A sharp question that gets to the heart of the platform’s priorities.
Short Answer: Yes, X historically deprioritises posts with external links in favour of content that keeps users on the platform, but this effect can be mitigated by your content strategy.
The key is to change how you format the posts that contain your links.
To counter the algorithm’s preference for on-platform content, you need to be strategic with your post formats. First, the most effective format is a two-post thread; you make the initial post a compelling text or visual hook without a link, then immediately place the external link in the first reply to your own post. Second, another common format involves creating a strong video or image post that directs users to the “link in bio”, which encourages profile visits that the algorithm views more favourably. Finally, if a link must be in the main body, embedding it within a native long-form text post is generally treated better than a standard post with a link preview card. Always avoid using obscure or untrustworthy link shortening services, as these are often flagged and can harm your account’s visibility.
Cheers,
Jeff.
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