History
Founding and early development
Acquisition and rebranding
In April 2022, Elon Musk offered to acquire Twitter for $44 billion, or $54.20 per share, representing a 38% premium over the stock's closing price on April 1.[16][17] The deal faced early disputes, as Musk questioned Twitter's estimates of spam and bot accounts, alleging misrepresentation in SEC filings and demanding more data verification.[18][19] Musk attempted to withdraw from the agreement in July 2022, prompting Twitter to sue him for breach of contract to enforce the merger.[18] The legal standoff, centered on bot prevalence and data transparency, resolved when Musk completed the acquisition on October 27, 2022, taking Twitter private and dissolving its board of directors.[20][16] Following the buyout, Musk implemented mass layoffs affecting over half of Twitter's workforce to streamline operations.[16]
Key milestones post-acquisition
Following the acquisition, Elon Musk implemented significant staff reductions, including a substantial cut to the content moderation teams, which contributed to a relaxation of previously strict policies on hate speech and misinformation in late 2022 and 2023.[22] This shift allowed for greater emphasis on free speech, resulting in the reinstatement of numerous previously suspended accounts, such as that of former President Donald Trump in November 2022, after a user poll on the platform.[23]
Features and functionality
Core posting and interaction mechanics
As of March 2026, the standard character limit for posts on X is 280 characters for non-subscribers, while X Premium subscribers (across Basic, Premium, and Premium+ tiers) can post longer content up to 25,000 characters. Longer-post functionality applies to original posts, quote posts (the limit applies only to the added commentary; the quoted post itself does not count against the character budget), and replies; everyone can read longer posts.[3] Media attachments (photos/GIFs) do not count toward character limits.[41] These are subject to rate limits of 2,400 posts (including reposts) per day with semi-hourly sub-limits, 500 messages sent per day, 400 accounts followed per day (with no officially published daily unfollow limit, though aggressive or rapid unfollowing risks account restrictions for spam-like behavior; third-party sources and tools commonly recommend 50-100 unfollows per day for safety, though some suggest up to 400 mirroring the follow limit), and 4 email changes per hour; after following 5,000 accounts, further follows are restricted by account-specific follower-to-following ratios, while no official reading or viewing limits are enforced for logged-in users. As of March 2026, public X posts can be viewed without an account, though with limitations including rate limits that often prompt a login after viewing a few posts; direct access works for public profiles and specific post URLs (e.g., x.com/username or x.com/username/status/ID), while third-party tools, Google searches using site:x.com, embedded posts on other sites, and RSS feeds enable broader anonymous viewing of public content, with private or protected posts remaining inaccessible without permission. Search functionality, including the from:username operator via the search bar, URL parameters, or Advanced Search, requires a logged-in account.[42][43] Visiting a public profile at x.com/username still displays recent posts without logging in. These limits apply to all accounts as X Premium does not alter them (though it increases Grok AI usage limits), a format designed for concise expression that evolved from an initial 140-character cap. The following list of a public account is viewable regardless of its follower count, including zero followers, by navigating to the profile and selecting the "Following" tab or the number displayed next to it.[44][45][46][47][48] Threads allow chaining multiple connected posts to extend narratives beyond the single-post limit, while eligible users can publish longer-form content up to 25,000 characters.[49] To create a post, users open the X mobile app and tap the post compose icon (typically a blue circle containing a plus sign or quill). They then type their message, which is limited to 280 characters for non-subscribers or up to 25,000 characters for X Premium subscribers, optionally add up to four media items (photos, GIFs, or videos), and tap Post to share. An alternative method is to use the compose box at the top of the home timeline. X Premium subscribers can also edit original posts and quotes for up to one hour after publishing, with a maximum of five edits, among other features.[50][51] To reply to a post, users locate the post, click or tap the reply icon (speech bubble), enter their message in the compose box that appears, and click or tap Reply. The process is the same on the web, iOS, and Android apps. Replies appear in the conversation thread under the original post. When composing a post, users can choose who may reply by selecting Everyone, Accounts you follow, Only accounts you mention, or Only verified accounts.[52] Users can delete any of their own posts at any time, including those from protected (private) accounts and posts labeled as sensitive; account privacy settings and content labels do not restrict deletion. To delete a post, users open the post on their profile or timeline, tap or click the three-dot menu, select "Delete post," and confirm. The post is then removed from the author's account, followers' timelines, and search results.[53] Historically, prior to changes around 2017-2018, if a post began with an @username (e.g., "@username Great article!"), X (then Twitter) treated it as a reply or direct conversation. Such posts appeared only in the timelines of users who followed both the poster and the mentioned account, to prevent clutter from others' conversations. To make a mention public when starting with @, users commonly prefixed it with a period, as in ".@username", which prevented the platform from classifying it as a reply and ensured visibility to all followers. The period was preferred for being unobtrusive and space-efficient. This ".@" convention became a widespread hack among users wanting broader reach for shoutouts or public responses. Following platform updates in late 2017, new posts (not initiated as replies) starting with a handle became visible to all followers by default, rendering the period prefix unnecessary in most cases. However, the practice persists among some users due to habit or to maximize visibility in certain contexts. For current mechanics, see X's mentions and replies help page. Core interactions include liking posts to show approval—which features a dynamic Grok AI logo reveal animation replacing the standard heart when liking posts mentioning "Grok," introduced on February 8, 2026. Users can like their own posts, increasing the total like count, contributing to engagement metrics, and making the post visible in their Likes tab; this has been possible since at least 2015 and remains unrestricted as of 2026.[54]—reposting to share content directly or via quotes that add commentary, replying to initiate conversations, and bookmarking for private saving. In 2026 the For You ranking code (open-sourced that year) applies duplicate detection, including RetweetDeduplicationFilter, PreviouslySeenPostsFilter, and author-diversity decay, so that a post or a retweet of it is shown at most once per viewer and extra posts from the same author are discounted. Self-reposts or retweets of one's own tweets or replies are treated as the original post rather than new content, receive no independent engagement weight, and therefore typically produce only limited additional impressions (primarily to followers who missed the original) with diminishing returns.[55][56][57] In early March 2026 (around March 8–9), multiple users on Reddit reported that new posts, comments, and quotes on the X mobile app failed to send (errors such as “failed to send post”) and were saved to drafts, while likes and retweets continued to work; no reports described the post button itself as unresponsive. The problem was associated by some users with attestation checks that also affected the official app and was not a platform-wide outage according to monitoring sites. By March 21, 2026, r/Twitter discussions reflected other app issues (crashes, login problems) but no ongoing widespread posting failures of this kind.[58][59] Reposters can view the public like count on the original post but cannot access the list of individual likers, which is visible only to the original post's author. To view replies on a post, users tap or click the post or its timestamp to expand it, then scroll down to the replies section. For hidden or filtered replies, tap the hidden reply icon (dashed speech bubble), "Show more replies," or "Show probable spam" at the bottom. Replies are typically sorted by relevance, which deboosts low-quality replies consisting only of emojis, repeated emojis, or spammy emoji patterns, including empty emoji-only quote posts, to prioritize meaningful engagement; users can select "Latest" for chronological order if the option is available. Users frequently report that reply counts do not update immediately after deleting a reply, resulting in mismatches between the displayed count and the number of visible replies; this persistent issue may relate to platform processing, caching, or conversation ranking algorithms, though official documentation does not address update timing or delays.[60][61][62] Bookmarks are private collections of saved posts, accessible on the mobile app by tapping the profile picture in the top left navigation menu and selecting "Bookmarks," or on web/desktop by clicking "Bookmarks" from the profile icon menu or left sidebar. With X Premium, users can organize Bookmarks into folders, and searching within Bookmarks is supported on web and iOS.[63] Clearing all bookmarks does not require an X Premium subscription; users can tap the more icon at the top of the Bookmarks timeline to remove all bookmarks at once, available on both mobile and desktop.[63] X does not have a built-in feature to view a general history of all viewed posts or tweets. On iOS the History tab (rolled out May 2026, replacing Bookmarks) consolidates bookmarks, likes, automatically logged watched videos (primarily long-form), and read articles; it is private to the account holder and remains in gradual rollout, with Android and web still showing Bookmarks for most users. Official X help pages do not document any comprehensive viewed-posts log. Alternatives are likes, bookmarks, or downloading the X data archive (Settings and privacy > Your account > Download an archive of your data), which includes posts, likes, ads seen, and other activity but not a general viewed-posts history.[64][39] Users can add, edit, or remove their birth date by signing in to x.com or the X app, going to their profile, selecting Edit profile, and accessing the Birth date section to choose or change the day, month, and year (which must be the actual birth date of the person operating the account). The information is used to verify age eligibility for X services. Visibility can be set separately for the year and for the month and day (public, followers, people followed, mutual follows, or only the account holder), though these settings may be changed only a limited number of times; the birth date can also be removed entirely.[65][66] As of 2026, X lacks a built-in feature to view recently visited profiles; it tracks search history (visible in the search bar), video watch history, posts, and interactions but not profile visits, with no dedicated section or tool for viewing profiles recently visited; unofficial third-party tools claiming to track this may violate X's terms of service; the data archive includes post history, direct messages, blocks/mutes, and interests but excludes profile visit history. These mechanics support specialized communities, such as FinTwit for financial discussions, where users leverage hashtags (e.g., #stocks), ticker symbols, threads, and replies for real-time stock market analysis and news sharing from influencers and accounts.