X

1. What is X (formerly Twitter)?

Positioning: A global real-time information network and social media platform focused on short-form text, images, and video content, offering both public discourse and private communication capabilities.

Functional Panorama: Covers user profiles, personalized timelines, content creation (posts, replies, reposts), engagement mechanics (likes, bookmarks), direct messaging, themed communities, live audio/video spaces, trending topics, advanced search, advertising solutions, and subscription services.

2. X (formerly Twitter)’s Use Cases

• Individuals can share personal thoughts, follow real-time news, engage directly with public figures, and connect with friends and communities.
• Journalists and media outlets utilize X for breaking news dissemination, gathering immediate public reactions, and distributing articles and broadcasts.
• Businesses and brands leverage X for marketing campaigns, providing real-time customer support, building brand identity, announcing product launches, and fostering direct consumer engagement.
• Activists and social movements use X to organize campaigns, spread awareness about causes, and mobilize public support for events and initiatives.
• Developers can access X’s API for data analysis, building third-party applications, and integrating X functionalities into other platforms.

3. X (formerly Twitter)’s Key Features

• Posts (formerly tweets) – short text updates, allowing up to 280 characters for standard users and significantly more for Premium subscribers.
• Reposts (formerly retweets) & Quotes – amplify content across networks or add personal commentary to shared posts.
• Likes & Bookmarks – express appreciation for content and save posts for later reference.
• Direct Messages (DMs) – private one-on-one or group communication between users.
• Trending Topics – a dynamic display of real-time popular discussions and hashtags globally.
• Increased post character limit – expanded to 25,000 characters for Premium users.
• Creator Monetization – eligibility for ad revenue sharing based on engagement for Premium subscribers.
• Communities – dedicated spaces for focused discussions around specific interests or topics.
• Longer video uploads – ability for Premium users to upload videos up to 3 hours long.
• Users recommend improving search functionality to optimize discovering niche content and specific historical discussions.
• Users recommend more robust spam and bot detection mechanisms to optimize timeline quality and user experience.

4. How to Use X (formerly Twitter)?

• 1. Sign up for a new account or log in with your existing credentials.
• 2. Navigate to your personalized homepage or “For You” timeline to view content.
• 3. Click the “Post” button (often represented by a feather or ‘X’ icon) to compose a new message.
• 4. Type your message, add media (photos, videos, GIFs), and optionally include hashtags or tag other users.
• 5. Click “Post” to publish your content to your followers and the broader X network.
• Pro Tips: Typing @username directly mentions another user, notifying them of your post and making it visible on their mentions tab.
• Pro Tips: Typing #hashtag categorizes your post, making it discoverable by users following that specific topic or keyword.
• Pro Tips: Utilizing built-in poll features within your posts can significantly increase engagement by allowing your followers to vote on options.

5. X (formerly Twitter)’s Pricing & Access

• Free tier: Supports standard post creation, consumption of timelines, basic interactions (likes, reposts), and direct messaging functionalities.
• X Premium (formerly Twitter Blue): A subscription service offering enhanced features such as extended character limits, post editing capabilities, the undo post function, eligibility for ad revenue sharing, and a blue verification checkmark.
• X Premium+ (higher tier): Offers additional features like fewer ads and increased visibility for replies.
• X Gold for Organizations: A distinct verification tier for businesses and official entities, providing a gold checkmark and enabling their affiliated accounts to display square profile pictures and affiliate badges.
• Discounts for annual subscriptions to X Premium are often available compared to monthly billing.
• Occasional promotional offers may provide a reduced price for the first month or quarter for new Premium subscribers.
• X Premium unlocks crucial features like extended character limits for posts, the ability to upload longer videos, access to the edit button, and eligibility for creator monetization programs.
• X Gold provides enhanced organizational branding, clear affiliation badges for employees, and priority customer support tailored for business needs.

6. X (formerly Twitter)’s Comprehensive Advantages

• Real-time information dissemination on X is significantly faster than traditional news platforms, often breaking stories minutes or hours before mainstream media outlets.
• X provides unparalleled direct access to public figures, thought leaders, and influencers, fostering a level of immediate engagement less common on other social platforms.
• X stands as a leading platform for public discourse and breaking news, frequently cited as a primary source for real-time events and trending discussions.
• The platform demonstrates consistently high user engagement for live events, major announcements, and trending topics, solidifying its role as a global digital town square.