X (Formerly Twitter) Unveils Discreet Ads and User Engagement Updates

The platform once known as Twitter, now rebranded as X, has introduced a series of significant changes, including alterations to the way advertisements are displayed on the platform. In a move reported by Mashable, X has started showcasing ads that limit user engagement options, such as the ability to like or retweet the ad. Furthermore, these ads obscure the identity of the advertiser and eliminate the indicator that the content is, in fact, an advertisement.

These ads are designed to mimic regular user-generated content, featuring minimal text, an image, and a fictitious profile picture, creating the illusion that they originate from real individuals. Most of these advertisements fall into the category of “chumbox” ads, akin to clickbait stories frequently found at the bottom of web pages.

When users interact with these ads, clicking on the ad or associated avatar, they are redirected to third-party websites in new browser windows. This strategy implies that X may be grappling with challenges in attracting advertisers willing to invest directly in the platform, resorting instead to third-party ad sales.

Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter, recently shared plans to enhance the platform’s user experience by concealing like and reply buttons from the primary interface, with the aim of improving readability. Furthermore, X is exploring novel ways for users to interact with tweets, potentially introducing features like double-tapping to like posts on mobile or swiping to reply.

Musk has also hinted at expanding the company’s subscription service with additional tiers, although specific details regarding these changes remain undisclosed. These developments signify X’s determination to evolve and adapt in the ever-changing landscape of social media.