[67] Although hashtags have no dedicated rate limits, platform policies against spam and manipulation prohibit posting with excessive, unrelated hashtags or using them to subvert conversations, artificially drive traffic, or boost visibility, often resulting in algorithmic demotion, throttled reach, temporary restrictions, or suspensions.[68] They facilitate rapid engagement, with notifications primarily alerting users to interactions such as mentions, likes, reposts, and new followers (via email by default); there is no feature to enable notifications for posts from all followed accounts at once, requiring individual enabling by visiting an account's profile, tapping the bell icon, and selecting options like "All posts" or "Posts with live video," while posts from followed accounts do not trigger notifications unless involving direct interaction with the user.[69] X does not notify authors when the text of a post is copied (copying occurs locally on the device) or when a post is screenshotted, and sharing a post link via direct message does not notify the original poster.[70][71] The X mobile app allows users to add multiple accounts, with push notifications designed to arrive simultaneously from all added accounts; failure to display notifications for some accounts typically results from disabled app or device permissions, per-account notification settings, app cache issues or bugs, or OS restrictions on iOS or Android. Troubleshooting includes updating the app, enabling notifications in app settings per account, verifying device permissions, clearing cache or reinstalling, restarting the app using standard OS methods—for iPhone (iOS, iPhone X and later), swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle to open the App Switcher, find the X app preview and swipe up on it to close, then reopen X from the Home Screen; for Android, go to Settings > Apps > See all apps > X > Force stop (confirm if prompted) or open recent apps (swipe up or tap square button), find X, and swipe it away, then reopen X from the app drawer or home screen—and contacting support if issues persist. These restart methods remain standard as of 2026 with no major changes reported. The "unmention yourself" feature allows users to remove themselves from a conversation thread, preventing future notifications from replies in that thread while preserving existing mentions and replies. It is accessed via the information icon in the conversation and selecting the unmention option. X does not display last online, last seen, or last active status on user profiles or in general use. Announced in April 2025 and launched around November 2025, X rebranded direct messages as Chat (or XChat), a secure messaging system commonly referred to as Chat, though official help pages may still use "Direct Messages"; X's Chat does not feature a Discord-like server-based system with persistent text/voice channels, roles, and communities, but offers group direct messages for private group chats, end-to-end encryption, disappearing messages, file sharing, and video/voice calling, plus live audio Spaces for public group conversations (up to 13 speakers); in late 2025, X launched a standalone web-based chat interface (X Chat) for accessing DMs separately from the main feed, remaining focused on private/group messaging without Discord-like community tools.[72] Access remains via the envelope/messages icon, and users can configure settings to receive messages from anyone by enabling "Allow message requests from everyone" on iOS or "Receive messages from anyone" on Android/web in Settings and privacy > Privacy and safety > Direct Messages; when enabled, messages from non-followers appear as requests until accepted, and unencrypted message requests from non-followers remain permitted with no X Premium requirement for recipients, while this setting remains available as of late 2025 with no reported removals or major changes.[73] Read receipts indicate if a specific message has been viewed (with a timestamp) and typing indicators appear when someone is composing a message, though no overall user presence indicator is visible; read receipts are indicated by a checkmark (✓) beneath sent messages, with the word "Seen" appearing next to or below the checkmark when the recipient views the message and read receipts are enabled; if "Seen" does not appear, the message has not been read, or read receipts are disabled in the recipient's settings; while some users report filled versus unfilled checkmarks denoting read status, official guidance emphasizes the "Seen" label as the key indicator; from Chat, audio and video calls can be initiated, with push notifications for incoming or missed calls, but without a built-in feature to view call history or logs of past calls.[74] Chat supports end-to-end encryption for enrolled users, covering messages, links, media, files, and reactions; X does not specify a storage limit for photos and media in Chat, with conversations and attached media stored indefinitely on X's servers unless manually deleted by users and no documented cap on the number or total size of media items per account or conversation. Deleting individual messages or entire conversations in Chat removes them only from the deleting user's account, leaving them visible to other participants; to delete a single message, users long-press the message and select "Delete message," while to delete an entire conversation, they long-press the conversation or tap the info icon and select "Delete conversation"—these actions are permanent for the deleting user but do not affect recipients' views. In encrypted Chat conversations where both parties have end-to-end encryption enabled, the "unsend" feature allows removal of a sent message from the recipient's inbox as well, though limited to eligible encrypted chats.[73][75] However, eligibility to initiate encrypted messages requires the recipient to follow or subscribe to the sender, have previously sent a message to the sender, or have previously accepted an encrypted message from the sender. To enable it, users access the Messages tab in the latest X app on iOS, Android, or web, create a public-private key pair, and set a 4-digit PIN to secure the private key stored on X servers. Both sender and recipient must enroll; otherwise, messages send unencrypted, indicated by an unlock icon. Keys can be retrieved on any device using the PIN, though the PIN is not automatically synced across devices and must be manually entered on new devices to recover the private key. On iOS, if users choose the device-managed passcode option, the PIN is stored in iCloud Keychain, enabling recovery across iOS devices after logout on the same device. However, encrypted messages do not encrypt metadata, such as sender and recipient information or timestamps. Encrypted messages cannot be directly reported to X; users must report the account instead. Forgetting the PIN requires resetting it from a connected device; if no logged-in device is available, encrypted message history cannot be recovered, risking loss of the history. Ephemeral messages, which auto-delete after a set period, are available via conversation settings. As part of the Chat system's enhanced privacy controls, users can enable screenshot notifications, which alert the sender if the recipient takes a screenshot of the conversation, and block screenshots, which obscures or prevents clear capture of messages during screenshot attempts (similar to screen blackout features in other apps). These options are available in Chat settings, either per conversation or globally, and apply to end-to-end encrypted chats, though effectiveness may depend on device and OS, with possible bypasses via external methods.[75] Blocking a user prevents successful calls from them, as it fully restricts interactions and engagement attempts from the blocked account.[74] However, X provides a "Remove this follower" feature to remove specific accounts from one's followers list without blocking them; it is currently available only on the web version (x.com), not on the mobile apps. Users access it by opening their profile, selecting Followers, locating the account, clicking the more (three-dots) icon next to the name, choosing "Remove this follower," and confirming; alternatively, they visit the follower's profile page, click the more icon, and select the same option. Removal does not notify the other user and does not prevent them from following again if the account is public.[47] X does not notify users when someone unfollows them and does not provide a built-in feature to track unfollowers.[47] X's recommendation algorithm aims to maximize time spent on the platform. Published 2026 scoring parameters give predicted "share via copy link" actions a weight of 20.0 (versus 0.5 for likes). Sharing links to X posts on external platforms such as Telegram, WhatsApp or Discord therefore drives inbound traffic that can increase views and subsequent on-platform engagement, with no evidence of algorithmic penalties. By contrast, posts that themselves contain outbound external links typically receive lower distribution because they reduce dwell time.[76][77][78] As of 2026, the X mobile app opens links from posts in its in-app browser by default. In October 2025, X began testing an updated in-app browser that keeps the original post collapsed at the bottom of the screen with engagement buttons visible, allowing users to like, reply, or repost while viewing the linked page, as part of efforts to retain users on the platform and improve engagement signals for posts containing links.[79][80] A “Use in-app browser” toggle under Settings and privacy > Accessibility, display and languages > Display and Sound (or Display) has been available on Android and sometimes iOS to open links in the device’s default external browser; its presence has varied by platform, app version, and over time, with some iOS users reporting it missing and using the in-app viewer’s three-dot menu to select “Open in browser” on a per-link basis.[81][82][83] The X mobile app includes a built-in QR code feature that displays a user's own profile QR code (which can be shared, saved as a photo, or posted) and lets users quickly find and follow accounts by scanning profile QR codes, or open external HTTP/HTTPS links. To access it, tap the profile icon in the top menu then tap the QR code icon in the bottom right-hand corner (alternatively, tap the navigation menu icon or profile icon and select QR Code). To scan, from that screen tap the QR scanner icon and point the camera at the code; an X profile QR code displays the account with a follow option. Users can also upload a saved QR code image from the device photo library. Changing an account username invalidates previous QR codes. QR codes are additionally displayed during authentication-app two-factor authentication setup so that a TOTP authenticator can scan them; they are not used for passkey enrollment or security-key two-factor authentication.[84][85][86] Notification rules for replies do not include special provisions exclusively for threaded replies. Users receive a notification for a direct reply to one of their posts, regardless of whether the reply occurs within a thread, and for any mention of their username (including mentions inside threads). Notifications are not sent automatically for sub-replies (replies to another user's reply) unless the sub-reply is directed at the user's own post or includes a mention of them. Users can leave a conversation using the "Leave this conversation" option to stop further notifications from that thread, and advanced mute options allow filtering of notifications by specific words, conversations, or accounts.