X has adjusted its algorithm to prioritize the visibility of posts from users' mutual connections, announced head of product, Nikita Bier, on Monday.
Algorithm Tweaks for a Friendlier Experience
According to Bier, the previous algorithm configuration lacked data that would favor interactions with 'mutuals'—people a user follows who also follow them back. This omission led to a replies section that felt more like a battleground of unfamiliar voices rather than a community space.
"We noticed this data was missing from the algo and it made your friends appear less in your replies. This resulted in the reply section feeling more like a battleground with people you don’t recognize," Bier stated.
Aiming for Community and Interest Clusters
While the update may not revolutionize the user experience, it aims to make X feel more like a cohesive community. Bier added that the change would facilitate the formation of clusters around shared interests—a feature users have frequently requested.
"This will help clusters form around interests more easily, which many people have asked for," she noted.
Competing with Rivals
This algorithmic tweak is part of a series of changes X has implemented, seemingly to position itself as a hub for creators. Earlier this year, X revised its compensation model to reward original content, moving away from mere aggregation. Additionally, new tools like a video editor were introduced to simplify content creation on the platform.
These changes come as X faces competition from Meta's Threads, which has also been altering its algorithm. Threads recently launched a 'Your Algo' feature, allowing users to privately customize their feed preferences, and has reached 500 million monthly active users.
Bier's comments suggest X is focused on enhancing user interaction and forming interest-based communities to compete with its rivals and foster a more engaging user experience.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/13/x-just-tweaked-its-algorithm-to-make-it-more-friendly-less-battleground/
