Social media platform X will make its recommendation algorithm publicly available within seven days, according to its owner, Elon Musk, in what appears to be a major transparency push as the company faces growing regulatory pressure, particularly in Europe.
Musk announced the plan in a post on Saturday, saying the disclosure would include all code used to determine how both organic content and advertising posts are recommended to users on the platform. He added that the release would not be a one-off move, with X committing to publish updated versions of the algorithm every four weeks alongside detailed developer notes explaining changes over time.
“We will make the new X algorithm, including all code used to determine what organic and advertising posts are recommended to users, open source in 7 days,” Musk said.
According to Musk, opening the algorithm will allow the public, researchers and developers to better understand how content is ranked and distributed on X. He added that the combination of regular releases and comprehensive documentation is intended to improve clarity around how the platform’s systems evolve.
However, Musk did not outline the specific reasons behind the decision, leaving questions about the timing and broader intent of the move, especially as scrutiny of X’s content moderation and recommendation systems intensifies.
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X has come under increasing pressure from regulators over concerns about misinformation, content amplification and transparency. European authorities have been particularly active, following the introduction of stricter digital rules aimed at holding large online platforms accountable for the content they promote.
In July, French authorities formally requested that X share details of its algorithm as part of an investigation into alleged bias and manipulation on the platform. X declined to comply at the time, describing the probe as politically motivated.
Algorithms play a central role in shaping what users see on social media, influencing public discourse, advertising outcomes and the flow of information. By opening its recommendation code, X could ease regulatory concerns and set a precedent for greater transparency across the social media industry.
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For regulators and researchers, access to the algorithm could offer deeper insight into whether X’s systems amplify harmful or misleading content and how advertising is targeted. For users, it may provide greater visibility into how their feeds are curated.
