X might nix engagement metrics from replies, leaving "Ratio" enthusiasts in shambles

In a move that’s sure to ruffle some feathers in the Twitterverse—oops, I mean X-verse—the platform formerly known as Twitter is reportedly considering a major change to how users view engagement metrics on replies. According to eagle-eyed users who’ve managed to peek behind the curtain of X’s latest iOS update, the social media giant might soon bid farewell to visible like counts, repost tallies, and comment numbers on replies to posts.

This potential update was first spotted by user @aaronp613, who activated a hidden feature flag in the X for iOS v10.53 release. The user shared a screenshot showcasing a cleaner, metric-free interface for replies, noting that while the information isn’t displayed outright, it can still be accessed with an extra tap. Here’s the screenshot for reference:

If implemented, this change could have far-reaching implications for how users interact with content on the platform. For one, it might spell the end of the beloved (or despised, depending on who you ask) “ratio” phenomenon. No longer will users be able to gleefully point out when a reply garners more likes than the original post at a glance. While checking out user reactions to the news, I noticed many reactions were hilariously pointed towards @greg16676935420, an account that has “ratioed” even President Biden on multiple occasions. 

On a more serious note, the move raises questions about transparency and the value of visible engagement metrics. Some users argue that these numbers provide valuable context, helping to gauge the popularity and credibility of responses. Others contend that hiding these metrics could lead to more genuine interactions, free from the influence of perceived popularity.

Critics of the potential change worry that it might make it harder to spot misinformation or controversial content quickly. After all, a high number of replies compared to likes often signals a contentious post. Without these visible cues, users might need to dig deeper to understand the full context of a conversation.

It’s worth noting that this feature is still in development and hasn’t been officially announced by X. As with any unreleased feature, there’s a chance it may never see the light of day or could undergo significant changes before a public rollout.

In the meantime, X users will have to wait and see if their beloved (or loathed) engagement metrics will indeed vanish from view. As someone who’s constantly on X, I hope Elon Musk sees the thousands of negative reactions to the potential change and drops the idea completely. For those unaware, Musk has even been considering removing engagement metric visibility from the feed too.