What is “X” (formally twitter)?

What is Twitter “X”?

X (formally twitter) has undergone a major transformation under Elon Musk’s ownership. In 2022, Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion, with the goal of evolving it into an “everything app.” On July 23, Twitter unveiled a new identity, replacing its iconic blue bird logo with a stylized “X” logo. The Twitter name was also removed from its websites, apps, and headquarters, with X.com now redirecting to twitter.com.

Elon Musk twitted an image of the new X logo projected on the side of Twitter’s headquarters in San Francisco.

Musk’s vision is to turn Twitter into X, an app that would offer much more than social networking. His goal is to create an all-encompassing platform offering services from social networking and broadcasting to banking and shopping.

Why did Twitter become X?

Twitter’s rebranding to X comes as Musk aims to expand the platform beyond its origins. He purchased Twitter with the intention of using it as an “accelerant” for X, the “everything app.” Musk explained in a tweet that the Twitter name once made sense when the platform was primarily about sharing short, 140-character messages. But with plans to include a variety of services like banking, shopping, video, and messaging, the Twitter identity no longer aligned with the platform’s expanded capabilities.

How is X different from Twitter?

X will be far more than a social media platform; Musk envisions it as a super app that integrates messaging, banking, shopping, and various other services. In contrast, Twitter has always been a simple platform for sharing quick updates, following news, and engaging in public conversations.

Twitter’s CEO, Linda Yaccarino, emphasized that X is designed to be a platform that provides everything, powered by AI to offer audio, video, messaging, payments, and much more, creating a global marketplace for ideas, services, and opportunities.

Will my Twitter followers and content stay the same on X?

Yes, your followers, posts, and interactions have all been migrated to X. This means your social account remains intact, though new tools and features are being introduced as the platform evolves.

What are some of Twitter X’s newest features?

X introduces several exciting new features for users, such as X Premium, which allows for longer posts, improved video sharing, digital transactions, and even potential e-commerce functionalities. These new additions make X more versatile, combining entertainment, social media, and utilities into one app.

How long can my Twitter X posts be?

X recently unveiled long-form posts, allowing users to write up to 4,000 characters. However, these posts are only available to users who subscribe to X Premium, previously known as Twitter Blue.

Why is X so popular?

X’s popularity is driven by several key features that attract users worldwide.

• Real-Time Information Sharing: X allows users to stay up-to-date with breaking news and live events, making it the go-to platform for instant updates.
• Engagement with Celebrities and Public Figures: The presence of high-profile users attracts followers and boosts community engagement.
• Concise Communication: X’s 280-character limit promotes clear and brief communication, ideal for fast-paced digital consumption.
• Global Conversations: Hashtags allow users to join global discussions, uniting audiences from around the world.
• Niche Topics: The large user base makes it easy to connect with others interested in niche subjects in real-time.

Getting Started on X

To start using X, follow these steps:

1. Visit X.com or download the app: Go to the website or download the X app on your device.
2. Sign up: Click “Sign Up” to begin the registration process.
3. Enter your information: Provide your name, phone number or email, and date of birth.
4. Create a password: Choose a secure password.
5. Verify your account: Complete the verification process via email or SMS.
6. Select your interests: Choose topics that interest you to customize your feed.
7. Follow accounts: Start following accounts and exploring the content shared by others.

How to Create an X Account

Once you’ve signed up, here’s how to start navigating the platform:

• Post: Share your thoughts, images, or videos within the 280-character limit.
• Follow users: Follow others to see their posts in your feed.
• Engage: Like, retweet, or reply to content to interact with others.
• Use hashtags: Participate in larger conversations by using relevant hashtags.
• Direct Messages: Send private messages to users.

Key Features of X

X offers several features that enhance user engagement and connectivity:

• For You Tab: A personalized feed tailored to your interests, featuring posts from both accounts you follow and those you don’t.
• Following Tab: A feed showing posts only from the accounts you follow, for a more focused experience.
• Spaces: A live audio feature that lets users host and participate in real-time discussions.
• Lists: Users can curate and organize accounts into specific groups, creating personalized, public or private feeds.
• Polls: Create interactive polls to gather opinions, with customizable durations and real-time results.
• Bookmarks: Save tweets for later viewing, privately organizing your content.
• Communities: Join or create groups to connect with people who share your interests.

Twitter Metrics

X (formerly Twitter) offers several metrics that can help you analyze your marketing efforts and make data-driven decisions to grow on the platform. The most commonly tracked metrics on X include comments, reposts, likes, and views.

