The recent changes to X’s reply sorting options have sparked a lot of discussion among users. One of the main points of contention has been the dominance of “blue checks” in reply threads. In the past, the blue checkmark was used to verify the authenticity of notable users on X. However, under Elon Musk’s leadership, X has made some significant changes.
Previously, users could obtain a blue checkmark if they were deemed to be of notable status. However, X has now introduced X Premium, a paid subscription service that allows anyone to get a blue checkmark for a monthly fee of $8. This move has attracted a fair amount of criticism, as it has seemingly diminished the value and significance of the blue checkmark.
One of the privileges that blue check subscribers enjoyed was priority in the mentions of posts. This meant that their replies would often appear at the top of the replies section, even if they were not relevant to the conversation at hand. This skewed the discussion and made it difficult for regular users to have their voices heard.
To address this issue, X has introduced new reply sorting options. Users now have the ability to sort replies by “most recent” or “most liked.” These options allow users to view replies in chronological order or based on the number of likes they have received. Importantly, these options seem to level the playing field for blue check accounts, as their posts are no longer given priority in these sorting methods.
There is also a third option called “most relevant,” which appears to be a continuation of the previous default sorting method. It is unclear how X determines what is considered “most relevant,” but blue check accounts still seem to be prioritized in this view.
The introduction of these new reply sorting options raises the question of whether X Premium subscriber rates will be affected. If many users prefer to view replies based on likes or recency, the appeal of the blue checkmark and its associated benefits may diminish. This could potentially lead to a decline in the number of subscribers to X Premium.
It will be interesting to see how X’s user base responds to these changes and whether the new reply sorting options gain popularity. The ability for any user to change the sorting options on any post adds a level of customization and control to the user experience. Ultimately, X’s goal should be to create a more inclusive and fair platform where all users have an equal chance to be heard and participate in meaningful discussions.