FWIW, I only started using X regularly after Elon took over. I have had an account for 15 years, but (without actually analysis) I bet 75% of my posts have come in the last 2 years.
I use it for entertainment and information triangulation, not monetization, so admittedly I'm not looking at the same kinds of metrics and I don't have the same considerations as Adam and other high-follower accounts.
I do wonder if, over time, the real user counts (i.e., less bots) will eventually lead to a more robust user base that can both be effectively monetized by X as well as by the content providers.
Hi Adam, I would like to respectfully submit other issues with Twitter that Elon is ignoring One that none of the larger accounts will highlite. One that your own contributor, Haley Kennington submitted and published via Wrongspeak. That issue is allowing the platform to truly be free. https://www.wrongspeakpublishing.com/p/twadoop-twitter-user-links-code-to
Here is what I would like to bring to your attention. That thousands of blue checks, and non blue checks alike are ending up under the "Probable Spam" section and never seen. Or the countless users who's accounts get locked for no apparent reason, other than "it was a mistake". The discovery by Heidi Briones that a current employee has falsely suspended and account because of a friend on the platform. https://x.com/HeidiBriones/status/1806023330237198704
Another problem is the snooty attitude users receive. Such as when people complain about their engagement, and Elon sees it. His response was, "Make better content", making them feel belittled. Or how about the fact that this very platform (Substack) is not welcome on Twitter and links are actively suppressed.
When Elon first walked in the door, people had great expectations. People had patience. But 2 1/2 years on, that patience is running very thin. To the point where I have cancelled my Premium + because it didn't improve my account engagement at all. I have also moved all of the subscriptions to others off of Twitter and supported them on other platforms.
If X is truly to be a free speech platform, which will bring more customer and increase activity, thereby bringing advertisers to the most used platform, they need to do the following.
1. Stop the rogue actions by staff.
2. They need to figure out the bot and mass reporting problem
3. They absolutely need to cleanup the algorithm still active that has been left over from Twitter 1.0.
4. Stop hating on other platforms. I don't see Facebook links being suppressed.
I never cared for Twitter....for the usual reasons....no reasoned discourse, lots of snarky remark or those that were too pat...and I have checked out X and am not drawn to it anymore, although sometimes that's the only platform that some reasonable people use. But, I guess I fall into the "grandma" camp that just want some civilized discourse. I do like Substack, even when some of the essays (not yours) ramble on!!!
Tesla. The Boring Company. You don't have to look far to find plenty of folk arguing neither of these can work over time either. Only Space X can conceivably become something; all the rest of Musk's companies are arguably on the road to nowhere as they all amount to bollocks Ponzi schemes reliant on folk being suggested into folie à plusieurs .
Large parts of the world economy work like this; nevertheless the world runs in spite of all the time, money, and effort invested in totally useless activity driven by magical thinking. Imagining God, you yourself operate on similar objectively daft premises.
The world was, is, and always will be founded, fueled, and run, mostly on collective delusion. So I expect X will run and run 'til folk stop throwing money at it, i.e: likely forever.
Ironically but happily enough, Man is not a rational animal.
Thanks Adam. Good analysis. I was never a big Twitter user and I use X a lot more since Elon took over. And I am VERY glad he did because of his releasing the "Twitter Files" and ridding us of all the shenanigans documented in those Twitter Files. But I do agree with your analysis that X is not a good, profitable, business opportunity.
You have a business and you want to advertise. Do you care if your company ad shows up in the replies of a neo-Nazi? Most do. Would you care if your ad showed up in a porn thread? Absolutely. These are legit concerns.
I always enjoy Adam's writing.
FWIW, I only started using X regularly after Elon took over. I have had an account for 15 years, but (without actually analysis) I bet 75% of my posts have come in the last 2 years.
I use it for entertainment and information triangulation, not monetization, so admittedly I'm not looking at the same kinds of metrics and I don't have the same considerations as Adam and other high-follower accounts.
I do wonder if, over time, the real user counts (i.e., less bots) will eventually lead to a more robust user base that can both be effectively monetized by X as well as by the content providers.
Fair points all of them. But not a guy I like to bet against.
Hi Adam, I would like to respectfully submit other issues with Twitter that Elon is ignoring One that none of the larger accounts will highlite. One that your own contributor, Haley Kennington submitted and published via Wrongspeak. That issue is allowing the platform to truly be free. https://www.wrongspeakpublishing.com/p/twadoop-twitter-user-links-code-to
Here is what I would like to bring to your attention. That thousands of blue checks, and non blue checks alike are ending up under the "Probable Spam" section and never seen. Or the countless users who's accounts get locked for no apparent reason, other than "it was a mistake". The discovery by Heidi Briones that a current employee has falsely suspended and account because of a friend on the platform. https://x.com/HeidiBriones/status/1806023330237198704
Another problem is the snooty attitude users receive. Such as when people complain about their engagement, and Elon sees it. His response was, "Make better content", making them feel belittled. Or how about the fact that this very platform (Substack) is not welcome on Twitter and links are actively suppressed.
When Elon first walked in the door, people had great expectations. People had patience. But 2 1/2 years on, that patience is running very thin. To the point where I have cancelled my Premium + because it didn't improve my account engagement at all. I have also moved all of the subscriptions to others off of Twitter and supported them on other platforms.
If X is truly to be a free speech platform, which will bring more customer and increase activity, thereby bringing advertisers to the most used platform, they need to do the following.
1. Stop the rogue actions by staff.
2. They need to figure out the bot and mass reporting problem
3. They absolutely need to cleanup the algorithm still active that has been left over from Twitter 1.0.
4. Stop hating on other platforms. I don't see Facebook links being suppressed.
Sincerely,
Dave
I never cared for Twitter....for the usual reasons....no reasoned discourse, lots of snarky remark or those that were too pat...and I have checked out X and am not drawn to it anymore, although sometimes that's the only platform that some reasonable people use. But, I guess I fall into the "grandma" camp that just want some civilized discourse. I do like Substack, even when some of the essays (not yours) ramble on!!!
I like Substack a lot as a creator. Far more reasonable responses and discussions.
Tesla. The Boring Company. You don't have to look far to find plenty of folk arguing neither of these can work over time either. Only Space X can conceivably become something; all the rest of Musk's companies are arguably on the road to nowhere as they all amount to bollocks Ponzi schemes reliant on folk being suggested into folie à plusieurs .
Large parts of the world economy work like this; nevertheless the world runs in spite of all the time, money, and effort invested in totally useless activity driven by magical thinking. Imagining God, you yourself operate on similar objectively daft premises.
The world was, is, and always will be founded, fueled, and run, mostly on collective delusion. So I expect X will run and run 'til folk stop throwing money at it, i.e: likely forever.
Ironically but happily enough, Man is not a rational animal.
Thanks Adam. Good analysis. I was never a big Twitter user and I use X a lot more since Elon took over. And I am VERY glad he did because of his releasing the "Twitter Files" and ridding us of all the shenanigans documented in those Twitter Files. But I do agree with your analysis that X is not a good, profitable, business opportunity.
I hear you but consider this:
You have a business and you want to advertise. Do you care if your company ad shows up in the replies of a neo-Nazi? Most do. Would you care if your ad showed up in a porn thread? Absolutely. These are legit concerns.