Twitter’s Circles feature is on its way out, with a “deprecated” status slated for the end of next month. This change will substantially alter how content sharing occurs on the platform.
By October 31, 2023, Twitter/X users will lose the option to restrict their posts to select “friends” within personalized circles. Furthermore, the ability to add new users to these circles will cease. Going forward, all Twitter/X posts, whether they are professional announcements or personal musings, will be open to followers and the general public alike.
While users can still make their entire Twitter/X profiles private to prevent random individuals from accessing and engaging with their posts, the option to filter which specific followers can view particular posts will no longer be available.
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Implications for X (Twitter) Circle Users
The future of existing Circle posts remains uncertain. Ideally, these posts will remain confined to their originally intended audience. However, concerns linger about the possibility of these posts going public, potentially exposing personal thoughts, media, and private conversations to a wider audience, including employers and the general public.
Twitter’s decision to eliminate the Circles feature could signal a shift toward a more open and public-oriented platform, where users’ content defaults to being accessible to a broader audience. However, it may also raise concerns among users who value the privacy and exclusivity that Circles provides.
Read Also: Elon Musk Intends to Charge Everyone for Using X
Musk’s Impact on Twitter/X
Since Elon Musk took over and rebranded Twitter as X, he has introduced a series of new features and changes aimed at monetizing the platform and aligning it with his commitment to free speech and total freedom of expression.
In July, Musk acknowledged the company’s financial challenges, citing a significant drop in advertising revenue and heavy debt. He emphasized the need to achieve positive cash flow.
Recently, the company has been moving toward launching three innovative features: Custom Likes, Hashmoji, and Hashfetti, designed to transform how brands and advertisers engage with their audiences. These tools align with X’s strategy of enhancing interactions, fostering engagement, and stimulating conversations.
Most recently, Musk revealed plans to introduce a paywall for all users. During a live stream with Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, Musk explained that this move aims to combat the proliferation of bots on the platform.
Musk believes that by implementing a payment system and giving priority to premium users’ posts, X can reduce the influence of automated accounts and enhance the overall quality of interactions on the platform.
