Will X’s New UI Changes Benefit Users?

X, formerly known as Twitter, is moving towards a more minimalistic and simplified user interface. This new design will eventually lead to the removal of reply, like, and re-share buttons from posts in the main feed. These buttons will be replaced with new action controls, such as swiping and tapping gestures.

The new UI design, as previewed by Elon Musk, will introduce side-swiping post response functionality. Users will be able to swipe right to reply, swipe left to like a post, and tap and hold for all other actions. According to Musk, this change will make the main feed “very clean” and provide a more stripped-down version of the current display.

While the updated format has not yet been released, it is expected to offer a more intuitive way to interact within the app. However, the removal of action buttons may result in a reduction of overall user activity. Past changes, such as removing the option to retweet a post during the U.S. election, led to a significant decrease in tweet sharing. While this change may help combat the spread of false information, it could also impact X’s usage metrics and overall platform sentiment.

It remains uncertain whether X’s new UI changes will be beneficial in the long run. While adding friction to retweets may prevent the amplification of false claims, it could also deter users from engaging with posts. Implementing the swipe-to-respond functionality while keeping the action buttons initially may help users transition to the new design before eliminating in-stream options entirely.

As X continues to evolve its user interface, users will need to adapt to these new changes. While a more basic design may improve the aesthetics of the app, it will take time for users to get accustomed to the new interaction methods. With X’s focus on creating a cleaner and more streamlined user experience, it is clear that more interesting changes are on the horizon.

Overall, the shift towards a minimalistic UI may offer benefits in terms of visual appeal and combating false information. However, the potential reduction in user activity and engagement poses a challenge for X. It remains to be seen how users will respond to these changes and whether they will ultimately benefit from the new UI design.