Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, and owner of X (formerly Twitter), recently sparked controversy by criticizing the platform’s algorithm. According to Musk, the current algorithm promotes “too much negativity,” potentially contributing to the growing problem of social media’s impact on mental health. Recent studies, in fact, highlight how constant exposure to negative content can increase stress, anxiety and depression in users.
Musk explained that X’s algorithm operates on a fairly simple principle: if a user interacts with a piece of content, the algorithm assumes that the user wants to see more similar content. Actions such as forwarding a post are interpreted as strong signals of approval, influencing the selection of future content. However, Musk admitted that the algorithm has a crucial flaw: it cannot distinguish between a positive interaction, such as sharing a well-liked content, and a negative one, such as sharing a content that generates outrage.
Recent research has raised concerns that Musk may have modified X’s algorithm to favor certain political views. A study conducted by the Queensland University of Technology suggests that posts by Musk and other users with conservative views gained greater visibility after Musk announced his support for Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. These allegations raise questions about the impartiality of the algorithm and its potential use to influence public debate.
Musk outlined a new goal for X’s algorithm: to maximize “unregretted seconds of use,” or the time users spend on the platform in a positive and meaningful way. To achieve this, X would be working to modify the algorithm to promote more informative and entertaining content, favoring those that entertain, inform and positively stimulate users. Musk encourages the creation of longer, more in-depth content, which tends to generate greater attention and engagement. Additionally, the algorithm should consider several factors, such as time spent viewing a post and user reactions, to evaluate the quality of the experience.
X is reportedly developing a system capable of “dynamically adjusting the feed” based on each user’s preferences and interests. The algorithm will learn from user behaviors, personalizing the feed and showing increasingly relevant content. While this personalization could improve the user experience, it raises concerns about the creation of “filter bubbles” and “echo chambers”, where users are only exposed to content that confirms their pre-existing opinions, limiting the access to different perspectives.
Musk didn’t limit his criticism to X’s algorithm. He also expressed concerns about other social media algorithms, such as Threads’, accusing them of “manipulating the information” that users view. Musk therefore seems to support a more transparent and less manipulative approach to managing online content. Changes to X’s algorithm could have significant implications for the entire social media ecosystem. If Musk can create a more positive online environment, other platforms could be pushed to follow suit. However, the challenge is complex. Changing an algorithm requires time, resources and specific skills. Furthermore, not all users necessarily appreciate the new direction. Some may complain about a reduction in the variety of content or less visibility of different opinions and perspectives.
