Big news on the horizon for those of us using X (formerly Twitter) to generate revenue. X is shaking things up with their payment algorithm, and the changes are pretty significant. If you’ve been relying on the old model of ad impressions, brace yourself because things are about to get interesting.
The New Payment Algorithm
So, what’s changing? Instead of revenue being based on a share of ad impressions across your posts, it will now be determined by engagement from ‘Premium Users’, people who are subscribed to X Premium. This shift means your earnings will depend heavily on who is engaging with your content, not just how many people are engaging.
The Impact on Different Communities
This new model could have some pretty varied results, depending on the type of audience you attract. If you’re part of a community that naturally has a high percentage of Premium Users (think tech, finance, or other high-engagement, affluent niches), you might actually see a nice boost in your revenue. Premium Users tend to engage more deeply, and that could translate into more money in your pocket.
On the flip side, if your community isn’t filled with Premium Users, like meme-heavy or pop culture spaces, you could see your income take a hit. The days of racking up tons of impressions from non-paying users and still getting paid are probably numbered.
What Does This Mean for Meme and Clickbait Content?
If your content strategy revolves around posting low-effort, engagement-bait style memes that attract tons of likes from non-premium users, it’s time to rethink things. With this change, you can expect your revenue to plummet. X is making a clear move to reward quality engagement, not just viral content that gets clicks but doesn’t add much value.
Honestly, I’m not mad about this. It’ll be nice to see less junk clogging up the feed. But at the same time, I feel for those who are posting genuine, high-quality content in spaces where Premium Users aren’t as common. These creators could get the short end of the stick, even though they’re contributing meaningful content.
This new algorithm will definitely change the game. Whether you see it as a positive or a negative really depends on the kind of content you create and the audience you attract. My advice? Keep an eye on how this impacts your revenue and be ready to adjust your strategy if necessary. It’s a whole new landscape, and the creators who can adapt will be the ones who thrive.
Stay tuned for more updates as we see how this change plays out.