Fold X algorithm insights into social (and possibly copywriting/launch)

[coreyhaines31]

Context

xAI open-sourced the X (Twitter) algorithm at https://github.com/xai-org/x-algorithm. The release surfaces 10 concrete signals that should change how the social skill (and possibly copywriting) advises users writing for X.

Summary of the 10 rules (from the May 15 2026 algorithm report):

1. The hook is mechanical — open with a specific claim in the first 8 words, or X penalizes the post when people scroll past
2. Don't cluster posts — wait 60 minutes between original posts, or the second one gets shown to fewer people
3. Topic-anchor everything — name the topic in the first 10 words so X shows the post to people who follow that topic
4. Write for the share, not the like — DM-forwardable posts score higher than likable ones (private shares > likes)
5. Quote tweets count double — engagement counts on your post AND on clicks of the quoted tweet
6. Write for the follow, not the like — new follows score higher than likes
7. Profile clicks matter — every profile click boosts the post; write to make people curious enough to click through
8. Word choice = reach — name specific tools ("Claude", "Stripe") instead of vague nouns; muted keywords filter you out
9. Video has a minimum duration — at least 8 seconds + captions, or no video credit
10. Be on for the first 30 minutes — early replies/likes after posting boost reach; stay near the phone

Sources cited: Phoenix ranker + Grox content signals (inside xai-org/x-algorithm).

What to do

1. Read the actual repo (xai-org/x-algorithm) and pull primary-source claims rather than relying only on the summary above
2. Update social skill:
   • Add an "X-specific" section under platform guidance (alongside LinkedIn, etc.)
   • Or update references/platforms.md with X algorithm rules
   • Concrete additions: hook structure, posting cadence (60-min gap), topic-anchor in first 10 words, share-over-like framing, video minimums
3. Consider cross-skill ripple:
   • copywriting: the "hook in first 8 words / topic-anchor in first 10" pattern applies to other channels too
   • launch: launch-day cadence guidance for X
   • ad-creative: any of these signals apply to paid social on X?
4. Add evals for X-specific scenarios in social

References

• Repo: https://github.com/xai-org/x-algorithm
• 10-rule summary image (attached to the originating conversation)
• Signals: Phoenix ranker, Grox content signals (inside the repo)

Priority

Medium — this is the kind of insight that ages fast. Worth landing within 2–4 weeks while the algorithm release is still recent and accurate.

[jrbayguade]

aren't there so many about copy already?