[60][52] View counts on X are a feature displaying the total number of times a post has been viewed, shown next to posts in timelines and details. According to X's official help documentation, a view is counted for any logged-in user who has the post appear on their screen, including in Home timeline, For You feed, search results, profiles, or other locations, regardless of following the author or engaging (liking, replying, etc.). The post author's own views count as well. Views are registered when the post renders visibly, such as when scrolling through the feed causes it to load and appear, even briefly or without interaction. Multiple views from the same user (e.g., across devices) can be counted separately. View counts are aggregate only; post authors see total impressions/views but not which specific users viewed it, unless through visible engagements. This mechanism supports X's analytics for reach, algorithm ranking of content, personalization, and advertising. Embedded posts do not contribute to view counts. Data on views and content interactions is collected as usage and log information per X's privacy policy for service provision, security, relevance, and ads.[87] Searching for a creator or user on X does not algorithmically promote or boost their content in the For You feed, recommendations, or other surfaces beyond the search results themselves. X's search system ranks users and posts based on relevance, popularity, and engagement scores, but performing searches does not increase an account's overall content visibility or impressions elsewhere. Content distribution relies primarily on engagement signals such as likes, replies, reposts, and profile visits.[88][89] The platform offers two primary timeline views: "For You," which, leveraging Grok AI's capabilities including automatic translation, algorithmically recommends content—including translated posts from other languages—from followed accounts, topics, and broader networks based on predicted relevance, and "Following," which, as of February 2026, defaults to an algorithmic sort using Grok AI, ranking posts from explicitly followed users by predicted relevance and engagement rather than strict chronological order; in the iOS app (versions 11.65+, including on iPhone X), there is no direct "Switch to Latest" or "Most recent" option, and to view posts in reverse chronological order from people followed, users create a List: go to Lists > New > add accounts you follow > pin the list to the home screen, as Lists display posts in reverse chronological order. There is no official built-in feature to completely hide or filter out all replies from the For You or Following home timelines as of 2026; replies from accounts users follow can appear in these feeds, particularly in the Following chronological view as part of their activity, while the For You feed may surface popular replies algorithmically. To reduce visibility of unwanted replies, users can switch to the Following tab, mute specific accounts or words/phrases (including @mentions common in replies) via Settings > Privacy and safety > Mute and block > Muted words, which filters them from the timeline. Hiding replies is available only for replies to one's own posts, via the three dots menu on the reply to select "Hide reply," removing it from public view including timelines; however, X does not provide a direct feature to hide individual public posts without deleting them or protecting the account to limit visibility to approved followers only.[60][90][91] Users can mark posts as "not interested" to signal the algorithm to show less similar content in the timeline; however, there is no built-in way to view or access a list of such marked posts, and undoing the action is only possible immediately after marking in some cases, with no reversal through the user interface otherwise. The downloadable X data archive includes inferred interests and other data but does not contain details on "not interested" actions or specific posts marked, and no updates or new features for viewing these have been announced as of 2026.[89][92] Users have reported issues with timelines failing to load older posts while scrolling, particularly in 2025 and 2026, including the app stopping after a short distance, auto-refreshing, or failing during outages such as the global incident on February 16, 2026. These stem from app bugs, server outages, or inherent platform limitations. Additionally, timelines and profiles display only approximately the 3,200 most recent posts; older content requires search or data archive download.[93][94] As of 2026, X does not offer a complete opt-out from promoted posts for standard accounts. Users can block specific advertisers by selecting Block from the three-dot menu on a promoted post, preventing that account's promoted content from appearing subsequently. Individual promoted posts can be dismissed by choosing "I don't like this ad" or "Not interested in this ad" from the same menu, which hides the ad and sends feedback. Muting keywords such as "ad", "sponsored", "#ad", or advertiser names via advanced mute options can hide some matching posts from the timeline, though it does not catch all advertisements. Disabling Personalized ads in Settings and privacy > Privacy and safety > Ads preferences stops interest-based targeting from activity and partners but does not remove ads, which may still appear based on other signals. These controls operate per advertiser, keyword, or setting rather than globally, allowing new or unmatched promoted posts to continue appearing.[95][96] Free users and Basic-tier subscribers see the full ad load. X Premium subscribers see approximately 50% fewer ads in the For You and Following timelines. Premium+ subscribers have an ad-free experience across most areas of the platform, including the For You and Following timelines, post replies, and profiles, though occasional sponsored content may still appear. Ads are targeted using user activity and other signals, and the platform has introduced new ad formats along with Grok AI-powered targeting.[3] The platform offers two primary timeline views: "For You," which algorithmically recommends content from followed accounts, topics, and broader networks based on predicted relevance, and "Following," which, as of February 2026, defaults to an algorithmic sort using Grok AI, ranking posts from explicitly followed users by predicted relevance and engagement rather than strict chronological order; in the iOS app (versions 11.65+, including on iPhone X), there is no direct "Switch to Latest" or "Most recent" option, and to view posts in reverse chronological order from people followed, users create a List: go to Lists > New > add accounts you follow > pin the list to the home screen, as Lists display posts in reverse chronological order. There is no official built-in feature to completely hide or filter out all replies from the For You or Following home timelines as of 2026; replies from accounts users follow can appear in these feeds, particularly in the Following chronological view as part of their activity, while the For You feed may surface popular replies algorithmically. To reduce visibility of unwanted replies, users can switch to the Following tab, mute specific accounts or words/phrases (including @mentions common in replies) via Settings > Privacy and safety > Mute and block > Muted words, which filters them from the timeline. Hiding replies is available only for replies to one's own posts, via the three dots menu on the reply to select "Hide reply," removing it from public view including timelines; however, X does not provide a direct feature to hide individual public posts without deleting them or protecting the account to limit visibility to approved followers only.[60][90][91] Users can mark posts as "not interested" to signal the algorithm to show less similar content in the timeline; however, there is no built-in way to view or access a list of such marked posts, and undoing the action is only possible immediately after marking in some cases, with no reversal through the user interface otherwise. The downloadable X data archive includes inferred interests and other data but does not contain details on "not interested" actions or specific posts marked, and no updates or new features for viewing these have been announced as of 2026.[89][92] Users have reported issues with timelines failing to load older posts while scrolling, particularly in 2025 and 2026, including the app stopping after a short distance, auto-refreshing, or failing during outages such as the global incident on February 16, 2026. These stem from app bugs, server outages, or inherent platform limitations. In early 2026 users also reported the home feed auto-scrolling upward, jumping to the top on auto-refresh, or losing timeline position; the behavior was a platform- or app-level problem rather than account-specific and therefore commonly affected multiple accounts similarly. Reported workarounds included disabling auto-refresh or background app refresh in settings, updating the app, and using browser extensions that preserve scroll position.[97][98] Additionally, timelines and profiles display only approximately the 3,200 most recent posts; older content requires search or data archive download.[93][94] In November 2025, X introduced the "About this account" feature, accessible by clicking on a user's join date on their profile page. This feature displays transparency information including the country or region where the account is "based in" (inferred from aggregated IP addresses over time), the country associated with the user's app store or initial join location, join date, username change history, and other details aimed at verifying account authenticity and combating misinformation or foreign influence operations. The initial rollout showed exact countries, but following user backlash regarding privacy risks—particularly in regions with speech restrictions or for vulnerable users—X added an option in account settings (under Settings and Privacy > Privacy and Safety > Your X activity > About your account) to switch from displaying the precise country to a broader region or continent (e.g., "Europe" instead of "United Kingdom"). This adjustment was described as helpful for users in countries where revealing exact location could have penalties. The feature has been noted for occasional inaccuracies, such as misattributing locations due to historical IP data, travel, or VPN usage (with some VPNs flagged via a shield icon). While intended to enhance platform integrity, it sparked debates on privacy versus transparency. Notably, despite location data being visible on profiles, X does not provide native user controls to block, mute, or filter incoming posts, replies, or users based on country or geographic location. Users seeking to restrict non-US content must rely on manual blocking of individual accounts, muting specific words/phrases, protecting posts (making the account private), or third-party browser extensions (which are unofficial and carry risks). In early 2026, X began testing and gradually rolling out region-based filters (also known as country or timeline filters) for the "For You" timeline, primarily available to Premium+ subscribers. These filters allow users to prioritize content from specific countries or regions (e.g., US-only or local content), exclude posts from certain areas to reduce spam, bots, "foreign slop," or irrelevant international engagement farming, or view all posts without geographic restrictions. Options reportedly include toggles such as "All posts," "By country," or combinations with topic-based filtering. A companion feature, known as Region Conversation Control (also referred to as Region Reply Controls or region-based reply restrictions), enables users to limit who can reply to individual posts based on broad geographic regions or continents. In March 2026, X rolled out a new feature known as Region Conversation Control (also referred to as "Regions" in the reply settings). This allows posters to limit replies to their individual posts to users from specific geographic regions, countries, or continents. The feature is set per post and aims to reduce spam, unwanted global replies, and noise, while enabling more focused local or regional discussions (e.g., for events or community-specific topics). Mentioned accounts can reply regardless of location. To use the feature (when available in the app or web):- Start composing a new post.
