X Plans to Remove Headlines from Links to News Articles

(FILES) This photo illustration shows the X logo (formerly Twitter) on a smartphone screen in Los Angeles, California, on July 31, 2023. (Photo by Chris Delmas / AFP)
(FILES) This photo illustration shows the X logo (formerly Twitter) on a smartphone screen in Los Angeles, California, on July 31, 2023. (Photo by Chris Delmas / AFP)
TT

X Plans to Remove Headlines from Links to News Articles

(FILES) This photo illustration shows the X logo (formerly Twitter) on a smartphone screen in Los Angeles, California, on July 31, 2023. (Photo by Chris Delmas / AFP)
(FILES) This photo illustration shows the X logo (formerly Twitter) on a smartphone screen in Los Angeles, California, on July 31, 2023. (Photo by Chris Delmas / AFP)

Elon Musk is pushing to change how news links appear on his social media platform X, formerly called Twitter, in a move that could potentially undermine the ability of news publishers to draw audience.

X is planning to remove the headline and text while retaining just the lead image from links to news articles shared on the platform, Musk said in a post late on Monday.

Fortune had first reported the news on Monday, citing a source that the move was pushed directly by Musk.

The move is likely an attempt by Musk to get users to spend more time on X and push them to opt for the subscription service for more details.

It is not immediately clear how the move will impact advertisers on the platform that Musk claimed in July had 540 million monthly users.

Currently news links come up on the timeline of users as "cards" along with an image, source address and an abridged headline. Such packaging helps draw clicks and helps publishers gain readers.

But with the shortened links, users might end up writing some text along with their posts and eventually they could consider X's premium service that allows a single post of up to 25,000 characters.

With the changes, Musk is pitching X as a more relevant platform for content creators. Premium subscribers can now post longer videos, their posts are shown higher up and they also receive a cut of ad sales.



Thick Fog Disrupts Some Flights on One of the UK’s Busiest Weekends for Travel

 Pedestrians cross the Millennium Bridge as a red London bus passes over Blackfriars Bridge with Tower Bridge disappearing into the fog behind on the River Thames in London on December 27, 2024. (AFP)
Pedestrians cross the Millennium Bridge as a red London bus passes over Blackfriars Bridge with Tower Bridge disappearing into the fog behind on the River Thames in London on December 27, 2024. (AFP)
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Thick Fog Disrupts Some Flights on One of the UK’s Busiest Weekends for Travel

 Pedestrians cross the Millennium Bridge as a red London bus passes over Blackfriars Bridge with Tower Bridge disappearing into the fog behind on the River Thames in London on December 27, 2024. (AFP)
Pedestrians cross the Millennium Bridge as a red London bus passes over Blackfriars Bridge with Tower Bridge disappearing into the fog behind on the River Thames in London on December 27, 2024. (AFP)

Travelers flying to or from the UK faced further disruptions Saturday as thick fog and low visibility restricted air traffic on one of the year's busiest weekends.

Gatwick Airport in London warned that some flights may be delayed throughout Saturday and apologized for the inconvenience. Flights were delayed by up to three hours late Friday because of poor weather conditions, and at least 40 flights from the airport, mostly short haul to Europe, were delayed Saturday morning.

Heathrow Airport, one of Europe's busiest, also advised passengers to check with their airlines regarding potential delays.

The UK's weather forecasters, the Met Office, said thick fog patches could reduce visibility to just 100 meters (328 feet) in some areas across the country. It said travelers should allow “a little bit longer” for journeys and warned drivers to be extra careful.

Conditions are expected to improve Sunday, the Met Office said.

The country's main air traffic control organization said the restrictions would remain in place in areas with low visibility.

“Restrictions of this sort are only ever applied to maintain safety," it said. “Our teams are working closely with the airports and airlines to minimize disruption.”

The restrictions came at a busy time of year when many people travel following the Christmas holiday and ahead of the New Year.