X has launched its official merchandise store, starting with a limited selection of branded apparel including t-shirts and caps. Currently, the store ships only within the U.S. and purchases are online-only. The launch aims to engage platform enthusiasts, create a tangible brand connection, build community identification, and support platform visibility. Future product expansion is promised, marking X's venture into branded merchandise.
X launches 'Lightning Notes' to enhance community fact-checking speed. Notes can go live in as little as 14 minutes after being written, thanks to a new scoring system and 800k+ global contributors. Contributors can write notes on specific images or videos, which automatically show on new posts with matching media. Research shows notes reduce sharing of posts by 60%, increase deletion by 80%, and are highly accurate.
X has announced significant changes to its API pricing and features. Free Tier now includes 500 posts/month and 50 reads/month, with free verified services. Basic Tier increases to $200/month or $1,800/year with a 25% discount, limited to 1 top-up. Pro Tier remains $5,000/month or $54,000/year with a 10% discount, also limited to 1 top-up. Changes were communicated via email but are not yet in online documentation.
X, formerly Twitter, has revamped its Creator Revenue Sharing program to link creator content directly with compensation, potentially boosting payouts. Key changes include engagement-based payouts from Premium users, direct user support through X Premium subscriptions, and growth-linked earnings tied to Premium subscription increases. This aims to enhance earnings, incentivize quality content, and grow Premium subscriber bases.
X has launched the beta version of X TV, aiming to become a video-centric platform and compete in the connected TV space. Key features include a video-first interface, AI-powered content curation, cross-device compatibility, and new advertising opportunities. This aligns with X's strategy to diversify content offerings and expand in the video streaming market. Success will depend on content quality, user adoption, and AI recommendations.
X has updated its analytics features for Verified Organizations users, introducing Insights, a real-time analysis tool for understanding market trends and public opinion. The update includes keyword analytics and conversation velocity tracking, beneficial for measuring trends and strategizing. These advanced insights, previously available only via advanced tools, are now exclusive to Verified Organizations subscribers, costing $200 to $1,000 monthly.
xAI has launched Grok-2 and Grok-2 mini, advanced language models with superior reasoning, chat, and coding capabilities. Grok-2 outperforms Claude 3.5 Sonnet and GPT-4-Turbo on the LMSYS leaderboard. Both models are available in beta on the π platform and will be accessible via an enterprise API. Grok-2 excels in academic benchmarks and vision-based tasks. Premium users on π can access these models, which offer real-time information integration.
X has introduced new reply sorting options for posts, enhancing user engagement and customization. Users can now sort replies by Most Relevant, Most Recent, and Most Liked. While the criteria for "Most Relevant" are unclear, the other options are straightforward, allowing users to tailor their experience and engage more effectively with discussions. Verified creators earn a percentage of ad revenue from replies, making reply engagement crucial.
X has introduced a feature allowing users to request a Community Note on posts with questionable claims. Available in the post menu on desktop, users can flag posts for review. Verified phone numbers are required, and users can make up to 5 requests daily. This aims to reduce misinformation. Community Notes, initially Birdwatch, was promoted by Elon Musk. Concerns exist about over-reliance on this system for content moderation, especially with upcoming elections.