Summary of the Event
Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, formerly known as Twitter, is set to remove public likes from users’ profiles. This change aims to allow users to like posts without fear of public scrutiny or backlash. The announcement was made by X’s Director of Engineering, Haofei Wang, and has sparked a variety of reactions from users and experts alike.
Details of the Change
According to Haofei Wang, the removal of public likes is intended to prevent users from feeling discouraged to like content that might be considered "edgy" due to fear of retaliation or damage to their public image. Users will still be able to see who liked their own posts, and the like count on posts and replies will remain visible. However, the tab on users’ profiles showcasing all the posts they have liked will be removed.
Reactions and Implications
The decision has generated mixed reactions. Some users and experts believe that this change will make the platform less engaging, as public likes and reposts serve as markers for viral content. Others argue that it will allow for more genuine interactions without the pressure of public judgment.
**Key Points: **
- Public likes will be removed from users’ profiles.
- Users can still see who liked their own posts.
- Like counts on posts and replies will remain visible.
- The change aims to reduce fear of retaliation and protect public image.
Expert Opinions
Some experts believe that the removal of public likes could lead to a decrease in engagement on the platform. They argue that public metrics like likes and reposts are crucial for identifying trending topics and encouraging participation. On the other hand, some users appreciate the move, as it allows them to engage with content more freely without worrying about public perception.
Future Prospects
While the change is set to be implemented soon, there is always the possibility of a rollback, as has been the case with some of Musk’s previous changes to the platform. For now, users will have to adapt to this new way of interacting on X.
Conclusion
Elon Musk’s decision to remove public likes from X is a significant shift in how users will interact on the platform. While it aims to create a safer and more genuine space for users, it also raises questions about the future of engagement and virality on X.
Sources
- Elon Musk’s X will soon remove public likes, Mashable.
- Elon Musk’s Plan to Hide Like Counts and Retweets Is Going to Make Twitter Boring as Hell, Gizmodo.
- Elon Musk says X may stop showing the number of likes and reposts people get, Business Insider.
- Musk Says X Will ‘Definitely’ Hide Like And Repost Metrics From Timeline, Forbes.
- Musk says X is considering removing likes, reposts from content, Nasdaq.