X shows users a pointing hand urging them to promote posts, drawing confusion
Users of X have reported a hand or animated arm pointing at the "promote" button while composing posts. Reactions have been negative, and X hasn't explained it.
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The story, neutrally told
Centre · 1Users of X reported that a hand pointing to the "promote" button appeared while they were writing a post, according to TechCrunch. TechCrunchN “a growing number of users have posted that a mysterious hand pointing to the “promote” button suddenly showed up while they were writing a post” Read at TechCrunch ↗ Left · 1The Verge describes it as a jarring animated arm that reaches across the screen to draw attention to the "promote" button, and says it doesn't appear for everyone. The VergeLC “a jarring animated arm that reaches across the screen to draw attention to the “promote” button while users are composing a post”“it doesn’t appear for everyone on the platform” Read at The Verge ↗ Left · 1The Verge says the arm seems limited to verified users or those with a paid X Premium subscription. The VergeLC “The arm seems limited to verified users, or those with a paid subscription to X Premium.” Read at The Verge ↗
Left · 1Reactions have been negative: investor Sheel Mohnot said he "HATE[S] this screen takeover", and Jesse Middleton likened it to a Halloween prank. The VergeLC ““I’ve never promoted a post and HATE this screen takeover,” said Sheel Mohnot, while Jesse Middleton likened it to a Halloween prank.” Read at The Verge ↗ Centre · 1TechCrunch notes that X hasn't said whether the hand is a Halloween prank, and that it reached out to X for comment. TechCrunchN “it could be a prank meant to spook users, though X hasn’t said so”“We have reached out to X for a comment, and will update our story if we hear back.” Read at TechCrunch ↗ Centre · 1TBPN president Dylan Abruscato called the tactic the "most Nikita-coded thing I've ever seen", a reference to growth tactics associated with Nikita Bier, X's former head of product, who left in August. TechCrunchN “this engagement trick was the “most Nikita-coded thing I’ve ever seen,” a nod to the growth tactics associated with Nikita Bier”“Bier left the platform in August after almost a year at the helm.” Read at TechCrunch ↗
Centre · 1Peter Sellis posted on Monday that he has taken over as X's product chief, and TechCrunch says it is unclear whether the hand is his doing. TechCrunchN “Peter Sellis, posted that he has taken over as X’s product chief.”“It’s unclear if the hand is Sellis’s doing.” Read at TechCrunch ↗ Left · 1The Verge links the change to Elon Musk's warning earlier this month that advertisers posting "ugly, shrill, strident" ads would be barred from advertising on X. The VergeLC “After Elon Musk warned that “advertisers who post ads that are ugly, shrill, strident or overstate claims about their product will be barred from advertising” on X earlier this month” Read at The Verge ↗ Left · 1The paid promote feature extends a post's reach to a larger audience by location, interests or demographics, including non-followers, and promoted posts carry a "promoted" or "ad" label. The VergeLC “Posts that have been promoted look like other posts on X but are branded with a “promoted” or “ad” label.” Read at The Verge ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- The Verge presents it as a sign of how badly X wants revenue from promoted posts, setting it against Musk's own warning about ugly, shrill ads.
- Emphasis
- The contrast with Musk's statement, who sees the arm (verified or Premium users), and user reactions.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Doesn't mention the product leadership change or Nikita Bier.
- Charged language
- “jarring”“unsettling”“screen takeover”
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- TechCrunch treats it as an annoying, confusing interface nudge and speculates on who is behind it, tying it to X's product leadership change.
- Emphasis
- User irritation, the Halloween-prank possibility, Nikita Bier's growth tactics and Peter Sellis's new role.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Doesn't say the hand seems limited to verified or Premium users, or mention Musk's ad-quality warning.
- Charged language
- “travesty”“throw your phone in a river”
- For example
-
“Whose hand is behind this travesty?” — TechCrunch
“you want to throw your phone in a river” — TechCrunch
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- A hand or arm graphic points to X's "promote" button while users compose posts.
- Users have reacted negatively, and some compared it to a Halloween prank.
- X had not explained the change in the coverage.
Where accounts differ
-
Who sees the hand
- Left
- The Verge says it doesn't appear for everyone and seems limited to verified or X Premium users.
- Centre
- TechCrunch says a growing number of users have reported it, without specifying who.
Left1 article
-
This is how badly X wants you to pay to promote your posts
Critical Presents the animation as evidence of X's eagerness for ad revenue, set against Musk's own ad-quality warning.
Centre1 article
-
X is nudging users to promote their posts with a pointing hand, and people are confused
Critical Mocking, exasperated take on an intrusive nudge, with speculation about who is responsible.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 27 Oct 06:34 First TechCrunchN X is nudging users to promote their posts with a pointing hand, and people are confused
- 28 Oct 13:26 +30h 52m The VergeLC This is how badly X wants you to pay to promote your posts
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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