X Nudges Users To Promote Posts With Pointing Hand
X is prompting users to promote their posts with a pointing hand, causing confusion and frustration among users. The move may be an attempt to increase engagement and revenue, but its effectiveness is unclear.
Original reporting · techcrunch.com
Original: “X is nudging users to promote their posts with a pointing hand, and people are confused”
Read “X is nudging users to promote their posts with a pointing hand, and people are confused” at TechCrunch →
How this was written. Hustle Bucks wrote this article with a language model from TechCrunch’s reporting (model: @cf/meta/llama-3.3-70b-instruct-fp8-fast); it describes that reporting rather than adding to it. The original, linked above, is the full story.
Key points from TechCrunch’s report
- X is prompting users to promote their posts with a pointing hand, causing confusion and frustration among users.
- The move may be an attempt to increase engagement and revenue, but its effectiveness is unclear.
- The introduction of the pointing hand comes as X has undergone some changes in its leadership, with Peter Sellis taking over as the platform's product chief.
- The reaction to the pointing hand has been largely negative, with many users expressing their frustration and annoyance at the sudden and intrusive prompt.
- X has not commented on the matter, and it is unclear whether the pointing hand is a permanent feature or a temporary test.
X, a social media platform, has introduced a new interface change that is prompting users to promote their posts with a pointing hand, according to TechCrunch. The hand suddenly appears while users are writing a post, pointing to the 'promote' button. This change has been met with confusion and frustration from users, with many taking to the platform to express their surprise and annoyance.
The pointing hand has been described as 'in-your-face' and 'obstructive', with some users comparing it to a prank meant to spook users, given its timing around Halloween. However, X has not confirmed whether the hand is a prank or a genuine attempt to encourage users to promote their posts.
Users have been sharing their experiences with the pointing hand on the platform, with many expressing their shock and frustration at the sudden appearance of the hand. Some have even speculated that the hand may be a tactic to increase engagement and revenue, although this has not been confirmed by X.
The introduction of the pointing hand comes as X has undergone some changes in its leadership, with Peter Sellis taking over as the platform's product chief. Sellis's predecessor, Nikita Bier, was known for her growth tactics, and some have speculated that the pointing hand may be a continuation of these tactics.
It is unclear whether the pointing hand is a permanent feature or a temporary test, and X has not commented on the matter. The platform has been reached out to for comment, and an update will be provided if a response is received.
The reaction to the pointing hand has been largely negative, with many users expressing their frustration and annoyance at the sudden and intrusive prompt. However, it is unclear whether the tactic will be effective in increasing engagement and revenue for X.
The introduction of the pointing hand raises questions about the platform's approach to user experience and engagement. As X continues to evolve and grow, it will be interesting to see how users respond to this and other changes, and whether the platform will prioritize user experience or revenue growth.
Questions and answers
What is the pointing hand on X?
The pointing hand is a new interface change that prompts users to promote their posts by pointing to the 'promote' button.
Why is X using the pointing hand?
The reason for the pointing hand is unclear, but it may be an attempt to increase engagement and revenue for the platform.
Is the pointing hand a permanent feature?
It is unclear whether the pointing hand is a permanent feature or a temporary test, as X has not commented on the matter.
