In a recent update on X, formerly known as Twitter, the platform is reintroducing headlines to URL cards, bringing a new dimension to the user experience. News Editor Jay Peters reports on this change, highlighting the improvements and lingering quirks.
After a phase where X removed headlines from URL cards, the latest alteration sees their return. However, it comes with a twist – headlines and website titles now overlay the images that serve as links. This modification is aimed at providing users with clearer context before clicking on a link.
While this is a positive step forward, some peculiarities persist. Notably, longer headlines or titles may be truncated with an ellipsis, and the text size remains relatively small. Nevertheless, this marks an improvement from the previous system where images only displayed the domain of the linked website.
The decision to cease showing headlines on X was made last year by owner Elon Musk, who believed it enhanced the visual appeal of posts. Although it did reduce the size of posts, it presented challenges in understanding where a linked image would redirect users.
This led to workarounds, such as manually adding headlines to images or incorporating them into the text of a post.
Elon Musk assured users in November that headlines would make a comeback over URL cards in an “upcoming release,” and the change appears to be gradually rolling out. While not yet visible on the iOS app, the expectation is that it will be implemented soon.
On Android, the headline functionality remains unchanged, appearing beneath the image, leaving uncertainty about when or if this alteration will extend to the Android platform. Stay tuned for further updates on X’s evolving interface and user experience.