- Tap the audience icon or "Who can reply?" (often shown as "Everyone").
- Select the "Regions" option (may have a location pin icon).
- Check the boxes for allowed regions (e.g., North America, Europe, specific countries).
- Apply the selection and post.
Two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) on X adds an extra layer of security to accounts. It is managed through Settings and privacy > Security and account access > Security > Two-factor authentication, where users can enable or disable methods such as authentication app, security key, or text message (SMS). Authentication-app 2FA is enrolled by scanning a QR code shown in the X app or on the web with a compatible TOTP authenticator. Security keys are enrolled and used by inserting a hardware key into a USB port or connecting it via NFC or Bluetooth and touching the key; no QR code is involved. SMS-based 2FA has been limited to X Premium subscribers since March 20, 2023, with non-Premium users previously using legacy SMS required to switch methods or face disablement.[86] While official X help documentation describes phone verification as X sending a verification code via SMS to the user's number, some users have reported an alternative process in which they are required to send a text message to a provided +44 (United Kingdom) number to confirm the phone can send outgoing SMS, thereby preventing the use of virtual or receive-only numbers.[103][104][105] If 2FA status shows as enabled (or "already has this" when adding a method) but no management options are visible, potential causes include deprecated SMS setups on non-Premium accounts, temporary UI glitches, outdated app versions, or device-specific issues. Users can troubleshoot by accessing settings via desktop web, updating the X app, switching devices, or submitting a support request at help.x.com/forms/account-access/regain-access/2fa-problem.[106][86] When logging in with the authentication app method enabled, X prompts users to "use a code generator app" to provide a time-based one-time password (TOTP). This refers to third-party authenticator apps that generate 6-digit codes refreshing every 30 seconds; X does not offer its own dedicated code generator app but supports any standard TOTP-compatible app. Common recommended free authenticator apps include:- Google Authenticator
- Authy
- Microsoft Authenticator
- Bitwarden or 1Password (with integrated authenticator)
- Select "Choose a different verification method" on the login screen, which may offer alternatives such as SMS (limited to X Premium), backup codes (if previously saved), or security key.
- If completely locked out, use X's account recovery forms or contact support via https://help.x.com/en/forms/account-access/regain-access/2fa-problem.
Passkeys
X supports passkeys as a passwordless login option under Additional password protection in Security settings. Passkeys use public-key cryptography from the WebAuthn standard: the device generates a unique key pair per account, the public key is stored by X, and the private key remains on the device, enabling phishing-resistant sign-in via biometrics or device PIN without entering a password. Passkeys are available on iOS (syncing across devices via iCloud Keychain) and Android. Setup occurs directly in the X app with no QR-code scanning; no QR code is involved in enrollment, iCloud Keychain synchronization, or login. They are managed separately from two-factor authentication (authentication apps, security keys, or SMS limited to Premium subscribers) and are optional; they do not replace 2FA.[107] To set up a passkey, use the X app on iOS or Android:- Log in to the X app with the account you want to enable passkey for.
- Go to Your account > Settings and privacy > Security and account access > Security.
- Under Additional password protection, select Passkey.
- Enter your password when prompted.
- Select Add a passkey and follow the on-screen prompts to complete setup. Passkeys cannot yet be used for new account sign-ups. To delete a passkey, follow similar steps and select Delete a passkey.[107]
Backup codes
Backup codes provide an alternative way to access an account if the primary 2FA method (e.g., authenticator app or phone) is inaccessible. As of March 2026, X continues to support backup codes, with no changes to their functionality in 2026; the main prior related update was the limitation of SMS-based 2FA to X Premium subscribers in March 2023.[108] Backup codes are automatically generated when enabling 2FA via the iOS or Android app, or can be manually generated (up to five active codes at a time). They are single-use and must be used in the order of generation; using a code out of order invalidates previously generated codes. Users should store them securely, as they are not retrievable later if not saved initially.[108] To generate or view a new backup code while logged in:- Go to Settings and privacy (on iOS, tap profile icon; on Android, tap navigation menu or profile icon).
- Tap Account, then Security.
- Tap Backup code.
- Follow prompts to generate and save the code.
Password reset
Users who forget their password can initiate a reset from the sign-in page by selecting “Forgot password?” and entering an email address, phone number or username. When password-reset protection is enabled in account settings, or when an email is associated with more than one account, the system may then prompt for the username as an extra verification step. After the correct username is supplied, a time-limited reset code is sent to the associated email. The process can alternatively be started with a phone number or username.[109][110] The appropriate category on the X support form for the login error message instructing users to use the official X app is "Problems with account access", which is for getting help logging into X.[111] X does not publish an official response time for submissions to the hacked or compromised account support form. The help center provides steps for recovery but no timelines. User reports from early 2026 indicate variable response and recovery times, ranging from 2 days to over a week or longer, depending on the case.[112][113][114][115]Phone number
As of March 2026, a new X account can be created without a phone number by using an email address instead. Sign-up requires a name, either a phone number or an email address, and a date of birth; a phone number is not mandatory.[116] An accurate, up-to-date phone number associated with an X account enables security features such as login verification, account recovery, and optional contact discovery. Each account may have only one phone number at a time; a given number may be associated with up to ten accounts.[117][103] On the mobile app, users go to Settings and privacy > Account > Phone number, then select Update number and follow the prompts to enter the new number and complete SMS verification. The current number can be removed by selecting Delete number and confirming.[118] On the web, users go to More > Settings and privacy > Your account > Account information > Phone, enter the password if prompted, update the number, and verify with the SMS code sent to the new number. Access to the new number is required for verification.[118]Single sign-on
X supports single sign-on (SSO) via Google accounts on x.com (as well as the iOS and Android apps), enabling sign-in to existing accounts or creation of new ones without a separate X password. For an existing X account, the Google account email must match the one associated with the X account.[119] To sign in with Google:- Go to x.com (logged out of any other X account).
- Click Sign in (under “Already have an account?”).
- Choose Sign in with Google.
- Select the matching Google account.
- Confirm the sign-in prompt. This associates the accounts for Google SSO. Selecting a non-matching Google email creates a new X account instead. New accounts can be created by selecting Continue with Google on the signup page and following the prompts.[116]
Dark mode
X provides dark mode support in its mobile apps for Android and iOS, enabling a darker interface theme to reduce eye strain and improve battery life on OLED displays. As of 2026, dark mode can be enabled manually or set to follow the device's system settings.[120] On Android:- Tap the profile icon.
