Social Network X Hides Likers on Posts

On June 12, social network X announced that users' posts will still show the number of likes but will not allow users to see who "liked" the content, except the author of the post. This move is said by Elon Musk to protect privacy.

X hides posts you "like" from other users

Following the announcement, Elon Musk shared on X: "Important change: your likes are now private."

The new tweaks are part of a series of changes Musk and the X team have made since the social network was acquired in 2022. Most recently, last week the platform also introduced a policy that allows for moderated adult content after years of taking a more hands-off approach.

According to the Washington Post, X no longer allowing users to see who has liked certain content is "the end of an era." On most social networks today, users can see who has liked what content.

X, formerly Twitter, isn't the only social network clamping down on engagement. Starting in 2021, Instagram began allowing users to hide the number of likes on posts to "reduce social pressure," but still allows users to see who has interacted with their content by tapping on the Liked section.

With YouTube, Google's platform is opting to hide the number of "dislikes" on videos in 2021 to protect smaller creators from harassment campaigns.

Why did X make the change?

People, especially those in prominent roles, have long been scrutinized for the posts they like. 'It's important to allow people to like posts without being attacked for doing so!' Musk posted on June 11 in response to a Verge article reporting the impending change.

Since acquiring X, Musk has promoted his commitment to free speech and spoken out against 'censorship that goes beyond the law.' Last week, X clarified its current policy of allowing pornography and other adult content on the platform, with some restrictions for children and adult users who choose not to view such content.

Musk himself has been criticized in the past for engaging in and amplifying controversial content. In November 2023, he tweeted his support for an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory, sparking backlash on X and other platforms. In June 2023, during National Pride Month, Elon Musk shared and liked anti-transgender content after receiving criticism from LGBTQ advocates for allowing users on X to use incorrect pronouns.

This change could increase engagement if users are more willing to like posts knowing that their expressions of support are private — or at least semi-private, since the original poster can see them.

What exactly is changing?

Users can no longer see a list of posts that user has liked on other users' profiles.

Previously, only paid premium users could make their likes private. When X added that ability as a premium feature in September, it announced that paid subscribers could 'keep interesting likes private' by hiding them from others.

The change affects all users, whether they're paying or not. If a user tries to view another user's likes, they'll get a message that says "Nothing to see here yet." There's no way to unhide likes. Users will still be able to see who reposted, quoted, or commented on another user's posts.

Social Network X Officially Allows Posting of Adult Content

Billionaire Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter) has officially updated its new terms, officially allowing adult content to be posted on the platform.

Previously, Twitter-X did not have clear rules on whether users were allowed or prohibited to post adult content. Posts could be posted or removed at the discretion of the administrator. Especially since Elon Musk took over, such content has appeared more frequently.

With the new rules, Twitter-X has officially allowed users to post content that is "Not Suitable For Work" (NSFW).

Twitter-X's updated guidelines say, " We believe in mature users being able to autonomously engage in and create content that reflects their own beliefs, desires, and experiences, including content related to sexuality . "

X also claims to have measures in place to block users under 18 and users who do not wish to view adult content from these posts.

All adult content posted on Twitter-X must be labeled on the account that posted it so that the platform's filters can alert viewers. This includes adult content generated by artificial intelligence (AI).

Violent content, including speech, audio, or images that incite or express a desire to harm others, is also subject to similar regulations.

X's new rules come as pressure from regulators around the world grows over children's access to inappropriate content on social media.

What else did Elon Musk change about X?

After acquiring X, Musk laid off about 6,000 employees, or about 80% of his workforce, including content moderators responsible for stamping out misinformation and other forms of abusive content.

Musk has also made changes to diversify X's revenue beyond advertising, primarily by charging for some features through subscriptions. That includes verification badges — blue checkmarks previously reserved for high-profile and public users — now available to anyone willing to pay.

Lesley Montoya

Update 02 February 2025