X Limits Creator Payments to Combat Clickbait and News Aggregation

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 02:09:00 +0200

X, formerly known as Twitter, is implementing changes to its creator payment program, specifically targeting accounts that heavily rely on clickbait tactics and news aggregation. The platform's head, Nikita Bier, acknowledged the issue, stating the changes aim to reduce the incentive for accounts to publish sensationalized content and essentially scrape news from other sources. This decision follows growing concerns about the dominance of right-leaning accounts on the platform and a decline in organic traffic to external websites, as reported by X user Sam Altman. Elon Musk responded to data shared by Sam Altman, dismissing it as “bullshit,” though independent analyses appear to corroborate Altman’s findings. The modifications come amidst ongoing debate surrounding X's ecosystem and its impact on content distribution and website traffic. Creators who utilize clickbait and aggregation tactics can expect reduced payments, though the precise implications are still unfolding. This move is