After Elon Musk acquired Twitter and transformed it into X, many changes were bound to occur. As a result, several users, including myself, have exited the platform due to its new trajectory. I often find myself contemplating a return, but here’s what it would take to bring me back.
1 Enhanced News Curation
Musk claims that X is the top news platform globally. While I’m not sure if this assertion is accurate, it’s undeniable that some significant stories have emerged on X before mainstream outlets picked them up. However, my biggest concern was the rampant spread of misinformation.
X’s algorithms seem to favor sensationalist content, particularly if it’s shared widely, regardless of its factual accuracy. If these algorithms could be adjusted to prioritize credibility and subjects that genuinely engage users, the overall quality of news would likely improve for many.
2 Enhanced Content Moderation
Labeling X as the “free speech platform” led to fewer restrictions on what users could post. As a result, there has been a noticeable increase in hate speech, not to mention disinformation. Personally, I encountered more harmful content here than on any other mainstream social platform.
I believe that diverse opinions can coexist alongside robust moderation. Clear and consistent policies against harmful content must be established and enforced. Unfortunately, I found the enforcement on X to be lacking.
3 Reviving the Old Verification System
In the past, a blue checkmark indicated that the account belonged to a verified celebrity, journalist, government official, or any notable entity of public interest. Now, anyone can obtain this verification through X Premium (previously Twitter Blue), which offers additional features along with a boost in perceived legitimacy.
This dilution has made it challenging to identify genuine accounts, as fake profiles can now masquerade as real ones while spreading hate and misinformation. A return to the previous verification system is essential for restoring a sense of credibility to the platform.
4 Addressing the Bot Crisis
Bots are rapidly disseminating false information and exploiting the algorithm for harmful purposes on X. Their prevalence has eroded the platform’s integrity for many users. Although Musk announced a cleansing of these accounts, my interest in returning would significantly increase if we could be assured that the bot issue has been adequately addressed.
5 Free Basic Features
Features like editing posts or publishing longer content should not be locked behind a paywall with an X Premium subscription. There have been countless times when I made an error, necessitating a deletion, followed by an edit and repost, or when I exceeded character limits and had to create a thread to express my thoughts fully.
I get that X must generate revenue. Certain features, such as ad-free browsing or customizable app icons, can enhance the value of subscribing. However, basic functionalities should remain accessible to all users.
6 Reduce the Ads
During my time on X, I found the volume of ads to be excessive. This would be more tolerable if the ads were relevant, but I often encountered dubious-looking scams being promoted, which became intolerable.
Ads are so pervasive that even X Premium subscribers still see ads—albeit half as many as those on the standard or Basic plan. To eliminate ads completely, one must opt for X Premium+.
7 Reviving Third-Party Apps
I was a huge fan of using Tweetbot for its sleek interface, extensive customization options, enhanced timeline management, and ad-free experience. When X limited access to its API at the start of 2023, it essentially shut down any third-party services that aimed to improve the user experience on X.
This forced me back to the official X app and website, which came with overwhelming advertisements, minimal customization, and no timeline control. Should they ever reinstate their API for third-party apps, I know many users, myself included, would happily return.
Despite the setbacks from actions like rebranding Twitter to X, many of us were willing to stick around. However, with these cumulative changes on the platform (both before and after), leaving has become a more appealing option. X has the potential to be an excellent platform for engaging with diverse perspectives, but I just hope that the adjustments I mentioned could be made for me to consider coming back.