● Covered by 2 sources · 2 reportsMedium impact2 neutral
X Open-Sources Ranking Algorithm and Tests 'Shadowban' Transparency Tool
Key points
- X open-sourced its "For You" timeline algorithm and core ranking engine.
- The code is available on GitHub under the Apache v2 license.
- The release includes model configuration, filter, and ranking system details.
- X is testing a tool for users to check for "visibility-limiting labels."
- The tool provides data on how posts are treated by the algorithm.
Expanded Algorithm Transparency
X has made the source code for its "For You" timeline algorithm and core ranking engine publicly available on GitHub. This release, under the Apache v2 license, represents a significant expansion of X's open-source contributions, increasing the codebase size by an estimated 10 to 15 times.
The newly released code includes details on model configuration, filters, and the core ranking system. This provides insight into the parameters used to weight different signals, which determine how posts are displayed to users. Users can also run parts of the system independently.
New 'Shadowban' Transparency Tool
Alongside the algorithm release, X is testing a new tool designed to provide users with transparency regarding how their posts are treated by the platform's algorithm. This feature allows users to download a JSON file containing aggregate statistics about their account and posts.
The tool aims to show users if their account or specific posts have received "visibility-limiting labels," which could indicate a form of "shadowbanning." This feature is currently available to a small group of testers via an "under the hood" page in the app's settings.
Addressing User Concerns
The introduction of this transparency tool directly addresses long-standing user complaints about potential "shadowbans" affecting their reach on the service. X's VP of Product, Keith Coleman, stated that these changes offer an "unprecedented level of transparency into the X algorithm."
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
The daily brief
One email each morning: the day's tech stories, clustered across outlets and summarized. No account needed.
One email a day. Unsubscribe in one click, any time.
Today's brief
Spend a few minutes, get the whole day. Every topic's top stories in one hands-free rundown — listen, watch, or read the transcript.
▶ Play today's brief
New every morning, and the back catalogue is archived by date.
Primary sources
GitHub xai-org/x-algorithmHow outlets covered it
X is testing a new tool that allows users to see if their posts have received "visibility-limiting labels" from the platform's algorithm. This feature is rolling out as X open-sources additional parts of its ranking algorithm, providing more transparency into how content is treated.
X has open-sourced the code for its "For You" timeline algorithm and core ranking engine on GitHub under the Apache v2 license, significantly expanding its public codebase. This release includes parameters for weighting signals and allows users to run parts of the system independently. Additionally, X is rolling out a new transparency tool that enables users to download a JSON file of their aggregate stats, showing if their account or posts have been impacted by ranking systems.