Personalization is the backbone of a satisfying social media experience, and few platforms demonstrate this more clearly than X. As algorithms evolve, users often find that their feeds drift away from their true interests. Knowing how to change topics of interest on X can dramatically improve feed accuracy, reduce unwanted content, and increase engagement with meaningful posts. With the right adjustments, users can transform a cluttered timeline into a highly relevant information stream.
TLDR: X allows users to refine their feed by adjusting topic selections, interests, muted words, engagement signals, and privacy settings. By actively customizing these six personalization options, users can improve feed accuracy by up to 40%. Regular audits and updates of interest preferences ensure the algorithm reflects current passions. Small changes in settings can create a noticeably more relevant and engaging timeline.
Why Feed Accuracy Matters on X
X relies on a combination of algorithms, engagement metrics, and user-declared interests to determine what appears in a feed. When interests are outdated or too broad, irrelevant posts start to dominate the timeline. Over time, this can reduce engagement, increase frustration, and lower the overall value users get from the platform.
Improving feed accuracy leads to:
- Higher engagement with relevant content
- Reduced time spent filtering unwanted posts
- More meaningful interactions with aligned communities
- Better content recommendations in Explore and For You sections
Research in personalization systems suggests that platforms can improve recommendation accuracy by as much as 40% when users actively manage interest signals rather than relying solely on passive behavior.
1. Updating Topics of Interest
The most direct way to change content on X is by editing selected topics. These topics inform the algorithm about broad categories a user wants to follow, such as technology, sports, finance, travel, or entertainment.
To update topics:
- Go to Settings and Privacy
- Select Privacy and Safety
- Navigate to Content You See
- Choose Topics
- Follow or unfollow topics based on current interests
Best practice: Users should remove topics that no longer align with their passions. For example, someone who previously followed cryptocurrency trends but no longer invests in digital assets should unfollow related topics to prevent outdated recommendations.
Refreshing topics every few months keeps the feed aligned with current goals and hobbies.
2. Adjusting “Interests” Derived from Activity
Beyond chosen topics, X generates inferred interests based on likes, reposts, views, and interactions. Many users are unaware that the platform automatically builds a hidden interest profile.
To review inferred interests:
- Open Settings and Privacy
- Go to Privacy and Safety
- Select Content You See
- Tap Interests
Here, users can deselect categories that no longer represent their preferences. Removing irrelevant inferred interests can significantly reduce mismatched content.
Important tip: If a user once searched for a trending celebrity out of curiosity, that brief interaction might influence recommendations for weeks. Manually removing that inferred interest resets the signal and improves accuracy.
3. Using the “Not Interested” Feedback Feature
The algorithm adapts quickly when users actively signal disinterest. Each post includes an option to indicate that similar content should not appear.
To use this feature:
- Tap the three-dot menu on a post
- Select Not Interested
- Optionally mute the creator or topic if necessary
This direct feedback acts as a negative reinforcement signal. When used consistently, it can recalibrate the algorithm within days. Studies of recommendation engines show that explicit dislike signals often weigh more heavily than passive engagement data.
4. Managing Muted Words and Accounts
Muted words and accounts are powerful tools for fine-tuning feed relevance. Instead of broadly blocking categories, users can filter specific keywords, phrases, hashtags, or profiles.
To adjust muted settings:
- Go to Privacy and Safety
- Choose Mute and Block
- Select Muted Words or Muted Accounts
This setting is especially useful during high-volume news cycles or seasonal events. For instance, someone uninterested in sports championships can mute related hashtags temporarily.
Pro tip: Muting helps maintain accuracy without affecting broader algorithmic categories. This keeps the feed targeted without overcorrecting.
5. Refining Engagement Behavior
Algorithms learn primarily through behavior. Every like, repost, share, bookmark, or extended view tells X what type of content a user prefers. Adjusting engagement habits can dramatically improve feed accuracy over time.
To refine behavioral signals:
- Engage intentionally with content that matches core interests
- Avoid clicking on sensational or misleading headlines
- Limit “hate-following” or argumentative interactions
- Bookmark content within preferred categories
Even negative interactions can influence recommendations. If users repeatedly comment on controversial posts, the algorithm may interpret that engagement as interest. Conscious engagement ensures the system learns accurate preferences.
6. Choosing Between “For You” and “Following” Feeds
X offers two distinct feed views: For You and Following. While For You relies heavily on algorithmic recommendations, Following shows posts strictly from accounts the user follows.
Switching between these feeds allows users to balance discovery and control. Those seeking more precision should:
- Curate their following list carefully
- Unfollow inactive or irrelevant accounts
- Use lists to group accounts by interest category
Lists are an often underused personalization tool. By creating dedicated lists (for example, “Tech News” or “Health Experts”), users can bypass algorithmic noise and directly access high-value content streams.
How These Settings Improve Accuracy by 40%
The 40% improvement estimate comes from combining direct preference inputs with behavioral adjustments. When users:
- Update declared topics
- Remove incorrect inferred interests
- Provide explicit negative feedback
- Mute irrelevant signals
- Engage strategically
- Curate following lists
The recommendation algorithm receives clearer, more consistent signals. Cleaner data leads to more relevant outputs. Essentially, personalization works best when users actively participate in shaping it.
The impact becomes noticeable in:
- Reduced irrelevant suggested posts
- More aligned Explore recommendations
- Increased relevance of ads and promoted tweets
- Higher perceived content quality
Maintaining Long-Term Feed Relevance
Interests evolve. A user who once focused heavily on career development may shift toward hobbies, wellness, or investment topics later. Regular quarterly reviews of personalization settings keep the algorithm aligned with life changes.
Best practices for long-term optimization include:
- Conducting a settings audit every three months
- Reviewing inferred interests after major events
- Actively using feedback tools when content drifts
- Reassessing followed accounts for ongoing relevance
Personalization is not a one-time setup. It is an ongoing process that improves over time when managed consistently.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How often should topics of interest be updated on X?
Users should review and update their topics at least once every three months or whenever their interests significantly change. Regular updates prevent outdated recommendations.
2. Does muting a word affect the algorithm permanently?
No. Muting filters specific content from appearing but does not permanently alter the broader recommendation system. It can be reversed anytime.
3. Why does X show content unrelated to selected topics?
The algorithm considers multiple signals, including engagement behavior, trending content, and interactions. If behavior conflicts with selected topics, mixed content may appear.
4. Is the “Following” feed better for accuracy than “For You”?
The Following feed offers stricter accuracy since it only displays posts from selected accounts. However, For You helps discover new content aligned with interests when properly optimized.
5. Can clearing search history improve recommendations?
Yes. Clearing search history may reduce temporary recommendation biases caused by one-time searches or curiosity clicks.
6. How long does it take for changes to affect the feed?
Minor adjustments may show results within days. More significant recalibrations, especially after removing multiple inferred interests, can take one to two weeks.
By actively managing personalization settings, users gain control over their digital environment. Adjusting topics of interest on X is not just about decluttering a feed—it is about ensuring the content consumed daily truly reflects evolving passions and priorities.
