Elon Musk wants everyone to switch to a chronological timeline on Twitter, which the tech billionaire calls a fix. In a tweet, the tech billionaire provided a step-by-step guide to help you fix your Twitter feed.Here's how you can fix your Twitter feed, according to Musk.
How to Fix Your Twitter Feed According to Elon Musk
If you don't like your Twitter feed, it's time to try Elon Musk's solution. Unlike the algorithmic-driven feed, which shows you what Twitter thinks you might be interested in, the chronological feed shows you the latest tweets from your feed.
You can fix your Twitter feed by following these steps on mobile as well as Twitter for Web:
- Open Twitter and select the Home tab.
- Tap the Sparkle icon in the top right corner.
- Select Switch to Latest Tweets. Twitter will immediately switch to the chronological feed. If you see Switch to Home, that means you're using a chronological feed already.
The change takes effect immediately, and you'll see the Twitter feed header renamed Latest Tweets. Although this option has been available for everyone for a long time, there are reasons why Twitter prefers to serve an algorithmic feed instead.
Why Musk Wants to Help Fix Your Twitter Feed
The main reason why Musk is advising you to use a chronological feed is that it puts control back in your hands. In Musk's words, "You are being manipulated by the algorithm in ways you don't realize," the prospective Twitter owner said.
He also added that while that is not to imply that Twitter's algorithm is malice in any way, it can "inadvertently manipulate/amplify your viewpoints" without your knowledge by trying to suggest what it thinks you will find interesting.
Thankfully, Twitter has an easier way to switch between the two. Like Twitter, you can also disable algorithmic feeds on Instagram and Facebook.
Switching to a chronological feed means you will no longer see algorithmic-driven content like viral tweets. Twitter will only serve you with tweets from people you follow and any tweets they retweet. A chronological feed is just one step. If you wish to declutter your Twitter feed, you can also use Twitter lists.
Musk's advice comes in the middle of acquiring Twitter after his $44 billion offer was accepted. Since his offer, Musk has been vocal about how he will improve the platform. Among other reasons, changing Twitter's policy to comply with the US legal definition of free speech has been one of the major suggested changes.
Social Media and Algorithmic Feeds
Social media companies thrive on algorithmic feeds. While these can prove beneficial in some instances, it's not always that way.
One of the potential downsides is they can lead to platform addiction. But they can also be annoying when they make you miss content from people you follow due to the preference for other suggestions. That's why it's good to take control of what you see by using a chronological feed whenever possible.