The Evolution of X: A Look at the Future of Twitter

X, formerly known as Twitter, is making significant changes to its user interface by moving towards a more minimalistic and simplified design. One of the most notable changes is the eventual removal of reply, like, and reshare buttons from posts in the main feed. These buttons will be replaced with new action controls, making the interface cleaner and more streamlined.

The new UI will introduce a side-swiping post response functionality, where users can swipe right to reply, swipe left to like, and tap and hold for all other actions. This new approach aims to simplify the user experience and make interactions within the app more intuitive. The removal of current action buttons is expected to make the main feed look “very clean” according to Elon Musk.

While the new UI design may improve the aesthetics of the app, it is also likely to result in a reduction of overall user activity. Similar changes implemented in the past, such as the removal of the option to retweet a post entirely for U.S. users in 2020, have led to a decrease in tweet sharing. However, these changes have also been effective in combating the spread of false information on the platform.

Challenges and Benefits

The updated format of X, which has no specific release date yet, presents both challenges and potential benefits. The elimination of in-stream action buttons may add some friction to retweets, reducing the amplification of posts. While this could be beneficial in curbing false reports, it may also impact X’s overall usage metrics and platform sentiment. It remains to be seen whether these changes will be successful in the long term.

Implementation Strategy

It is expected that X will implement the swipe-to-respond functionality while retaining the action buttons initially, as a transitional phase to familiarize users with the new feature. Eventually, the in-stream options may be phased out entirely as the app evolves. These changes signify an exciting shift in the way users engage with the platform, promising a more intuitive and interactive experience on X.