X, the microblogging site owned by Elon Musk, is making a notable reversal of a controversial change that impacted the display of links on the platform. After months of omitting headlines on shared links, X is reportedly bringing them back. This decision comes after receiving numerous complaints from users who found it difficult to understand the content of posts that contained external links. However, the new implementation features headlines and website names in a smaller font at the bottom left of the preview image, deviating from the traditional URL cards commonly found on other social media platforms.
The Return of Headlines and User Feedback
The decision to reintroduce headlines on shared link previews has been observed by several news outlets. However, there has been no official confirmation from X or Musk about the return of this feature. Notably, the feature does not seem to have taken effect in India yet, as headlines still cannot be seen in article links shared by the Gadgets 360 account on X. Currently, only the website name appears on the bottom right side of the image in such posts.
When Elon Musk originally removed headlines from links on X in August, he claimed that the change was for aesthetic improvement. However, this decision led to confusion among users who relied on the headlines to understand the content before clicking on the links. Previously, news links appeared as “cards” on the timeline, featuring an image, URL address, and a brief headline. This format made it easier for users to decipher the content of the linked articles. The removal of headlines resulted in only the lead image showing up in link previews on X, forcing news publications to adjust their posting strategies on the platform.
X’s Evolution Under Elon Musk
Since Elon Musk took over X in late 2022, the platform has undergone several changes and introductions of new features. These developments aim to enhance the user experience and bring added value to the platform’s Premium+ Subscribers. One recent addition is Grok, an AI chatbot developed by Musk’s AI firm xAI. Currently exclusive to Premium+ Subscribers on X’s Web, iOS, and Android platforms, Grok aims to provide advanced AI-assisted interactions for users.
The reintroduction of headlines on X link previews marks a significant change in the platform’s aesthetics and has received mixed reactions from users. While some appreciate the return of headlines for improved clarity and understanding of shared links, others express concerns about the smaller font size and potential truncation of longer headlines. Although the feature has been observed by various news outlets, its availability remains uncertain, with no official confirmation from X or Musk. As X continues to evolve under Elon Musk’s leadership, it will be interesting to see how these changes shape the user experience and the overall direction of the platform.
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