The Rise of Video on X
In a recent announcement, CEO Linda Yaccarino of X (formerly known as Twitter) revealed that the platform is becoming a video-first platform. With a significant increase in video views and overall video consumption, X is showing strong growth in video-centric content.
Video Views and Time Spent Watching
According to data shared by X, the platform has experienced a 35 percent year-on-year growth in video views. This indicates that the number of videos watched on the platform has increased by more than one-third since the previous financial year. Additionally, the total time spent watching videos on X has increased by 17 percent year-on-year.
The Importance of Video on X
CEO Linda Yaccarino reshared the data and emphasized that X is becoming a video-first platform. This shift towards video aligns with the vision of X’s owner, Elon Musk, who has emphasized the importance of video and introduced several video-centric features since taking over the company.
One of the notable video features introduced by X is audio and video calling for all users. This addition further enhances the video-centric nature of the platform and allows users to connect through video communication.
Elon Musk’s Video-Centric Approach
Elon Musk, as the owner of X, has been actively working towards creating a video-centric platform. In May 2023, Musk announced that X premium subscribers would be able to upload two-hour-long videos, enabling premium users to share longer video content. This update allows for more diverse and extensive video content on the platform.
In August, X rolled out support for live videos, bringing its capabilities in line with competitors such as Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. This addition allows users to broadcast live video content, further enhancing the interactive and real-time nature of the platform.
Musk has also focused on improving the video recommendation algorithm, ensuring that users are presented with relevant and engaging video content. Additionally, an infinite scroll feature was added to the Android and iOS apps, providing a seamless video-watching experience for users.
Expanding Beyond Video
While video is a significant focus for X, the platform is not solely dedicated to this medium. The company’s developers are working on bringing passkey support to the Android app, following its introduction to the iOS app earlier this year. This feature allows users to utilize biometric logins and other secure methods, reducing reliance on traditional passwords.
By expanding its features beyond video, X aims to provide a comprehensive and user-friendly experience for its users. With a focus on video and continuous updates and improvements, X is positioning itself as a leading video-first platform in the social media landscape.