Confusion around post visibility and engagement on X (formerly Twitter) continues to swirl, but the platform has now issued a set of practical tips to help users avoid common formatting mistakes that may impact reach. Amid claims of content suppression and algorithmic bias, these guidelines are designed to provide clarity on how hashtags and mentions should be properly used.

Recent guidance from X focuses on technical posting errors that may result in reduced visibility—such as incorrect placement of punctuation near @mentions or hashtags. For instance, placing a period or number directly after a username can misdirect the mention, while hashtags broken up by symbols like exclamation points will fail to register correctly in search.

The move appears to be a response to growing user concern over whether the platform is deliberately hiding content. Despite owner Elon Musk’s past assertions that Twitter’s previous regime suppressed certain voices, current evidence suggests most visibility issues stem from how posts are formatted, not from intentional censorship.

Technical limitations may also play a role. In heavily replied-to threads, X warns that it may not display every response due to capacity limits—though authors can typically still view replies in their Notifications tab.

While the company’s latest communication clarifies key issues, trust remains fragile. Musk’s historic accusations of ideological shadowbanning—and his role in amplifying user suspicion—have made it harder for the platform to shift the narrative. X users continue to speculate about reach manipulation, including rumors of organized groups removing Community Notes and alleged algorithmic retaliation against those critical of Musk.

Ultimately, X seems to be walking a fine line between educating users and defending its own credibility. By outlining specific formatting rules, the company is encouraging a more informed approach to posting—while also indirectly addressing the persistent “shadowban” discourse that has eroded user confidence.

Read the full article from Marketing Dive here.