X Enables Long-Form Posts via Third-Party Apps

August 14, 2024

X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, is pushing the boundaries of content creation by expanding its publishing options with a new API update. This update will allow external apps to facilitate post creation of up to 4,000 characters, a significant increase from the original 280-character limit. This move aligns with X's broader strategy of offering more robust content creation tools, as announced in February of last year.

Empowering Third-Party Apps with Extended Post Limits

With the new API update, third-party post creation and scheduling tools will now be able to support longer posts on X. This is a game-changer for content creators and brands who rely on external apps for managing their social media presence. The expanded post length will enable users to share more detailed and nuanced content directly on X, without having to split their messages across multiple posts.

This update is especially beneficial for X Premium subscribers, who are the only users currently able to create expanded posts. These longer posts appear in the X feed just like any other post, but with a “Show more” prompt at the end. When users tap on this prompt, the post expands to reveal the full content, offering a richer experience for both the creator and the audience.

Differentiating Between X's 4K Posts and X Articles

While the new API update allows for the creation of posts up to 4,000 characters, it’s important to note that this is different from X Articles. X Articles, which are exclusive to X Premium+ users, allow for posts up to 100,000 characters in length—equivalent to approximately 30,000 words. This is a substantial difference in content length, catering to users who want to publish long-form content directly on the platform.

As of now, X Articles are not available for creation via the X API, meaning third-party apps cannot yet facilitate the creation of these longer posts. However, this feature is reportedly in development, and when released, it will further extend the content creation possibilities on X.

Elon Musk’s Vision for the “Everything App”

The expansion of publishing options on X is part of Elon Musk’s broader vision for the platform, which he envisions as an “everything app.” This vision involves transforming X from a simple microblogging platform into a multifunctional app where users can undertake a wide range of activities, from posting content to making payments and managing finances.

Musk’s decision to rebrand Twitter as X was motivated by this vision. In his view, the name “Twitter” was too limiting for the ambitious future he envisions for the app. While the platform’s core functionality has not dramatically changed yet, the groundwork is being laid for a more comprehensive set of features that will include shopping, utilities payments, banking, and more.

Fostering In-Stream Content Creation on X

In tandem with these developments, X is also focusing on hosting more content directly on the platform. This has led to a reduction in the reach and presence of link posts, encouraging users to publish their content directly on X instead of linking to external sites. The new API update is another step in this direction, making it easier for people and brands to share long-form content directly within the X ecosystem.

Will Users Embrace Long-Form Posts on X?

The big question is whether users will embrace the ability to post up to 4,000 characters in a single post. While some X Premium users are already taking advantage of the expanded post length, it remains to be seen whether this will become a widely popular feature. The introduction of X Articles may have a more significant impact, as it allows for even longer content, such as full blog posts and articles, to be shared directly on the platform.