Explained: How X’s new algorithm prioritises replies by mutuals over virality

Social messaging platform X (formerly Twitter) is rolling out an algorithm update that gives greater visibility to replies from people users follow and who follow them back, commonly known as “mutuals”.

According to a Monday night post by Nikita Bier, who works on Product Growth at X, noted that the new update is introduced to boost the visibility of users’ posts more to their mutuals than to people unfamiliar to them.

Providing additional reasons for the latest algorithm adjustment, Bier noted that mostly, users’ mutuals are not visible in the replies to their posts. Consequently, a user might not really recognise people replying to their post. 

In the previous X outlook, replies to a post are often arranged by default (X algorithm) or by setting to most liked, most recent or most relevant. However, an algorithm that gives prominence to the replies of mutuals did not exist. 

As a default, X users often find replies by blue checkmark accounts at the top, even if they are completely irrelevant to the conversation. Bier described this scenario as a “battleground”, as most reply sections are dominated by arguments, insults, trolling, or political fights.

“We’re rolling out a small tweak to boost visibility of your posts to your mutuals (people who you follow back). “We noticed this data was missing from the algo, and it made your friends appear less in your replies. This resulted in the reply section feeling more like a battleground with people you don’t recognise,” he added. 

The new update is X’s latest attempt to redesign its algorithm to suit users’ tastes.

Bier also mentioned that the new update has been in popular demand, adding that it would help mutuals connect easily with one another. “This should also help clusters form around interests more easily, which many people have asked for,” he added.

Also Read: X might be launching a crypto product to ‘fix rough year’ for digital currencies soon.

The new X reply algorithm explained

Now, X is changing that important tune its algorithm has been missing: making your mutuals’ replies to your post appear first. This lets you connect well with them and keep the conversation on your reply thread more engaging.

Bier also said that the algorithm tweak will help people find common interests more easily, which people have apparently been asking for. X is likely hoping that the update could make exchanges on its platform less toxic and would lead to more meaningful conversations.

When you post now, replies from the people you follow and those that follow you back will appear first, and those you interact with often. Replies from strangers or people from another will now be placed at the far end. 

Users who have a definite interest or a number of them will also see more visibility on replies from people in that cluster.

For instance, an X user who engages with music content is likely to see more replies from people who are of the same interest. This further makes conversations under your post feel more like discussions among familiar friends than debates with strangers.

X is not the first to introduce such an algorithm. It’s similar to what platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn have previously integrated.