November 2025
Usability Study, UX Research
A usability study evaluating how users perceive X (formerly Twitter) after major shifts in feed algorithms and verification. Findings revealed low trust, high cognitive load, and a strong shift away from the 'For You' feed toward Trending and Following.
This usability study explored how users perceive X (formerly Twitter) after major product shifts, including algorithmic feed changes, monetized verification, and creator monetization. The goal was to understand how these changes impact trust, satisfaction, and information processing while browsing the platform.
I conducted moderated think-aloud usability sessions to evaluate user behaviour across the For You, Following, and Trending feeds, with particular attention to credibility cues (blue tick), emotional responses, and cognitive load.
Since its launch in 2006, Twitter has been a real-time layer for news and public conversation. Between 2022–2024, the platform was rebranded to X and several core systems were re-engineered:
Verification shifted from identity-based blue tick to paid subscription
A TikTok-style For You feed blended recommended, trending, ad and reply content
Creator payouts became more engagement-heavy, incentivizing reply farming and sensational content
From a usability and interaction design perspective, this raised key questions:
How do these changes impact perceived credibility of content and accounts?
What does this do to user satisfaction, emotional state, and cognitive load?
Do users trust the blue tick anymore?
How do they adapt their navigation patterns across For You, Following and Trending?
