X Touts Better Looking Ad Formats, and Improved Targeting Systems

Posted on July 30, 2025
Source: Social Media Today – Latest News by Andrew Hutchinson. Read the original article

TL;DR Summary of X’s New In-Stream Ad Policies and Features

X has revamped its in-stream ads by banning most emojis and hashtags to create a cleaner, more visually appealing experience. These changes are driven largely by Elon Musk’s aesthetic preferences rather than clear performance data. Ads will now be assigned an aesthetic score that affects pricing, encouraging advertisers to conform or pay more. Additionally, AI-powered targeting and the integration of Grok aim to enhance ad effectiveness and transparency, though no concrete results have been shared yet.

Optimixed’s Overview: How X’s Ad Redesign Could Impact Advertisers and Engagement

Introduction to X’s New Ad Rules

X, formerly known as Twitter, has introduced a fresh approach to its paid promotions by banning most emojis and hashtags in ads. The platform emphasizes creating ads that “blend naturally” into user timelines, aiming for a more crisp, captivating, and resonant experience without unnecessary distractions.

Changes Driven by Aesthetic Preferences Over Data

  • Elon Musk has expressed strong opinions on the look and feel of in-stream content, labeling hashtags as an “esthetic nightmare” and pushing for a “cleaner” appearance by limiting emojis to one per ad.
  • Despite claims of improved ad performance, X has not released any supporting analytics or data demonstrating the impact of these changes on user engagement or conversion rates.
  • The new rules may reflect Musk’s personal vision rather than evidence-based advertising strategies.

New Pricing Model and Ad Quality Scoring

X will introduce an aesthetic score for each ad, which will influence its pricing. Advertisers are incentivized to design “premium” looking ads to optimize costs and reach, effectively penalizing ads that do not meet the platform’s visual standards.

Enhanced AI and Transparency Features

  • X claims to have upgraded its ad system with state-of-the-art machine learning to improve targeting precision and overall ad effectiveness.
  • The integration of Grok technology offers rapid generation of ad copy and creatives as well as actionable insights into campaign performance.
  • The upcoming extension of the “Explain this post” feature to ads is designed to increase transparency by allowing users to better understand and verify ad claims.

Conclusion: What Advertisers Should Consider

While the aesthetic improvements and AI enhancements sound promising, advertisers should be cautious due to the lack of published data confirming better outcomes. The new rules may require adjustments in creative strategy and budgeting, especially if your target audience remains active on X. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these changes will depend on real-world testing and user response.