X's Algorithm Lets 7% of Interactions — Replies — Drive Its Feed Ranking, PNAS Study Finds

A PNAS study (DOI 10.1073/pnas.2610388123) following 715 U.S. X users found X's For You feed systematically amplifies content contradicting users' self-reported values. Stanford's Ziv Epstein notes replies are weighted far more heavily than likes, despite accounting for under seven percent of platform interactions. A minority behavior tied to conflict thus exerts outsized influence on what the algorithm promotes to everyone.