*Because I will never call Twitter "X," I will call Twitter "Twitter" in this text. Thank you for your understanding.

Twitter's Algorithm Overhaul

૮₍⇀‸↼‶₎ა Twitter’s algorithm really sucks lately. If you’ve noticed your timeline looking a little weird (read aggressive), you’re not alone. Twitter’s algorithm, the mechanics behind what tweets are popping up on your screen, has undergone some changes. But instead of improving our social media experience, it feels like our timelines have turned into a chaotic mix of content we didn't ask for and definitely don't care about. Damn Elon, what the hell have you done!

Why the Change?

The driving force behind these changes is probably engagement, plain and simple. Twitter, like any social media platform, wants to keep you scrolling to death. By showing you content that’s more likely to interest you (or so they think LOL), they’re hoping to keep you hooked. This helps boost twittos satisfaction and also lifts ad revenue as advertisers get more eyeballs on their content.

However, the recent tweaks seem to have missed something. Instead of a customized feed, users are literally stuck with bad irrelevant content, making the Twitter experience frustrating AF. Topics and accounts you have zero interest in show up more frequently, disrupting the flow of your timeline. In my case, for example, I lost tons of crypto and art content and instead started to get scammy tweets, weird propaganda, and politics (though I won't complain about the meme goldmine brought by the American election). Thankfully, Illuminati and alpaca-related content still make it to my timeline.

Another reason for this move may be the ongoing race with other social media platforms (including Web3 socials). With constant innovations here and there, Twitter needs to stay lit and ahead of the curve to retain its user base. But this latest algorithm update seems like a bit of a flop, with many users feeling alienated by the onslaught of unwanted tweets.

The Unwanted Content Hassle

Let's face it: nobody likes to see their timeline cluttered with content that doesn't resonate with them. But lately, that's precisely what's been happening. The algorithm changes have led to an influx of tweets and retweets from accounts coming out of nowhere, topics you couldn't care less, and voracious advertisements disguised as tweets. (Got tons of ads for capilar and CBD pills these days. Why?)

This shift has left many of us wondering why Twitter has strayed so far from what made it great: a platform to check updates from the people, frens, and topics you are into. Now, it feels more like a noisy thrift shop, with random stuff all over the place; a bit irritating when you have been putting effort into curating/fighting the algo’ to sharpen your feed.

How to Adapt to the New Algorithm

Navigating these changes might seem daunting, but there are some simple hacks to (try) regain a bit of control over your Twitter experience:

  1. Engage, Engage, Engage: Interact with your followers. The more you engage, the more your tweets will be prioritized. Liking, retweeting, and replying to tweets from accounts you care about can help the algo understand better who you are.
  2. Be Consistent: Regular tweeting keeps you into the game. Don’t disappear for weeks at a time or you will be out of the loop. Consistency signals to the machine that your account is active and worth promoting.
  3. Use Hashtags Like a Boss: Relevant hashtags can boost your visibility beyond your follower base. However, overloading your tweets with hashtags can make you a spammer. You don’t want to be one of these guys.
  4. Stay Relevant: Tweet about cool topics, and join trendy convos. Being part of the current discourse can increase your visibility. Ofc.
  5. Media Matters: Tweets with images, videos, and GIFs tend to get more engagement. Visual content is more likely to catch the eye and encourage interactions.

Despite these strategies, the recent changes still make it tricky to curate a timeline that feels both yours and relevant. But let's do our best and try to keep things from getting too messed up. Personally, sometimes I feel like we should just give up and gradually migrate to the new internet 4ever. = )

All-In On Web3 Socials

Now, let's talk about Web3 social platforms, including Lens Protocol and Farcaster. Unlike Web2 platforms like Twitter, which operate on centralized models, Web3 platforms are decentralized, meaning they’re not controlled by a single entity but by the users and the community. This decentralization offers a fresh take on how social media should operate.

Here’s a non exhaustive list of why Web3 could be a game-changer:

  1. User Control: In Web3, users have more control over their data and content. You’re not at the mercy of ever-changing algorithms dictated by a profit-focussed and greedy corporation. This means fewer bad surprises and more of what you actually care about in your feed.
  2. Your Content Will Make You Shine: On Web2 socials, your visibility is influenced by unpredictable factors, not necessarily your content's quality. In Web3 platforms like Lens, your engagement and content value to the community decide how easily you're noticed.
  3. Transparency: Web3 platforms often operate on blockchain tech, offering transparency in how algorithms work and decisions are made. No more sneaky tweaks that suddenly fill your timeline with junk.
  4. Monetization: Many Web3 platforms enable users to monetize their content directly through crypto, tokens, and NFTs, offering new revenue streams. This direct monetization means creators can benefit more fairly from their contributions.
  5. Community-Driven: The community often decides the platform’s future, making sure changes benefit users, not just the platform’s profits. This democratic approach helps avoid annoying algorithm changes that leave users in a bad mood.

Why We Should be Bullish on Web3 Socials

Web3 is all about decentralization and giving users more power. Because people catch on to the idea of owning their digital space, Web3 platforms are becoming more appealing than ever. Just imagine a social media where your feed actually reflects your interests, not just what makes big companies $money.

Twitter's messing around with algorithms to boost engagement, but it's showing us the downsides of centralized platforms—tons of content we don't care about cluttering our feeds. Web3 offers a different vibe, with more control, transparency, and chances for us to do things our way. The futur3 of socials is just right there, frens.

(づ˶•༝•˶)づ♡

b.