If you’re noticing a lot more tweets from unfamiliar users appearing in your feed, that’ll be because Twitter has rolled out a number of updates to expand its content recommendation algorithm.
Twitter will now generate recommendations based on a range of different user actions, including topics followed, tweet engagement, follower activity, and follower networks.
The company seems to be attempting to emulate the success of TikTok’s recommendation algorithm, which Facebook and Instagram have also worked to mimic.
The move comes as part of a broader shift across the social media landscape. Platforms appear to be more focused on entertainment rather than social interaction, with AI-driven algorithms prioritizing content from influencers and celebrities.
Critics have spoken out against this practice, claiming it is taking away from what social media was originally intended for. However, with the enormous number of social media users worldwide, it’s no real surprise that the platforms have taken a more commercial approach in an attempt to further monetize their services.
After his controversial Twitter takeover, new CEO Elon Musk has been vocal about his desire to make Twitter more profitable. He launched the Twitter Blue verification feature last month, a move that was met with much backlash, and has detailed plans for several other features in the pipeline that he hopes will help boost the platform’s revenue.