X Removes Headlines and Text Previews For Links

X/Twitter

X made a significant change to the format of links. Headlines and preview text are no longer displayed when users share links. Instead, only the header image with the domain overlaid on it is shown.

Why it Matters: X's decision to entirely remove headlines and link previews is questionable, especially as it seeks to attract brands, advertisers, and publishers who rely on the platform for traffic—previously one of its biggest value propositions. With link previews now identical to image posts, this valuable feature is lost. Additionally, distinguishing reliable sources from potentially unsafe ones becomes more challenging

As I previously noted, similar to YouTube's evolving linking policies, social media platforms will continue to adapt. Therefore, creators and marketers must remain flexible and innovative in guiding their audiences to desired destinations. For X, this might involve manually incorporating context to make it clear when sharing a link or focusing on native long-form content and shifting away from a primary focus on traffic generation.