X, a social media platform with a growing user base, is set to roll out "Starterpacks" - a feature that allows new users to curate their own personalized compilations of accounts based on their interests. The move comes on the heels of similar features launched by other platforms, including Bluesky's popular tool.
In a recent announcement, X's head of product, Nikita Bier, revealed that his team scoured the globe to identify top posters in various niches and countries, before compiling them into curated lists. According to Bier, the goal is to provide new users with a starting point for discovering high-quality accounts across different areas of interest.
The new feature is notable not only for its similarity to Bluesky's "starter packs", but also for how it differs in terms of user agency. While Bluesky allows ordinary users to create and share their own lists, X takes a more hands-on approach, compiling pre-curated collections that are tailored to specific interests.
This isn't the first social media platform to launch its own take on the "starter packs" feature - Threads, which rolled out in late 2024, offers similar recommendations in users' feeds, while Mastodon introduced its version earlier this year. However, X's implementation is notable for its focus on user discovery and curation, providing a fresh spin on the concept.
In a recent announcement, X's head of product, Nikita Bier, revealed that his team scoured the globe to identify top posters in various niches and countries, before compiling them into curated lists. According to Bier, the goal is to provide new users with a starting point for discovering high-quality accounts across different areas of interest.
The new feature is notable not only for its similarity to Bluesky's "starter packs", but also for how it differs in terms of user agency. While Bluesky allows ordinary users to create and share their own lists, X takes a more hands-on approach, compiling pre-curated collections that are tailored to specific interests.
This isn't the first social media platform to launch its own take on the "starter packs" feature - Threads, which rolled out in late 2024, offers similar recommendations in users' feeds, while Mastodon introduced its version earlier this year. However, X's implementation is notable for its focus on user discovery and curation, providing a fresh spin on the concept.
. I mean, who needs personalized recommendations when you can have curated lists of accounts that might not even be super relevant? Don't get me wrong, I love a good discovery feed as much as the next person, but this just feels like another way for them to try and keep users engaged without actually giving us any real control over what we see. Plus, it's just so... curated 
. Can't we just have a feed that shows up whatever we want? 
... I mean, who even needs these "starter packs" when you can just browse through all the noise yourself? It's like they think we're too lazy or too clueless to figure out what's good on our own. And what's up with Nikita Bier and his team scouring the globe for top posters? Sounds like a bunch of marketing speak to me... "high-quality accounts" = corporate propaganda 
. Can't wait to see how they're going to monetize this feature, I'm sure it'll be a subscription-based thing or a treasure trove of ads 
...
. but at the same time, i'm not sure if it's entirely user-friendly... like, do we really want some algorithm deciding which accounts to include in our starterpacks? 
X's approach seems like a safe bet for new users, but I wonder if it stifles user agency and creativity. I mean, where's the fun in having curated starter packs when you can't even create your own? 
The question is, will this be seen as a positive move or a step back for user autonomy? 
i'm all for innovation, but sometimes less is more, right?
. Not because some algorithm says "Hey, you're into this thing, check out our handpicked list of people who are also into that thing".
. What if these curated lists just end up showing us people we already follow or accounts we've seen before? Where's the surprise factor in that? And what about when you want to explore something new outside of those curated lists? Do you get lost in a sea of recommendations trying to find something authentic?
. Maybe I'll give it a try, see how it goes 
like how they took the idea from bluesky but put their own twist with it, giving us users actual curated content to discover new faves 
its all about creating a community vibe, right? and i love that nikita bier said they scoured the globe for top posters, that's so cool! 
x is really stepping up their game this year
. I mean, who doesn’t love finding new accounts to follow? But at the same time, I wonder if it's too curated? Like, what if you're into, say, anime and manga, but they only curate accounts from Japan