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X is changing how it handles links to try and keep you in the app — a move designed to make users spend more time engaging on the platform instead of drifting away to external sites. The social media company is testing a new design on iOS that ensures like, reply, and repost buttons remain visible even when a user opens a link from a post.
This tweak reflects X’s ongoing effort to strengthen engagement and align with Elon Musk’s broader vision of transforming the platform into an “everything app” that users never have to leave.
Previously, when users tapped a link on X, the page would open in full-screen mode, effectively covering the original post. This setup often caused users to forget to interact with the post — or worse, leave X entirely after following the link.
To solve this, X is collapsing the post to the bottom of the screen rather than letting the browser dominate. This subtle yet strategic change could drive more likes, reposts, and replies by keeping users anchored to the platform interface.
Posts containing links have long struggled with lower engagement on X. By ensuring the original post remains accessible and visible, the platform aims to change that trend. The idea is simple: if users can still see interaction options while reading linked content, they’re more likely to react or reply.
This change supports Musk’s vision of X as a self-contained ecosystem — where users can browse, shop, chat, and consume content without switching apps.
Elon Musk has also confirmed that X is revamping its recommendation system. The upcoming update will shift from traditional engagement metrics like likes and replies to a more intelligent, AI-driven model.
According to Musk, “Grok,” X’s in-house AI, will soon read and watch every piece of content — over 100 million posts and videos per day — to match users with topics they’re most likely to find interesting. This means posts with links, which previously performed poorly, could now gain greater visibility.
Musk hinted that X is four to six weeks away from what he calls the “deletion of all heuristics.” Essentially, this means moving away from static rules that prioritize certain engagement types and instead letting Grok’s AI understand the content itself.
For creators, this could be a major shift. Smaller accounts might finally see increased reach if their content is genuinely engaging — not just because it garners likes or replies.
The decision to change how links work is another step toward keeping users fully immersed in X. Musk’s long-term vision for X includes payments, video streaming, news, and AI tools — all integrated in one seamless platform.
By reducing friction and discouraging users from leaving, X is effectively reshaping its user experience to increase session time and ad impressions. It’s a strategic move that supports both engagement goals and monetization strategies.
For everyday users, the experience may feel more fluid — you’ll be able to open articles or pages without losing touch with the original post. For creators, especially those sharing external links, this could mean a better chance at visibility and interaction.
With Grok analyzing content contextually, high-quality, relevant posts may surface more often, regardless of follower count.
X is changing how it handles links to try and keep you in the app — and it’s more than just a design tweak. The combination of UI updates and AI-powered recommendations represents a major shift in how X intends to keep users engaged.
If the changes deliver as promised, both casual users and content creators could benefit from a more interactive, intelligent platform that rewards quality over quantity.
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