- Tap Settings and privacy > Accessibility, display and languages > Display.
- Toggle Dark mode on and select Dim or Lights Out.
Quick access is available via the light bulb icon in the profile menu.[121]
- Tap the profile menu.
- Tap Settings and privacy > Accessibility, display, and languages > Display and sound.
- Toggle Dark mode on and select Dim or Lights Out.
Quick access is available via the light bulb icon in the profile menu.[122]
Media and multimedia support
X supports uploading up to 4 photos or 1 GIF per post; photos and GIFs up to 5 MB (GIFs up to 15 MB on web); accepted formats: GIF, JPEG, PNG. These media attachments do not count toward character limits.[41] This enables users to share visual content alongside text. As of 2026, X does not specify recommended pixel dimensions or resolution for images in posts. Official guidelines recommend aspect ratios between 2:1 (landscape) and 3:4 (portrait) for single-image posts to display in full without cropping.[41] Uploaded images are hosted on X's media servers with filenames in a specific format, such as "G_6vbz6XsAAwoP2.jpg", accessible via direct links like https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G_6vbz6XsAAwoP2.jpg; this applies to media attached to posts on the platform. Users have reported recurring issues with images and videos failing to load, displaying a grey placeholder icon of a camera with a slash through it. This problem, documented since 2014 and persisting at least through October 2024, often stems from network issues, app cache problems, data saver mode, or temporary outages.[123] In the X mobile app (iOS and Android), users can edit attached images before posting using the built-in photo editor, which allows cropping, enhancing, filtering, and adding stickers. To crop an image, after selecting it, tap the image preview to open the editor, select the crop tool (typically a square icon with arrows), adjust by dragging handles, and confirm the edit; the interface may vary slightly by app version.[124][41] As of 2026, X does not support directly attaching a hyperlink to an uploaded image in a standard post to make the image itself clickable to an external URL. Links are instead added in the post text and shortened with t.co, while uploaded images and media are displayed separately without native hyperlink functionality on the media.[41][125] Profile header images, also known as banner images, have a recommended size of 1500 pixels wide by 500 pixels tall (3:1 aspect ratio). Supported formats include JPG, PNG, and non-animated GIF, with a maximum file size of 5 MB. Uploading at the recommended size avoids automatic cropping. These specifications have remained unchanged for years, with no announced changes for 2025 or 2026. Profile pictures, also known as avatars, have a recommended size of 400 × 400 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio) and a maximum file size of 2 MB. Supported formats are JPG, PNG, and GIF; X does not support animated GIFs for profile images. Avatars are displayed as circles, so a square source image with the subject centered is recommended to avoid cropping of corners.[126][65] As of 2026, users can create and post videos on X without an X Premium subscription. Free users can upload videos up to 140 seconds long with a maximum file size of 512 MB. Longer videos (up to 4 hours) and larger file sizes require an X Premium subscription, with Premium users able to upload videos up to 4 hours long (1080p, up to 16 GB) on x.com and iOS or up to 10 minutes on Android.[127][128] In the X mobile app, users upload an existing video by tapping the compose button (blue plus or feather icon), selecting the media/gallery icon (photo or image icon), choosing the video from the device's gallery or camera roll, optionally trimming it by dragging the edges of the timeline bar or adding text and other elements, and tapping "Post". Users can also record a new video directly by tapping and holding the capture/camera icon in the compose screen, where they can trim by dragging the edges of the timeline bar. As of March 2026, this built-in trimming tool provides basic video editing capabilities, allowing users to shorten videos to fit posting limits or preferences when recording directly in the app or uploading from the gallery. No advanced video editing features, such as multi-clip cutting, effects, transitions, text overlays, or audio editing, are available natively in the X app. Recent updates in early 2026 focused on video playback improvements, including an immersive vertical player, rather than enhancements to editing tools.[127] There is no built-in feature to automatically add a "From [name]" attribution label directly under an uploaded video. Credits can be placed in the post text (which appears above the video), for example "From @username" or "Credit: [name]". Tagging people, which displays names below media, is available only for photos and is not supported for videos.[41] A label can be made to appear on the video itself by adding a text overlay or watermark to the file with external software before upload. Premium subscribers can download eligible videos for offline viewing via the iOS and Android mobile apps, by selecting "Download video" from the three-dot menu on posts or long-pressing videos in Chat; eligibility requires videos uploaded on or after July 25, 2023, without author opt-out, and the feature is unavailable on the web version.[127] X does not provide a built-in watermark feature that is automatically applied to uploaded videos to prevent theft or unauthorized reposting. Creators can disable the "Allow video to be downloaded" option while composing a post (via Edit then Settings on the video clip), which blocks the native download function for Premium subscribers; the choice cannot be changed after posting, though screen recording remains possible.[127] Creators commonly add their own visible watermarks, such as a username or logo, to videos using external editing tools before upload in order to deter reposters and aid identification of original content. X supports auto-generated captions for videos using speech-to-text from Microsoft Azure Cognitive Services, including Turkish (tr-TR). These captions provide transcriptions in the spoken language without native auto-translation to foreign languages like Turkish. Auto-generated captions are not available for all videos and may have inaccuracies. Users can upload custom .srt files for better control; the feature is available on the web version only. Standard .srt files use timestamps in the format HH:MM:SS,mmm --> HH:MM:SS,mmm (comma as the millisecond separator and the --> arrow). Common mistakes include using a period instead of a comma for milliseconds, an incorrect arrow symbol, overlapping, out-of-order or negative timestamps, missing blank lines between entries, and timestamps that do not align with the video audio; these can cause upload failure, incorrect display, or rejected files. Files should be prepared in plain text editors and the format verified before upload.[129][130][131][132] Users can configure video autoplay via Settings and privacy > Accessibility, display, and languages > Data usage > Video autoplay, with options including Never (videos do not autoplay and require tapping to play), On Wi-Fi only (autoplay only when connected to Wi-Fi), and On cellular and Wi-Fi (always autoplay, default setting). This applies to app and web versions with minor wording variations (e.g., "mobile data" instead of "cellular").[127] Users have reported that autoplaying videos and other media in the X mobile app can pause or interrupt background audio from apps such as Spotify on Android and iOS, including when the device is connected via Bluetooth or CarPlay, because the app takes audio focus. Common workarounds include setting video autoplay to Never or revoking the X app’s microphone permission.[133][134][135] In the X app, video thumbnails in the timeline are static preview images (or autoplaying clips) and cannot be independently enlarged or pinch-zoomed like still images. Tapping a video post initiates playback, often expanding to full-screen or immersive mode where playback controls are available. Users report choppy, stuttering, low-FPS video playback when viewing high-resolution videos on X, often leading to buffering or high data consumption. Troubleshooting steps include checking internet speed, updating the app, clearing cache, restarting the device, lowering video quality, or enabling Data Saver mode.[136]Immersive video player
The immersive video player on X (formerly Twitter) is a full-screen, vertical, swipeable video viewing mode introduced in 2022, allowing users to tap a video to expand it into an immersive full-screen experience and swipe up or down to scroll through a continuous feed of recommended videos, similar to TikTok or Instagram Reels. This feature enhances video consumption on the platform by providing a more engaging, mobile-optimized interface for short-form and vertical content. The x.com desktop website does not support a dedicated TikTok-like vertical scrolling video feed or keyboard navigation for such a feed. Official help documentation lists general keyboard shortcuts as an accessibility feature (including J for the next post, K for the previous post, and Space to page down) but provides no details or support for video feed navigation or scrolling on desktop.[50] When a user opens a video in this mode, X registers detailed viewing metrics for the logged-in account, including watch time, dwell time, completion rate, and other interactions, which feed into the platform's recommendation algorithm to personalize future content. However, video creators only receive aggregated analytics such as total view counts, retention rates, and completion percentages via their dashboard or Media Studio; no individual viewer identities or lists are provided to creators or other users, preserving viewer privacy. The feature has evolved with updates through 2025-2026, including global rollouts and adjustments to cropping and playback.[87][137][138][139] By default, X hides or blurs media flagged as sensitive (e.g., nudity, violence); users can enable display via Privacy and safety settings under "Content you see." Accounts without a verified birthdate or belonging to users under 18 face restrictions. Temporary issues or bugs may also affect visibility. For AI-generated images, X includes a "Made with AI" labeling option for posters to mark such content, but as of March 1, 2026, lacks a viewer-side setting to hide or filter them.[140][141] The platform supports sharing external videos, such as from YouTube, by pasting the video URL into a post, which automatically generates a playable preview or card.[142] In 2021, X introduced Spaces, a feature for live audio conversations that allows hosts to engage listeners in real-time discussions.[143] In March 2026, X added a Listen feature to long-form Articles, powered by Grok AI Voice Mode, converting published articles into audio via text-to-speech. A Listen button appears on articles in users' feeds, allowing podcast-style consumption with background playback while scrolling the timeline or switching apps; it launched on iOS for top English-language articles, with expansion to more platforms planned.[32][144] The platform briefly offered Fleets in 2021, an ephemeral stories format similar to other social networks' disappearing content, but discontinued it on August 3 due to low usage.[145] Support for NFT profile pictures was added in 2022, permitting verified owners to display hexagonal-framed NFTs as avatars, but this support was removed in January 2024.[146] Users can enhance posts with integrated external media, including interactive polls offering up to four options and GIFs sourced from partners. Posts support text, images, videos, GIFs, polls, and link previews (e.g., video players from supported sites), but not interactive HTML5 or other playable game embeds, including in pinned posts. In 2015, Twitter briefly allowed embeds of playable MS-DOS games from the Internet Archive via URL previews, but this feature was disabled, and no current official support exists for playable game embeds.[147][148][149]Advanced tools and integrations
