Amid the backdrop of user speculation about “shadowbans” and the platform’s content limitations, the company is offering advice on how to avoid common mistakes when using hashtags and mentions in posts.
Clarity on Common Posting Errors
X’s recent recommendations aim to reduce confusion around the correct use of “@” symbols and hashtags. According to the platform, incorrect formatting—such as adding punctuation in hashtags or placing symbols after usernames—can hinder a post’s visibility. X has clarified that any post with a symbol inserted in the middle of a hashtag, like “#Awesome! Fun!”, will break the hashtag, and the post will only show under “#Awesome”. The company also warned that hashtags with only numbers, like “#123”, will not be searchable, while adding letters after the numbers, such as “#123Go”, ensures functionality.
Correcting Visibility Issues
X further clarified that many users experiencing visibility problems might not be facing a “shadowban” at all. Technical limitations, like the sheer volume of replies in a popular post, could affect whether a reply appears to everyone. The platform reassured users that posts and replies may still be visible in the original poster’s notifications, even if they are not immediately seen in-stream.
Building Trust and Transparency
Despite these explanations, concerns about censorship linger, especially among users who have witnessed past allegations of content suppression. Elon Musk, the owner of X, has previously suggested that Twitter (now X) may have been involved in limiting the reach of certain discussions. However, no concrete evidence has surfaced to substantiate these claims.
Addressing Speculation and Moderation Issues
X also faces speculation about its Community Notes system being manipulated by organized groups. While these concerns continue to circulate, the platform insists that such actions do not reflect intentional content suppression. Yet, with similar models being adopted by other tech giants like Meta, trust in social media moderation practices remains a hot-button issue.
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