X open-sources its ranking algorithm, lets users check impacts

X is a social media app where people post short messages and see a feed of posts from others.

The app uses a computer program, called an algorithm, to decide which posts appear in your feed.

X has now shared the code for that program with everyone on a website called GitHub.

This means people can look at how the 'For You' feed decides what to show you.

X also added a new tool inside the app called 'Under the Hood.'

If you posted at least 10 times in the past month, you can download a file that shows how the ranking system treated your account.

X shared the code with outside researchers, who were able to run its scoring system called Phoenix.

Not everything was shared: X kept hidden the parts that use a robot called Grok to predict if a post breaks the rules.

X says it hid those parts so people cannot trick the system and fill the app with spam.

Some people still worry about how these algorithms affect elections and misinformation.