X offers developers access to its API through tiered plans, including Free, Basic, Pro, and Enterprise levels, with adjustments to rate limits implemented in 2023 to manage usage and introduce premium options for higher quotas on reads, writes, and posts.[150] These tiers support integration of X's data and functionality into third-party applications, enabling advanced automation and analytics while enforcing per-app and per-user limits to prevent abuse.[151] Users can search their own posts containing links, such as to articles, using the search operator "from:username filter:links" in the X search bar, replacing "username" with their handle (without the @), which displays only their posts with external links. Alternatively, via Advanced Search, users access https://x.com/search-advanced, enter their username in "From these accounts," and select the "Links" filter to show posts with links. There is no specific filter for article links versus other types, but the links filter captures external URLs commonly used for articles; for targeted results, add keywords such as "article" (e.g., "from:username filter:links article").[42] X Lists enable users to create public or private collections of accounts organized by topic or interest. Accounts can be added to lists without publicly following them, allowing users to view posts from listed accounts in a dedicated timeline. Private lists keep the main following list separate and undisclosed. As of 2025, X provides no official feature to directly hide the following list, which remains publicly visible even for accounts with protected posts.[152][153] A workaround is to unfollow accounts publicly but add them to a private list for private viewing of their content, without notifying the added users. To create a private list: navigate to "More" > "Lists", click the new list icon in the upper right, enter a list name and optional description, select "Private", click "Next", search for and add users, then access the list to view updates instead of following publicly.[152] As of 2026, the X mobile app does not support adding accounts directly to lists from the Following tab or page, which only allows viewing followed accounts and unfollowing them. To add an account to a list on mobile, go to the account's profile, tap the more icon (three dots), select "Add to List," and choose the list(s) from the pop-up.[152] On January 15, 2026, X revised its developer API policies to ban applications that reward users for posting, termed 'InfoFi' projects, as announced by Head of Product Nikita Bier to combat excessive AI-generated content and reply spam; the platform revoked API access for affected apps, including KaitoAI, Cookie, Wallchain, Xeet, and Noise. This policy change occurred one day after Noise raised $7.1 million in a seed funding round led by Paradigm.[154][155] On January 11, 2026, Nikita Bier, Head of Product at X, announced the Smart Cashtags feature, allowing users to specify exact assets or smart contracts when posting tickers. Users can tap these cashtags in the timeline to view real-time prices, charts, and related posts. The feature supports both stocks and cryptocurrencies, with public release planned for the following month.[156] X's Community Notes system facilitates crowdsourced fact-checking, where eligible users collaboratively propose and rate contextual additions to posts, surfacing notes deemed helpful by diverse contributor agreement to enhance information accuracy across the platform.[157] Under Elon Musk's vision for X as an "everything app," the platform has advanced payments capabilities through X Corp, incorporating early features for creator tipping and subscription monetization, with broader money transmission services in development to enable peer-to-peer transfers and financial integrations.[158] X advertising features performance metrics including average click-through rates (CTR) typically 0.3% to 1% across industries based on 2024 data, with e-commerce campaigns often achieving 0.5%–1.2% when optimized and small-budget campaigns ($10–$100/day) tending to see lower CTR closer to 0.3%–0.8% due to limited reach, slower learning phase, and less data for algorithm optimization; variations depend on campaign type, targeting, and creative elements. Specific 2026 CTR benchmarks for X e-commerce ads with small budgets are not available from reliable sources. Best practices for e-commerce advertising on X with small budgets include using engaging video or carousel ads to showcase products, as videos often drive higher CTR; targeting narrow, high-intent audiences via interests, keywords, or lookalikes from past purchasers; incorporating clear, urgent calls-to-action such as "Shop Now" or "Limited Stock"; testing 3–5 creative variations and quickly pausing low performers; selecting "Website Clicks" or "Conversions" objectives; starting with $20–$50 daily budgets and automatic bidding; creating native-style content that blends with the organic feed; and leveraging trending topics or hashtags for improved visibility on low spend. Consistent testing and optimization can improve CTR even on small budgets. As of February 2026, X offers business features centered on advertising, professional tools, and premium subscriptions. Professional Accounts for businesses, brands, creators, and publishers provide a Professional Home dashboard with analytics, performance tracking, and resources; profile spotlights (e.g., location, shop for in-app purchases, mobile app promotion, link buttons); X Shopping for direct sales; X Ads; and Quick Promote. Converting an existing X account to a Professional Account is completely free, with no costs for the account conversion or basic professional features and tools.[159] Advertising formats include Vertical Video Ads, a full-screen, high-engagement format with sound on by default, as well as website card carousel ads supporting vertical portrait orientation at a 9:16 aspect ratio (recommended resolution 1080 × 1920 pixels), with all carousel slides required to use the same aspect ratio.[160][149] X Premium Business subscriptions are available in Basic ($200/month) and Full Access ($1,000/month) tiers, including gold checkmarks, square avatars, affiliations (Full tier), VIP/priority support, Premium+ features, hiring tools, Radar trend monitoring, impersonation defense, and advertising credits (up to $1,000/month for Full). Some features, such as certain spotlights, are limited to the US or qualifying accounts.[161] The X app's display language for UI elements follows the device's system language settings on mobile devices, without an independent app setting. To change the display language to French on iOS, users go to device Settings > General > Language & Region, select French as iPhone Language or add via Other languages; alternatively, for per-app settings, go to Settings > X app > Preferred Language > Language > French. On Android, go to Settings > System > Languages & input > Languages, add French and drag to the top, then restart the X app. On the web at x.com, change directly via More > Settings and privacy > Accessibility, display, and languages > Languages > Display language > Select French > Save. Content language preferences for posts, trends, and recommendations are adjusted separately in the app or web under the same menu path by selecting languages for Recommendations.[162] X does not support Afrikaans as an interface or display language. Official documentation lists 34 languages for website widgets (English, Arabic, French, Spanish, Japanese and others) as of 2026, excluding Afrikaans, and no later addition is documented.[163] There is no direct setting to filter the main timeline (For You or Following feeds) by country or location. Users can customize trends location via Explore > Trends > Change to view trends from specific places, or change the account country in Settings > Your account > Account information > Country, which may influence some recommended content but does not filter posts by origin.[164] As a workaround, advanced muting via Settings > Privacy and safety > Mute and block > Muted words can mute words, hashtags, or usernames associated with specific languages or locations and thereby indirectly reduce unwanted content.[91] X has tested a country filter for the For You feed, but it is not documented in official help as a standard feature.[165]Direct messaging
X (formerly Twitter) offers Direct Messages (DMs), also known as private messaging or Chat, allowing users to communicate privately.Deletion and visibility
When a user deletes a Direct Message or conversation (sent or received), it is deleted from their account only. Recipients in the conversation can still view the messages. There is no bulk-delete tool for all DMs, and complete removal from X's servers requires all participants to delete the content.Account deactivation and deletion
Deactivating an account initiates a 30-day grace period for reactivation. After this, the account and most data are permanently deleted. However, DMs may persist longer in recipients' inboxes or for legal, compliance, or backup reasons.Retention policy
