Social Media Platform X to Hide Likes and Reposts in User Timeline Redesign
Summary:
Social media network X is reportedly considering hiding likes and reposts from user timelines, according to software engineer Ellis Driscoll. The feature, currently under internal testing, is likely to be introduced in the next few weeks and user interactions will be simplified for efficiency. While users will still be able to see the amount of likes and shares per post, these metrics will be moved to individual posts rather than being publicly displayed. Critics speculate that the move could alter the emphasis towards the quality of content, similar to changes made with Instagram and TikTok.
Social media giant X may soon hide the visibility of likes and reposts from users’ timelines, based on information provided by one of the company's software engineers. Although not directly involved in this innovation, the engineer confirmed the feature is currently undergoing testing by the firm's personnel. The roll out to the platform's user base is planned to happen gradually within the next few weeks. Once implemented, the design may still experience changes, says Ellis Driscoll, an X software engineer, as of April 29.
Driscoll's clarification followed a preview video of the upcoming user interface (UI), demonstrating a new 'exploding menu' where likes and reposts are featured in a separate panel, shared initially by Christopher Stanley, X's Head of Payments.
However, Driscoll explained that the 'exploding menu' seen in Stanley’s video represents just the 'more' menu option rather than the entire user experience for X users. The central functionality of the new design will hinge on intuitive gestures, he said. By simplifying processes, liking and responding to posts will be faster and thus more convenient, he added.
In this updated UI, users can still view the count of likes and shares for each post - but now, each post must be individually viewed to access this data, Stanley clarifies. The forthcoming UI update will demand users interact with posts using a 'long press, then swipe to select' gesture which Stanley likens to a video gaming interface.
The decision of Instagram in 2021 to conceal public like counts or 'hearts' was an effort to assuage concerns over the app's impact on mental health due to the potential harm of competitive behaviors, especially amongst younger users. X, however, hasn't provided any decisive justification for removing visibility of likes, other than vague mentions by Stanley implying intent for evolving UI and maximizing on-screen content.
Numerous X accounts have speculated that this alteration could facilitate a shift of emphasis towards content substance, discouraging the prevalence of engagement-focused posts. Critics, on the other hand, are concerned that the feature may promote contents appealing to the company's internal decision-makers, obscuring the rationale behind the popularity of a post, akin to practices observed on Instagram and TikTok.
Published At
4/30/2024 9:01:31 AM
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