X's algorithm

In 2023, X (formerly known as Twitter) revealed the algorithm that they use to decide which posts you see on your explore page, explaining how it selects a few top posts from over 500 million daily submissions for the "For You" timelines. The algorithm relies on machine learning models that gather information from the user (you) by looking at your likes and activity across the app. It uses a three-stage recommendation pipeline to determine what content appears.

The first stage is called candidate sourcing and it is where they pull top posts from various sources. Once the data is collected, a machine learning model ranks them. The third stage, heuristics and filters are applied to eliminate content from blocked users, NSFW posts, and posts you may have already seen.

As someone who is active on X, I’ve learned a few key strategies to increase my posts’ visibility:

1. Optimize for Likes and Reposts: I noticed that the algorithm weighs likes and reposts much more heavily than replies. Each like gives a 30x boost, each repost a 20x boost, while replies only give a 1x boost. So, I try to create content that encourages people to like and share, which increases its chances of showing up on the For You timeline.

2. X Premium for Extra Boosts: By subscribing to X Premium, I get an extra boost in visibility. This feature is particularly useful if you want to reach a larger audience consistently.

3. Include Graphics or Videos: I also discovered that posts with images or videos get twice the boost of text-only posts. While content quality is always key, I make sure to include visuals to capture more attention.

4. Maintain a Good Follower-to-Following Ratio: I’ve learned not to follow too many accounts compared to the number of followers I have. Accounts that follow significantly more people than follow them tend to be penalized. Instead of following accounts to get more followers, I focus on following those that align with my interests.

5. Focus on Relevant Topics: X groups users based on interests, so I aim to create content that aligns with popular topics. The more relevant my post is to a user’s interests, the higher it ranks.

Additionally, I’ve explored X’s options to customize my experience. I often toggle between the "Latest" timeline, which shows posts in chronological order, and the "Home" timeline, which displays top-ranked posts. Creating personalized timelines with X Lists has also been helpful, and I use Topics and Trends to discover new content that aligns with my interests.

By understanding how X’s algorithm works, I’ve been able to improve my content strategy. Using engagement strategies, including diverse content types, and aligning posts with relevant topics have helped me increase my visibility and reach on the platform.