X does not publicly disclose a precise fixed retention period for Direct Messages. Retention varies depending on need, with general personally identifiable data often kept up to 18 months, extendable for legal obligations. DM contents are treated as usage information and non-public communications.Encrypted Direct Messages (X Chat)
Introduced features include end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for conversations (opt-in, not default). Users can "unsend" encrypted messages, remove them from inboxes, or set disappearing messages that delete from devices and servers after a duration. Metadata remains unencrypted. Deleting encrypted conversations removes them from devices, but recipients may retain access unless they also delete. Non-encrypted DMs are accessible to X. Historical reports (e.g., 2019) indicated deleted DMs could remain accessible in data archives for years, though X has addressed some issues. For latest details, refer to X's Privacy Policy and Direct Message FAQs.Communities and Topics
X Communities are dedicated, user-managed spaces organized around specific interests, each with a single shared timeline of posts from members. Community posts appear in the community's feed and can surface more widely, but X does not provide nested sub-topics or independent discussion threads within a Community comparable to Telegram's forum Topics feature, which divides a supergroup into multiple separate conversation threads with independent message histories, pinned messages, and per-topic notifications.[166][167] Independently, X maintains a platform-wide Topics system that lets users follow predefined subject categories to receive personalized post recommendations in the For You timeline, without forming dedicated group discussion spaces.[168]Region Conversation Control
Region Conversation Control is a feature introduced in March 2026 that allows users to restrict replies to their individual posts to users from specific geographic regions. When composing a post, users access the reply settings (typically via the globe/people icon below the text box labeled "Everyone can reply"). They can then select eligible reply regions using checkboxes. The available regions include: North America, South America, Europe, East Asia, Australasia, Africa, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, and West Asia. The selection interface includes a message: "Keep in mind that anyone mentioned can always reply," indicating that @mentioned accounts are exempt from regional restrictions and can reply regardless of their associated region. This feature enhances granular audience control for conversations on posts. Users can also adjust reply settings post-publication via the three-dot menu on the post and selecting "Change who can reply." It is a per-post setting and applies only to replies; it does not restrict who can view the post, nor does it filter or block content from regions in the user's For You or Following feeds (though X has tested separate timeline filters by country in the past). The rollout began gradually around March 17, 2026, with users reporting availability in waves, often requiring app refreshes or updates. The feature uses account data, device settings, and IP addresses for location detection, though VPNs may affect accuracy.Dislike button for replies
In March 2026, X began limited testing of a private dislike button for replies, resuming around March 17 with a limited rollout on March 18.[169][170] The thumbs-down icon appears next to replies, between the like (heart) and bookmark buttons. Tapping it opens a "Reply feedback" prompt: "Tell us what is wrong with this reply. Your feedback is private." Users select from options: Not interested in this post, incorrect or misleading, AI-generated, spam, or report post. Unlike public downvote systems, no visible dislike counts appear; the private feedback signals the algorithm to demote low-quality, spammy, off-topic, misleading, or AI-generated replies, improving reply ordering and reducing noise. The feature applies only to replies, not main posts. The rollout followed a user suggestion, with X Head of Product Nikita Bier responding "Give me 60 seconds" around March 18, 2026, and sharing a demonstration. Elon Musk announced that, to prevent spam bot attacks, the dislike button would be restricted to X subscribers and verified accounts.[171][172] The phased rollout remains limited and is not yet available to all users, with no confirmed timeline for full availability or extension to main posts. X's product team noted the previous reply algorithm lacked sufficient user signals, necessitating this feedback tool for better ranking. This builds on prior downvote explorations: Twitter tested dislike feedback in 2017, explored downvotes in 2020, and ran a global downvote arrow test in February 2022 (discontinued). In July 2024, code in the iOS app indicated a downvote feature for replies to improve ranking and reduce low-quality content, using private negative signals rather than a public Reddit-style system; X engineer Jay Baxter noted that simply aggregating such signals could produce a "hivemind like Reddit," proposing instead to downrank only when negative ratings came from users who typically disagree (similar to Community Notes), with Elon Musk commenting "True."[173] In May 2025 some users reported seeing thumbs-up and thumbs-down icons during experiments.[174] Commentators noted potential benefits for reply ranking and content curation alongside risks of abuse or added negativity. Similar concepts were tested in 2021–2022, culminating in the 2026 private dislike rollout for replies. As of late March 2026, the feature remains in limited rollout with variable availability across users and regions, supporting X's efforts to enhance reply quality alongside updates like Region Conversation Control.Profile timelines and visibility
X limits the number of posts displayed on user profiles for performance reasons. The Posts tab on a profile shows up to 800 of the user's most recent posts. The Posts & replies tab displays up to 3,200 of the most recent posts and replies. Replies (posts created via the reply button or beginning with an @username) do not appear in the main Posts tab and are shown only in the Posts & replies or Replies tab; they can still appear in search results for their content, hashtags, or keywords.[49][175] Posts older than approximately one week may not appear in timelines or search results due to indexing capacity restrictions, though they are not deleted and remain stored. If a user deletes many posts in succession or uses mass-deletion tools, the displayed post count on the profile may not match the actual number, leading to truncated timelines. These limitations help manage server load but can cause confusion for users expecting to see all historical content directly on the platform. To view older posts, users can use Advanced Search by entering the username in the "From these accounts" field and setting date ranges. For a complete post history, users can download an archive of their X data through Settings and privacy > Your account > Download an archive of your data (after verification), which includes all posts from the first one.[175][42][64]Typography and design
X employs Chirp, a proprietary sans-serif typeface, as the primary font for user posts, timelines, replies, navigation, and other interface text across its web and mobile platforms. Introduced in January 2021 during Twitter's redesign efforts, Chirp was custom-developed in collaboration with Swiss type foundry Grilli Type to improve on-screen readability at small sizes, featuring a modern grotesque style with strong x-height, clear character distinction, and a blend of American Gothic and European Grotesque influences. Chirp succeeded earlier fonts such as Helvetica Neue (web), Segoe UI (Windows), Roboto (Android), and San Francisco (iOS), standardizing the visual identity after previous reliance on system defaults. As of 2026, it continues to define X's textual presentation, emphasizing clarity and brand consistency amid the platform's evolution into an "everything app." In January 2025 X began testing a redesigned web interface in which the left sidebar navigation displayed only icons, without text labels. Designer Brandon Jacoby described the updates as "much needed + long overdue" visual changes and invited user feedback.[176][177]X Money
In March 2026, X launched early beta access to X Money, a digital wallet and payments platform integrated into the X app. Key features include peer-to-peer payments, direct deposit for paychecks, earning interest on cash balances (reported at 6% APY), 3% cashback on purchases, and zero foreign transaction fees. Deposits are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 via partner Cross River Bank. X Money offers an all-black metal Visa debit card (physical and virtual), personalized with the user's X handle. The card supports Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, and enables spending anywhere Visa is accepted, including in-app, online, and in stores. Early beta users have shared videos and photos of transactions using the card. This payments layer advances Elon Musk's vision of transforming X into an "everything app," similar to WeChat, with seamless financial transactions.Ownership and operations
Corporate structure and leadership
Following the $44 billion acquisition by Elon Musk in October 2022, Twitter, Inc. was taken private through a merger into X Corp., with its shares delisted from the New York Stock Exchange effective November 8, 2022, marking a shift from public to private company status.[178] As part of this transition, Musk dissolved the existing board of directors shortly after the deal closed, positioning himself as the sole director and assuming direct control over the company's strategic direction.[179] In May 2023, amid the platform's rebranding to X, advertising executive Linda Yaccarino was appointed CEO to oversee operations, while Musk retained roles as executive chairman and chief technology officer, emphasizing his focus on product innovation and vision.[180] This leadership structure reflected a streamlined hierarchy under Musk's oversight, with Yaccarino handling day-to-day management and advertiser relations. X Corp underwent further reorganization in March 2025 when it was acquired by Musk's xAI in an all-stock transaction valued at $33 billion for X, integrating the social platform as a wholly owned subsidiary of the AI venture to align with broader ambitions in technology and data.[181] Yaccarino stepped down as CEO in July 2025, after which Musk assumed more centralized executive responsibilities.[180] On February 2, 2026, xAI, including X, became a wholly owned subsidiary of SpaceX, which reports X within its Super Intelligence (SI) segment.[182]Financial overview
