X's new update makes it harder to read news, but Musk says it looks better

Elon Musk and X (formerly Twitter) continue their ongoing streak of updates.

X has decided to eliminate headlines from links to news stories to enhance their visual appeal.

What

• In certain regions, X has ceased displaying headlines for articles and web pages shared on the platform. Instead, when you share a link, only the featured image and the website's name are shown.
• This alteration was implemented because Musk believed it would enhance the platform's aesthetics, even though it is posing a greater challenge for news organisations.
• This change has made it more challenging for users, especially those following news outlets, to grasp the content's context.

This modification applies to iOS and desktop users but excludes ads.

Musk's stance against traditional news

• The billionaire has been critical of traditional media for some time, asserting that X offers superior information.
• Within a week, he tweeted twice, making comments about legacy news.

• He also temporarily restricted posts from accounts such as the New York Times and banned, then reinstated journalists from major news outlets like the Washington Post and CNN.
• Some media organisations have even completely stopped using X.
• In August, AFP and other French news outlets filed a lawsuit against X, alleging copyright violations.

Since taking control of Twitter and rebranding it as X in a $44 billion deal last year, Musk has implemented significant changes, including layoffs and allowing some previously banned individuals back on the platform, resulting in some advertisers leaving.

The removal of headlines represents a substantial shift in the appearance of X posts.