Important Social Media Metrics to Measure

Comments

Comments, or replies, are an essential metric that reflects audience engagement. They show how many times users have directly responded to your tweets.

Why Comments Matter:

• They indicate active user engagement and foster ongoing conversations.
• They provide valuable feedback and insights into how users feel about your content.
• Increased comments can boost your tweet’s visibility by driving more interaction.

How to Improve Your Comment Metrics:

• Encourage responses by asking open-ended questions in your tweets.
• Keep the conversation going by responding to comments.
• Share content that sparks debate or invites diverse opinions.

Reposts

Reposts, previously known as retweets, occur when users share your tweet with their own followers.

Why Reposts Are Important:

• They extend the reach of your content, bringing it to a broader audience.
• Reposts serve as endorsements, adding credibility to your posts.
• They increase the likelihood of your content going viral.

Strategies to Boost Reposts:

• Create shareable content, such as infographics, compelling statistics, or breaking news.
• Use relevant hashtags to increase discoverability.
• Encourage followers to repost by directly asking them to do so.

Likes

Likes are a simple yet powerful metric that shows how many users find your tweet appealing or agreeable.

The Value of Likes:

• They provide a quick snapshot of your tweet’s popularity.
• Likes contribute to your overall engagement rate.
• They can influence the platform’s algorithm, helping your content reach more users.

Tips for Increasing Likes:

• Share visually appealing content, including images, videos, or GIFs.
• Post relevant and timely content that resonates with your audience.
• Use humor or emotional appeals to connect with users.

Views

Views, also known as impressions, represent the total number of times your tweet has been seen by users.

Why Views Matter:

• Views help measure the overall reach of your content.
• They give you insight into the potential size of your audience.
• Views are useful for calculating engagement rates (engagement/views).

Ways to Maximize Your View Counts:

• Post during peak activity times when your audience is most likely to be active.
• Use trending hashtags to increase visibility.
• Engage with popular accounts in your niche to tap into their audience.

How to Analyze X (Twitter) Metrics Together

While each metric provides valuable individual insights, analyzing them together offers a more comprehensive understanding of your performance on the platform. Below are some examples of combined X (Twitter) metrics and their potential implications for your marketing strategy and growth.

To maximize the value of your Twitter metrics, consider creating a dashboard to display these combinations side by side. This approach will allow you to:

• Identify trends over time
• Spot correlations between different metrics
• Quickly assess the overall health of your Twitter strategy

Tips and Tricks for Growing Your Brand on X

To effectively grow your brand on X, here are some valuable strategies:

• Post Consistently: Maintain a regular posting schedule to stay visible and relevant in your audience’s feed.
• Engage with Others: Actively participate in conversations, respond to comments, and build a community around your profile.
• Share Valuable Content: Focus on providing valuable insights, tips, or entertaining content that resonates with your audience.
• Utilize Analytics: Leverage performance metrics to better understand your audience’s preferences, allowing you to tailor your content accordingly.
• Collaborate: Partner with other users, influencers, or brands for cross-promotion, expanding your reach and enhancing your credibility.
• Run Contests or Promotions: Organize interactive campaigns, such as giveaways or contests, to engage your followers and encourage them to share your content.
• Create Compelling Content: Share engaging and relatable tweets that resonate with your audience.
• Use Strategic Hashtags: Increase visibility by using relevant and trending hashtags.
• Run Advertising Campaigns: Utilize X’s advertising tools to reach a broader audience.
• Participate in Trending Conversations: Stay relevant by joining trending topics within your industry.

X (Twitter) Competitors in the Social Media Space

X faces competition from several platforms, each offering unique features and attracting diverse user bases. Some prominent competitors include: Best Alternative Platforms to X (Twitter) in 2025

• Threads: Meta’s text-based app integrated with Instagram, rapidly growing to over 100 million users.
• Bluesky: A decentralized network focusing on user data ownership and control.
• Mastodon: An open-source, decentralized platform offering customizable servers.
• Reddit: A discussion-based platform with strong niche communities and user-generated content.
• LinkedIn: A professional networking platform with over 900 million members.
• Facebook: A general social network with over 3 billion monthly active users.

Despite this competition, X maintains a distinctive position in the social media landscape. Its combination of real-time information sharing, influential users, and open dialogue helps it set itself apart in the crowded social media ecosystem.