Twitter to X: The Interesting Changes You Need to Know

2023 has most definitely been a significant year for social media platforms but one which stands out the most for us is the transformation from Twitter to X. Billionaire Elon Musk purchased Twitter back in October 2022 for a whopping $44 billion. With the rise of other popular social media platforms, like Instagram and TikTok, we saw Twitter’s decline in popularity. When Elon Musk took over though, Twitter had lost an estimated 13% of its daily active users, according to Big Technology. 

Several months after Musk’s significant purchase, the rebrand of Twitter to X took place. The logo has changed from Twitter to X – a black background with a giant X has now taken over the iconic blue bird logo. The rebrand from Twitter to X has not only brought about logo changes but also new policies surrounding verification (the blue tick); content moderation; account bands and more.

So, if you or your business is one of the millions of Twitter/X users, this provokes an interesting and important question – how will the Twitter to X transformation impact my experience on the app? We’re here to help! We’ll be breaking down the key changes from Twitter to X, the verification rollout crisis, the transformed policies and more. One thing’s for sure X isn’t the Twitter that you remember. So let’s get started on the changes from Twitter to X. 

History of Twitter

The social platform known for its Tweets has now undergone a major transformation since its inception back in 2006. 

Early Development, Launch & Rise to Fame

Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams were all working at podcasting company, Odeo in 2006 when they came up with the idea to have a real-time broadcast service. What began as an in-company prototype would soon become the global phenomenon that is Twitter today. Twitter was officially launched in the summer of 2006; the platform’s core feature, 140 character Tweet and real-time nature, quickly gained traction from journalists and the media.

By the following year, Twitter had amassed over a million active users and with celebrities and public figures joining, the popularity of the platform skyrocketed. Twitter transformed into a tool for social interaction, communication, and business promotion. 

What Were the Differentiating Features of This Platform?

• Tweets: This 140 character message made it easy for users to share their thoughts and ideas with friends.
• Real-time: The instant nature of Twitter made it perfect to get updates from the news and current events.
• Hashtags: Hashtags enabled community building and conversation while enhancing the platform’s ability to search for specific topics.
• Mobile app: In 2009, Twitter released a mobile app, enabling users to Tweet and get updates on the go.
• Trends: In 2009, Trends was introduced, enabling users to keep up to date with new trending topics.

Twitter’s Key Changes Throughout the Years

• 2015 – Live Streaming was introduced.
• 2017 – Character limit expansion from 140 to 280 per Tweet.
• 2020 – Fleets were introduced (disappearing Tweets).

Twitter’s Societal Impact

Twitter truly revolutionised not only the way that we use social media platforms, but also the way we communicate with others; how we share information; and how we engage with news and the media. It has also played a vital role in shaping public opinion and influencing cultural trends.

The Reasons for a Rebrand

That takes us to 2023, when Elon Musk announced the Twitter to X rebrand. While some users expressed scepticism, the rebrand signalled Elon Musk’s ambitious vision for the social platform that he had hoped would revolutionise the social media landscape.

One of the main reasons for the rebrand from Twitter to X was that Elon Musk felt like Twitter was associated with a certain reputation that carried criticism stemming from issues related to bot accounts, inconsistent content moderation policies, and he wanted a fresh start for the brand. X represented, for Musk, a new chapter revolving around free speech and limited moderation.

With Instagram and TikTok growing in popularity and overtaking Twitter’s user base, Musk felt a need to rebrand and position X as a more versatile and competitive platform. The letter “X” creates a sense of mystery and innovation which suggests Musk’s plans to redefine the social media landscape. 

The branding also correlates with what we see a lot of today, minimalism. The clean, simple, functional design aims to emphasise the platform’s core focus on simplicity and utility.

What’s Changed in X?

Since Musk’s acquisition and rebranding from Twitter to X, significant changes have been made which businesses and creators alike should be aware of and familiar with. Let’s begin:

1. New Terminology – “Tweets” are now “posts”, “following” is now “subscribing”. 
2. Streamlined Interface – A more user-friendly interface was adopted characterised by clean lines, core features, and minimal clutter, making it easy for users to navigate on the platform.
3. Expanded Functionality – X now features the ability to message, video conference, pay, and crypto trade. 
4. Innovative Features – X has got unique features such as threaded comments, AR overlays, and immersive messaging. 
5. Community Building – New features enabling group chats, shared spaces and clubs.
6. Verification – The verification tick is now available for purchase through the monthly Blue subscription. 
7. Content Moderation – According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Musk laid off 80% of Twitter’s workforce. This has caused issues with the safety and moderation of the platform.
8. Account Reinstatements – Musk reinstated accounts that were once banned. 

Impact of the Rebrand for Users

The rebrand from Twitter to X has received mixed reviews; some users are enthusiastic to see what new and innovative features Musk is planning for the platform, while others are sceptical and perhaps concerned about the safety within the platform. For the millions of active users on the platform, the rebrand from Twitter to X signals an uncertain new era. So what are the main concerns Twitter/X users have with this rebrand?

• Policy Changes: The verification checks have certainly been one of the most controversial changes, particularly for safety reasons. Trusted information streams now feel diluted, fake celebrity/public figure accounts have been created.
• Hate Speech: Due to the limits with content moderation, hate speech has been on the rise on X. The Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) released a report stating that X is failing to remove posts that breach its community rules in relation to hate speech.
• Loss of Familiarity: The new terminology along with the new interface from Twitter to X has left users feeling unfamiliar with the platform.
• Concerns about Elon Musk: Musk’s reputation for eccentricity and controversial statements has raised concerns about the future of the social media platform. 

The Future of X

As of right now, it’s hard to tell what the future of X holds for businesses, content creators, and users. X could have real potential in evolving into an innovative platform with brand new, user-friendly features which could redefine the social media landscape. 

On the other hand, Musk’s unpredictable nature and further controversial changes could deter users while hindering the platform’s growth. 

The success of X will depend on whether Musk can strike a balance between innovation and stability, whilst addressing concerns of existing users and attracting new ones.

Key Takeaways: From Twitter to X

The rebrand from Twitter to X marks a new era for the platform. Since Musk’s acquisition of the social platform, we have already seen massive updates and changes.

The Twitter that we were all once familiar with has totally transformed, from raising questions regarding credibility to shifting policies, the transition from Twitter to X has truly become the social media story of the year.

We really don’t know what’s in store for X, but we hope Musk can come up with some truly innovative and exciting ideas and features that will shift the dynamics of the social media landscape that we know today, while also keeping users, businesses, and public figures safe. 

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