X Users Revolt Over Elon Musk Stripping Headlines From News Stories: Twitter Now ‘Borderline Useless’
AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File
If you’ve been unable to see headlines on news links while browsing through X, well, that’s because of a new policy being implemented by the social media platform once known as Twitter.
The overhaul, which was rolled out on Wednesday for iOS and desktop users, means that links only generate featured images for articles now, along with a small text stating where the story comes from. This major change in format was previewed in an August report from Fortune, which X owner Elon Musk confirmed by announcing “This is coming from me directly. Will greatly improve the esthetics.” The change was implemented without notice for many users on Thursday.
While Musk might think the change makes posts look better, the idea was panned ahead of time — as it disables a core function of the platform. Now that the policy has been enacted, critics are seeing their worst fears realized:
https://twitter.com/Esqueer_/status/1709778449651384684
I cannot emphasize enough how much I personally dislike Elon Musk for destroying Twitter’s ability to convey information and converse intelligibly by getting rid of the headline markers in links. Also, they’re almost indistinguishable from still photos now.
— Jeff Blehar is *BOX OFFICE POISON* (@EsotericCD) October 5, 2023
From Mediaite’s Aidan McLaughlin:
