It’s often whispered in the virtual realm: The Algorithm. It’s the comprehensive system that determines the visibility of one’s online content. The world wide web treats it as a capricious entity, awaiting to be appeased, in fear of incurring its wrath. For many creators, the apprehension of their work being overlooked or not reaching the target audience is a real concern. Meanwhile, viewers also endure their share of undesirable experiences.
However, one platform that seems to be grappling more than most with its user-facing algorithm is X. Ever since it came under the patronage of Elon Musk, hence rechristening the erstwhile Twitter, the character of X’s primary feed algorithm has reportedly shifted. The algorithm revisions seem to favor posts from Musk himself and right-leaning viewpoints while flooding users with disturbing content, such as violent confrontations and graphic animal fatalities.
Roughly three years post-acquisition, X seems to be connecting the dots and understanding that such content may not sit well with a portion of its user base. Their proposed remedy leans heavily on another aspect of Musk’s business portfolio: generative AI. As per Musk, X’s content recommendation algorithm is set to become ‘purely AI.’
In the interim, X reveals plans to fine-tune its feed to better mirrors individual users’ preferences. The objective seems to move away from the blanket approach of a standard feed influenced by political narratives and mainstream trends. Instead, the platform aims for user feeds to allow a focus on personal interests, engaging like-minded people in meaningful conversations.
A subtle acknowledgment was also given regarding the disturbing content situation. Musk suggests that encountering such content signals an under-optimized user account, assuring the on-going work to rectify this issue.
Progressing towards a fully AI-driven platform, Musk confirms significant strides being taken on this path. Turning a spotlight on transparency, he pledges to publicize the algorithm’s workings every fortnight. The part demanding the most attention, however, was his endnote concerning dynamic feed adjustment.
By late this year, preferably November or at the latest by December, Musk suggests users should have the ability to modify the content they are served by simply posing a request to Grok. Grok, incidentally, is the built-in chatbot of X.
This change, if successfully put into practice, would mark a unique evolution offering users the power to request alterations in the content they receive in simple language. While various platforms currently provide ‘don’t recommend this content’ type buttons, their impact is limited and necessitates to apply on an individual basis.
If X’s revamped algorithm delivers on its promise, user feeds will reflect extensive, personalized modifications at the user’s behest.
The real question is — will this innovation succeed? Elon Musk’s various technology ventures don’t boast a flawless record of first-attempt success, yet this approach makes a fitting progression in today’s generative AI fascination. And X isn’t walking this path alone.
Social Media Today discloses that another platform is dipping its toes in similar waters, testing a mechanism allowing users to adjust their feed through post tagging.
For now, all eyes are on the coming months to witness this tool’s performance in real-time. It remains to speculate that a successful implementation may inspire other video-sharing platforms to follow suit.
The real game-changer in this scenario could be if a shift like this has the potential to influence the viewership statistics of content creators. But speculation is abound, and we await tangible results.
The post Elon Musk’s X Plans Revamp of Content Recommendation Algorithm appeared first on Real News Now.
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