Elon Musk has openly acknowledged that X (formerly Twitter) still requires “massive improvements,” just days after the company released a new version of its recommendation algorithm to the public. The admission comes as part of Musk’s ongoing push for transparency and rapid iteration since acquiring the platform.
Algorithm Open-Sourced in Transparency Push
The newly open-sourced algorithm, shared via a public code repository, is designed to show how posts are ranked, recommended, and surfaced on users’ timelines. According to Musk, making the algorithm public allows developers and researchers to better understand its mechanics, identify flaws, and propose enhancements.
Community Feedback Reveals Key Issues
Following the release, developers and users quickly began reviewing the code, pointing out inefficiencies, unclear weighting systems, and potential bias in content amplification. Musk responded to the early feedback by admitting that the system is far from perfect and welcoming external contributions.
Content Quality and Relevance Still a Challenge
One of the biggest criticisms of X’s recommendation system remains content relevance. Users frequently report seeing repetitive, low-quality, or engagement-driven posts rather than meaningful or timely content. Musk conceded that improving signal-to-noise ratio remains a top priority.
Performance and Scalability Concerns
Beyond content ranking, the open-source release also highlighted performance bottlenecks and scalability challenges. Experts noted that while the algorithm is functional, it requires optimization to handle X’s massive global user base more efficiently.
A Step Toward Collaborative Development
Despite the criticism, Musk framed the move as a long-term win for the platform. By inviting the open-source community to participate, X aims to accelerate innovation and rebuild trust with users skeptical of opaque social media algorithms.
What’s Next for X
Musk has indicated that multiple iterations of the algorithm are already in development. Future updates are expected to refine personalization, reduce spam, improve discovery of smaller creators, and enhance overall user experience.