Following Elon Musk's $44 billion acquisition of Twitter (now X) in October 2022, which included approximately $13 billion in debt, the platform experienced significant financial challenges, including a sharp decline in advertising revenue due to advertiser pullbacks over content moderation and brand safety concerns. Revenue fell substantially in the initial years post-acquisition. In 2024, total revenue was approximately $2.5 billion, a 13.7% decline from 2023. In 2025, revenue showed recovery and growth for the first time since the takeover. The company projected around $2.9 billion for the full year, a ~10% increase from 2024. In Q3 2025 (ended September 30), revenue reached $752 million, up 17% year-over-year, with the first nine months exceeding $2 billion. Subscriptions became a growing revenue stream, reaching a $1 billion annual run rate by early 2026, driven by X Premium and access to features like Grok AI. Despite revenue growth and aggressive cost-cutting (including ~80% workforce reduction), profitability remains challenging. X reported a $577.4 million net loss in Q3 2025, largely due to restructuring charges and high operating costs. EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) was positive at approximately $454 million in Q3 2025, up 16% from the prior year, and adjusted EBITDA roughly $1.25 billion in 2024. The company carries about $12 billion in debt from the acquisition, with annual interest costs exceeding $1 billion. In January 2025, Elon Musk publicly stated that “user growth is stagnant, revenue is unimpressive, and we’re barely breaking even.” Overall, while operational metrics like EBITDA show stabilization and positive trends in some quarters thanks to cost reductions, X has not achieved consistent net profitability as of early 2026, remaining closer to break-even on an operating basis but burdened by debt servicing and prior losses. Sources: Bloomberg reports (December 2025), European Business Magazine (March 2026), Social Media Today (February 2026), and other financial analyses.Global infrastructure
X operates a distributed global infrastructure combining proprietary data centers with cloud service partnerships to support its real-time operations. The platform maintains contracts with major providers including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and Oracle Cloud, leveraging these for scalable compute and storage needs.[183] In 2022, X migrated an exabyte of data to Google Cloud to enhance internal analytics and developer access, demonstrating reliance on hyperscale cloud environments for data-intensive tasks.[184] To manage costs post-acquisition, X has consolidated its physical footprint by exiting facilities such as its Sacramento data center, yielding approximately $100 million in annual savings while shifting toward optimized cloud and on-premises hybrids.[185] This infrastructure enables handling of peak loads during global events, with the system architected for high-volume real-time processing akin to historical capacities exceeding hundreds of millions of posts daily.[186] The setup prioritizes mobile app delivery, where optimizations ensure low-latency feeds and interactions dominate user access, supplemented by web client enhancements for broader compatibility.[187] Regional compliance is addressed through data handling practices aligned with laws like GDPR, though specifics on localized servers remain integrated into cloud provider frameworks.[183]User base and impact
As of early 2026, X has an estimated 550–600 million monthly active users (MAU) according to various third-party analyses, including DataReportal, Backlinko, Business of Apps, and others. Specific figures include approximately 557 million (commonly cited in October 2025 data), 561 million (as of July 2025 with some carryover), and up to 570 million in early 2026 reports. Lower estimates exist around 388 million in certain analyses, but consensus among multiple sources places the figure in the mid-to-high 500 millions. Daily active users are typically estimated between 200 and 260 million, depending on methodology (mobile vs. overall, ad reach proxies, etc.). These numbers reflect fluctuations post-2022 acquisition and rebranding, with X remaining a major platform despite advertiser and user shifts. Official figures are not publicly disclosed since X became privately held.Demographics and growth metrics
Alternative estimates place monthly active users at 388 million in 2024, reflecting methodological differences or stricter activity criteria, alongside documented regional contractions such as usage dips in the EU. X reported approximately 368 million monthly active users (MAU) in the third quarter of 2022, prior to the completion of its acquisition, followed by an initial dip and reported growth to an estimated 586 million MAU in 2024; however, independent analyses indicate a continued user exodus since the acquisition, with losses of millions of active users extending into 2026, countering notions of en masse migration to the platform and driven by factors including migration to alternatives like Bluesky and Threads.[188][189] As of February 2026, estimates vary between 570-600 million MAU due to X's private status, with Elon Musk stating approximately 600 million MAU on average and over 1 billion passive users, reflecting mixed success amid ongoing volatility.[190] Daily active users stood at around 200 million in 2024 and approximately 259 million in early 2026 reports, though data shows year-over-year declines such as 11.9% as of January 2026, reflecting sustained real-time engagement despite post-acquisition challenges, spikes in January 2026 including a 10x increase in long-form articles published, and overall engagement growth tempered by historical and persistent user losses.[191][190][192][189] Demographically, X's audience skews male, with males comprising 60-64% of users globally.[193][194] The platform's largest age cohort is 25-34 years old, accounting for about 37% of the user base, followed closely by 18-24 year olds, indicating a predominantly young adult demographic.[195] Geographically, the United States is the largest market, with 104 million users in January 2025 according to advertising audience data (potential ad reach rather than strictly monthly active users), representing a significant portion of the global total, with overall distribution favoring urban and tech-oriented regions.[196] In Spain, as of February 2026, the X app ranks number one in the News & Magazines category on both Google Play (usage ranking as of February 4) and the iOS App Store (recent ranking as of February 7), ahead of apps like Substack, EL PAÍS (on Android), and Reddit (on iOS). Although primarily a social network, X leads due to its real-time news functionality.[197][198] In Peru, X's advertising reach was 2.28 million users in January 2025, declining to 2.08 million by October 2025, representing potential ad audience rather than monthly active users.[199] In Brazil, as of late 2025 (data reflected in early 2026 reports), X had approximately 17.1 million users according to its advertising resources, representing potential ad reach used as a proxy for active users. This equated to 8.0% of Brazil's population, 9.7% of the eligible audience (aged 13+), and 10.0% of adults (aged 18+), reflecting a decrease of 4.04 million (-19.1%) from the end of 2024. Early 2026 data indicates similar figures around 17.1-17.6 million, with Brazil ranking 8th globally by user count.[200] In Thailand, as of late 2025 (the most recent available data in early 2026), X had approximately 13.3 million users according to its advertising resources, representing potential ad reach used as a proxy for active users and equating to 18.6% of the population.[201] In Chile, as of late 2025, X had approximately 3.25 million users according to its advertising resources (16.3% of the population), a 6.5% decline from the end of 2024; Threads had 1.60 million users. X remains the primary platform in Chile for real-time conversations, news sharing, politics, and public-opinion formation, and Threads has not replaced it. The platform experienced some outages in 2026.[202][203][204]User base by region
X does not publicly release detailed per-country active user figures, relying instead on advertising reach estimates from third parties like DataReportal and Statista. In January 2025, X had 104 million active users in the United States, based on X’s advertising audience data (potential ad reach, not strictly monthly active users).[196] According to DataReportal's Digital 2025: New Zealand report (published March 2025), X had a potential advertising reach of 933,000 in early 2025. This equated to 17.8% of New Zealand's total population (5.23 million) and 18.5% of internet users (5.03 million). The figure represents an increase of 150,000 (+19.2%) from early 2024. These are advertising reach numbers from X's ad planning tools, not necessarily monthly active users.[205] In Spain, X has an estimated 9.8–10.2 million users based on recent advertising audience data (as of 2025-2026). A January 2025 analysis of verified account penetration placed Spain at 0.75%, higher than the global average (~0.11–0.12% based on ~650,000 global X Premium subscribers out of 550–600 million monthly active users). This suggests roughly 1 in 133 Spanish X users has a blue tick (verified via X Premium or grants), for a ratio of verified to non-verified of about 1:132. These figures are estimates and may vary due to methodological differences, free verifications for high-engagement accounts, and subscription dynamics.User and account statistics
X (formerly Twitter) exhibits a highly skewed follower distribution typical of social networks, following a power-law pattern where a small number of accounts have millions of followers while the vast majority have very few. Analyses of large samples of accounts (e.g., nearly 100 million accounts studied by Brandwatch) indicate that the average number of followers per account is approximately 707, with the median significantly lower and most accounts having fewer than 1,000 followers. A substantial portion (reports suggest over 90% in some older estimates) have fewer than 100 followers. Follower growth and engagement vary widely by account size and niche. Benchmarks from 2025–2026 data include:- Micro accounts (under 5,000 followers): Average engagement rates of 2–5% for quality content in engaged niches.
- Small to mid-size accounts (5,000–50,000 followers): Engagement rates typically 1–3%, compressing as audiences include more passive followers.
- Larger accounts (over 50,000): 0.5–2%, with massive accounts (500,000+) averaging 0.2–1%.