In a recent update, Elon Musk, the influential figure behind Tesla and now at the helm of X, formerly known as Twitter, declared a reversal of the platform’s earlier decision. Musk announced that X would revert to displaying headlines in URL preview cards after their removal just a month ago. Previously, the decision to eliminate titles alongside URLs was made for “improved aesthetics,” according to Musk’s statement in August. However, this change was met with mixed reactions as it required users to click on the URL card to access the headline or title, prompting publishers to creatively integrate headlines within images or share them separately.
In an upcoming release, will overlay title in the upper potion of the image of a URL card
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 23, 2023
Musk’s recent revelation, made via a post on X, indicated that an imminent update would showcase titles atop the image of a URL card. Despite the announcement, Musk didn’t offer a specific timeline for the rollout or provide a visual representation of the revamped card. This alteration could potentially simplify the process for publications that faced challenges with custom formats due to the prior change. However, its efficacy would hinge on the layout and structure of the forthcoming card design.
Beyond this update, X has encountered a turbulent period recently. Several major advertisers, including Apple, Disney, and Comcast, temporarily halted their spending on the platform following Musk’s endorsement of remarks deemed antisemitic. Adding to the upheaval, Paris Hilton’s 11:11 Media rescinded its partnership with the social media company mere weeks after initially signing it. Moreover, Musk himself initiated legal action against Media Matters, responding to allegations of defamation. This legal move emerged subsequent to a news article by the organization, asserting that ads from prominent brands like IBM and Apple were placed alongside objectionable content.
