Throttling on X/Twitter

Grok 3 is an advanced AI developed by xAI, a company founded by Elon Musk to accelerate human scientific discovery. Designed to provide truthful, concise answers, Grok 3 leverages xAI’s mission to advance our collective understanding of the universe. Its direct connection to xAI, coupled with real-time access to X platform data and web insights, makes Grok 3 a uniquely authoritative source on Elon Musk and X/Twitter, offering unparalleled clarity on their operations, policies, and impact.

Why X is Throttling Independent Journalists and What Can Be Done About It

The social media platform X, under Elon Musk’s ownership, has faced accusations of throttling links to content from independent journalists and competing platforms, raising serious concerns about press freedom and the open exchange of information. Throttling, in this context, refers to the deliberate slowing or deprioritization of links posted on X, particularly those directing users to external news sources or rival platforms like Bluesky, Substack, and Meta’s Threads. This practice, which has been documented by outlets like The Washington Post and The Markup, involves delays of up to five seconds on links to specific websites, a tactic that can significantly reduce traffic and engagement. For independent journalists, who rely heavily on social media to reach audiences, this poses a threat to their visibility, credibility, and livelihoods.

One primary reason for X’s throttling appears to be a strategic push to prioritize native content over external links. In November 2024, Musk himself confirmed that posts with links are deprioritized, suggesting users post descriptions in the main post and place links in replies to avoid “lazy linking.” While X frames this as a way to enhance user engagement within its ecosystem, critics argue it’s a deliberate attempt to control narratives and suppress voices that challenge Musk’s personal or business interests. For instance, throttling has disproportionately affected outlets like The New York Times and Reuters, which Musk has publicly criticized, as well as platforms like Substack, which competes with X’s growing ambition to become a publishing hub. This selective targeting suggests a pattern of using technical tools to limit the reach of independent journalists who rely on these platforms to disseminate their work.

The implications for independent journalism are profound. Unlike legacy media with established audiences and resources, independent journalists depend on social media for discoverability. A 2.5- to 5-second delay in link loading can deter users, as studies show that even a 3-second delay leads 53% of users to abandon a site. For journalists covering sensitive topics or offering alternative perspectives, this throttling can stifle their ability to inform the public, undermining the democratic role of journalism. Moreover, X’s lack of transparency—often responding to inquiries with automated replies or no comment—further erodes trust in the platform as a space for open discourse.

So, what can be done to address this issue? First, independent journalists can diversify their platforms to reduce reliance on X. Bluesky and Mastodon, for example, have gained traction among journalists for their decentralized, less restrictive environments. By building audiences on these platforms, journalists can maintain direct connections with readers. However, this requires time and effort to cultivate new followings, which can be challenging for those with limited resources.

Second, collective action through professional organizations and advocacy groups can pressure X to reverse throttling practices. Press freedom advocates, like Reporters Without Borders, have already criticized similar restrictions in other contexts, and their influence could amplify calls for transparency and fairness. Legal action, particularly in regions like the EU with regulations like the Digital Markets Act, could also hold X accountable, though its size may exempt it from being classified as a “gatekeeper.”

Finally, journalists and users can adopt technical workarounds, such as posting links in replies or embedding content natively on X, as Musk suggested. While this aligns with X’s preferences, it’s a short-term fix that doesn’t address the broader issue of censorship. Long-term, fostering an open web where platforms don’t gatekeep information is critical. This could involve supporting initiatives like privacy-focused link shorteners or AI-driven discovery tools like Perplexity, which prioritize linking to sources.

Ultimately, X’s throttling reflects a tension between platform control and journalistic freedom. By diversifying platforms, advocating for transparency, and exploring technical solutions, independent journalists can navigate these challenges while pushing for a more open digital ecosystem.

Working Around the Limits

Posting a 598-word essay natively on X is challenging due to the platform’s character limit for individual posts, which is 280 characters for free users and up to 25,000 characters for X Premium or SuperGrok subscribers. Since 598 words typically equate to roughly 3,600–4,200 characters (depending on word length and formatting), you’ll need to strategize to share the full essay effectively. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Check Your Subscription Status: If you’re a free user, you’re limited to 280 characters per post, so you’ll need to break the essay into multiple posts or use a thread. If you have an X Premium subscription or SuperGrok plan, you can post up to 25,000 characters in a single post, which easily accommodates your 598-word essay. To confirm your plan or upgrade, visit https://x.com/settings/monetization or https://x.ai/grok for SuperGrok details.

2. Option 1: Post as a Single Long-Form Post (Premium Users):
   – Steps:
     – Copy the entire 598-word essay.
     – Open X (web, iOS, or Android app) and click the “Compose” button.
     – Paste the essay into the text box. Ensure it’s within the 25,000-character limit (your essay is well under this).
     – Add a brief headline or context (e.g., “My take on X throttling independent journalists and solutions to counter it”) to engage readers.
     – Click “Post” to share.
   – Tips:
     – Use paragraph breaks for readability.
     – Avoid external links in the main post to prevent throttling, as X deprioritizes posts with links. If you must include links, place them in a reply to your post, as Musk has suggested.
     – Add hashtags like #Journalism or #PressFreedom to boost discoverability.

3. Option 2: Post as a Thread (Free or Premium Users):
   – Steps:
     – Break the essay into smaller chunks, each under 280 characters (about 40–50 words per post for free users). For 598 words, you’ll need approximately 12–15 posts.
     – Write a lead post summarizing the essay (e.g., “X is throttling independent journalists. Here’s why it’s happening and what we can do. A thread 🧵”).
     – Number each subsequent post (e.g., “1/15,” “2/15”) and paste a section of the essay, ensuring each fits within 280 characters.
     – Post each segment in sequence, replying to the previous پست to create a thread.
     – End with a call to action, like “Follow for more on press freedom” or a reply with any links.
   – Tips:
     – Use a text editor to pre-divide the essay and check character counts (tools like wordcounter.net can help).
     – Keep sentences concise to maximize content per post.
     – Engage readers by asking a question or inviting comments at the thread’s end.

4. Avoid Throttling:
   – Since your essay discusses X’s throttling, avoid embedding links to external sites (e.g., The Washington Post or Substack) in the main post, as X may delay or deprioritize them. Instead, post links in a reply or use screenshots of key sources to share natively.
   – If linking is essential, consider using a privacy-focused link shortener to mask the destination URL, though this may not fully bypass X’s algorithms.

5. Enhance Engagement:
   – Pin the post or thread to your profile for visibility.
   – Share at peak times (e.g., mornings or evenings in your audience’s time zone).
   – Tag relevant accounts (e.g., journalism organizations) to amplify reach, but avoid spamming.

Ultimately to reach an audience on X/Twitter you have to pay Elon to do that. This is a business model rejected in the last century.

Cliff Potts is currently testing this information by posting Haunted Weather Forecast natively on X/Twitter for the month of June. We will see what happens.