In the ever-evolving world of X (formerly Twitter), Elon Musk has announced another change that has users buzzing – and not necessarily in a good way. The platform’s CEO revealed plans to remove the visible count of likes and reposts from user feeds, leaving only “view counts” displayed on timelines.
The decision was met with swift criticism from X users, with many labeling the move as “excessively stupid” and warning that it could “greatly reduce engagement” on the platform. The rationale behind the change remains unclear, but Musk seems determined to forge ahead, stating that “this is definitely happening.”
The news first broke when a prominent X account, DogeDesigner, posted that the platform was considering hiding like and repost counts, though users would still be able to see those metrics by tapping into individual posts. Musk confirmed the report, adding that only “view count, as a proxy for the other metrics, will show on the timeline.”
X users were quick to voice their disapproval, with many arguing that visible engagement metrics play a crucial role in driving interaction and content discovery. “This will cause less engagement as people tend to engage with posts they can see are having a big amount of likes,” one user commented, echoing a sentiment shared by many.
Others suggested alternative approaches, such as introducing a “dislike button” or leaving engagement metrics visible to maintain transparency and encourage user participation.
Musk’s announcement comes amidst a flurry of changes and new features he has introduced to X since acquiring the platform last year. Most recently, he unveiled plans to allow users to pin specific posts for their followers, further shaking up the platform’s dynamics.
As X continues to evolve under Musk’s leadership, the debate over hiding like and repost counts highlights the delicate balance between innovation and preserving the elements that have made the platform engaging for its user base. Only time will tell if this latest change will be embraced or met with further resistance from the X community.
