X, formerly Twitter, is a public conversation and microblogging platform. Users post short messages — text, images, video, polls and links — to a public timeline, and follow accounts whose posts they want to see. The service was renamed from Twitter to X in 2023.
The timeline is the centre of the product. You can view posts from accounts you follow in reverse-chronological order, or an algorithmic feed mixing in recommended content. Posts can be replied to, reposted, quoted with a comment, liked and bookmarked, and threads let a longer argument run across several linked posts.
Beyond the timeline the platform carries direct messaging, Communities for topic-based groups, Spaces for live audio conversations, and live video. Lists let you group accounts into separate feeds, which is the most practical way to keep a busy follow list readable.
The service is free with advertising. A paid subscription adds a longer post limit, post editing, reduced advertising, longer video uploads and a verification badge, and gives posts increased visibility in replies and search.
X runs in any web browser and as applications for Windows, Android and iOS. An account is required to post; public posts can be read without one, though the browsing experience is limited.
