Elon Musk states that X is altering its algorithm to emphasize lesser-known accounts.

X, formerly known as Twitter, is set to unveil a significant algorithm update, as announced by owner Elon Musk. This update aims to shift the focus of the app's For You feed, bringing to light posts from lesser-known accounts alongside popular and trending content. The goal is to introduce users to new, potentially interesting accounts outside their existing network of friends and follows, potentially boosting the visibility of smaller content creators.

This move aligns with Musk's vision of transforming X into a platform that caters to creators. Recent features geared towards this include support for extended posts with up to 25,000 characters for subscribers, the ability to upload longer videos, and an ad revenue-sharing program that has reportedly paid out nearly $20 million to creators, as stated by X CEO Linda Yaccarino.

Musk revealed that the update, which will be rolled out in the coming days, is part of a broader plan to enable creators to grow their audience on X and earn through a mix of ad revenue sharing and subscriber-based exclusive content. Other features facilitating direct interactions between fans and creators include message requests from subscribers and newly added audio and video calling capabilities, potentially positioning X as a rival to platforms like Cameo.

However, the level of adoption of X by creators remains to be seen. Despite some success stories, many creators continue to leverage larger platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram for broader reach and monetization. The upcoming algorithm change could potentially enhance the discoverability of smaller creators on X, thereby boosting platform usage and overall engagement. This is the hypothesis Musk seems to be testing, though its effectiveness remains uncertain, especially considering X's fluctuating popularity under Musk's tenure and the emergence of new competitors like Bluesky, Post, and Spill.

Musk also emphasized that this algorithm update would be open-sourced for ongoing enhancements, marking a significant step in X's evolution as a social media platform.