Musk to strip headlines off news links on X

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
23 Aug 2023 15:13

X plans to remove the headline and text while retaining just the lead image from links to news articles shared on the platform.

Tesla and SpaceX Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk speaks at the SATELLITE Conference and Exhibition in Washington, Monday, March 9, 2020. (AP)

In the latest overhaul, X owner Elon Musk decided to rework how new links appear on the platform formerly known as Twitter. The move aims to impact news publishers on the site.

Musk later confirmed the news, which Fortune initially reported the news on Monday, "This is coming from me directly. Will greatly improve the esthetics [sic]." Under this change, the platform will no longer exhibit headlines and text associated with news links, showcasing solely the primary image, thereby curtailing users' ability to preview content before clicking.

Currently, news links manifest on users' timelines as "cards," presenting an image, source URL, and condensed headline, a presentation that stimulates clicks and aids publishers in attracting readers.

This alteration could potentially be a maneuver to encourage individuals to subscribe to X's premium service. Given the shortened link format, users might be inclined to incorporate more text in their posts. This premium service permits a single post containing up to 25,000 characters.

The implications for advertisers on the platform remain uncertain, particularly considering Musk's claim in July that the platform boasted 540 million monthly users.

In reshaping X, Musk is positioning it as a more pertinent platform for content creators. Premium subscribers can now share longer videos, secure higher post placement, and also receive a share of ad revenue.

Since Musk took control of Twitter in October 2022, he has instigated a series of sudden adjustments, many of which have adversely affected the news media segment that constitutes a significant portion of the platform's user base.

The billionaire entrepreneur has suspended journalists from the platform, rescinded verification for numerous media personalities, and made endeavors to establish his journalistic initiatives via a project titled the Twitter Files, wherein reporters were tasked with directly publishing "investigations" on the platform.

Promoting the concept, he recently posted, "If you're a journalist who wants more freedom to write and a higher income, then publish directly on this platform!"

Following the transition of ownership from the erstwhile Twitter, Musk essentially dismantled its public relations division and ceased responding to media inquiries from journalists. Previously, requests for comments were met with a poop emoji. When approached for comment on Tuesday, X replied using an automated response.