets based on the platform’s algorithms. X’s timeline is a central feature of the platform, designed to keep users engaged by delivering a continuous stream of content that aligns with their interests and connections.
There are generally two main types of timelines on X:
- Home Timeline: This is the primary feed where users see tweets from the accounts they follow, along with some tweets that X’s algorithm suggests based on their interests and engagement patterns.
- Latest Tweets Timeline: This is an option that shows tweets in reverse chronological order, meaning the most recent tweets appear first. This timeline is designed for users who prefer to see updates in real time without algorithmic filtering.
After understanding the X timeline, let’s see what’s the issue with it.
The issue of a spammy timeline on X (formerly Twitter) refers to the platform’s feed becoming cluttered with irrelevant, repetitive, or low-quality content, making it challenging for users to find and engage with meaningful posts. This problem can stem from various factors, including spam accounts, bots, or algorithms that prioritize sensational or trending content over high-quality interactions.
And over the period, user experience was worsening, because of the irrelevant and spammy content, and to address this issue, X came up with this resolution.
How does this new feature work in the favour of enhanced user experience?
Elon Musk’s X has introduced a new feature for iPhone users and those accessing the site on the web to enhance their timeline experience. The update includes a new menu allowing users to sort replies on posts into three categories: “Most Relevant,” “Most Recent,” and “Most Liked.”
“Most Relevant” may prioritize replies from users with higher subscription levels, while “Most Recent” and “Most Liked” are straightforward. According to X, “Rolling out now: sort replies on any post by most relevant, recent, or liked.”
This update aims to address issues with spammy or irrelevant replies that previously crowded conversation threads, making it easier for users to see content that matters to them. However, users will need to select their preferred sorting option each time they view a new tweet, as the setting isn’t saved.
Additionally, X is testing payment support, adding a “Payments” button to the navigation bar and exploring features like “transactions, balance, and transfer.”
In conclusion, these updates are necessary to ensure a more enjoyable and productive user experience. A cleaner, more relevant timeline helps users find and engage with high-quality content, reducing frustration and improving overall satisfaction with the platform.