Elon Musk recently addressed a long-standing issue on X (formerly Twitter): the platform’s poor performance with posts containing links. Musk acknowledged that posts with external links often struggle to reach wide audiences due to X’s algorithmic priorities and his vision for the platform.
Instead of including links directly in posts, Musk suggested users describe their content in the main tweet and place the link in a follow-up reply. This approach, which he labeled as a way to avoid “lazy linking,” is already being adopted by many users familiar with the platform’s dynamics.
Since Musk’s acquisition of X, the algorithm has shifted to favor visual content like images and videos over traditional link-based posts. This change aligns with a broader effort to discourage users from leaving the platform by interacting with external sites. Consequently, many creators have resorted to alternative strategies such as posting screenshots of articles or creating threads to convey information.
While these adjustments cater to X’s emphasis on user retention, they present challenges for users who rely on link-sharing to distribute content. Critics argue that this strategy not only complicates the user experience but also undermines X’s role as a hub for sharing news and resources.
The debate continues over how these changes will affect X’s ecosystem and its long-term relationship with content creators.