The platform now known as X is testing a redesigned method for how links behave inside posts. iOS users currently have access to this version. When someone opens a link from a post, the web page no longer takes over the entire screen. Instead, the post stays visible along the bottom edge while the chosen site loads within the same app window. This setup allows the reader to keep reacting to the post without switching back and forth. To check ongoing announcements or product updates, visit X’s official website.
How the Feature Functions
The change introduces an in-app viewing layer that lets users browse external pages without leaving the timeline. The original post remains anchored below the opened link so people can like, comment, or share while reading. It is meant to make navigation smoother and to keep more activity inside the same environment.
Goals Behind the Update
One major objective is to capture more accurate signs of interest. Posts containing links usually receive fewer reactions because readers move away from the app as soon as they click. Keeping everything visible on one screen helps record feedback in real time. Another reason is user retention: the company wants the app to serve as a single place for conversation, media, and news rather than sending people to other browsers.
Influence on Creators and Publishers
For accounts that often share outside material, this experiment could change how audiences respond. Because users remain within the app, posts that include links might see improved engagement levels. Still, performance will depend on how appealing the surrounding text is. Short summaries or clear explanations tend to draw more reactions than posts that contain only a link with no context.
Points to Consider
- Data interpretation: Engagement numbers inside the platform may rise, while direct visits to external websites could decline.
- Advertising impact: Longer on-app sessions may benefit ad placement but alter how referral traffic appears in analytics.
- User performance: The built-in browser must be quick and stable to avoid frustrating delays.
- Testing scope: The experiment is active only on iOS for now, and expansion to other devices has not yet been scheduled.
What Users May Notice
Opening links should feel less disruptive. Readers can explore articles or sites while still responding to the conversation that introduced them. The company will monitor how people use the feature and decide whether to make it available to everyone. If results show that activity within the app increases, this layout could eventually become the standard way X handles shared links.
