How to Finally Dive into the World of X (Formerly Twitter): A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re ready to join the conversation on what was formerly known as Twitter, now X? Excellent choice! Think of it as stepping into a bustling global town square where news breaks, memes are born, and ideas clash and coalesce. “Subscribing” to X, or more accurately, creating an account, is surprisingly simple. Here’s the breakdown:

1. Head to the Source: Open your web browser and navigate to x.com (formerly twitter.com). Alternatively, download the X mobile app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).

2. Choose Your Path: You’ll see options to Sign up with Google, Sign up with Apple, or Create Account. Select the option that suits you best. Using Google or Apple can streamline the process, but creating an account directly on X gives you more granular control.

3. Fill Out the Form: If you choose “Create Account,” you’ll be prompted to enter your name, phone number or email address, and date of birth. Remember, X has age restrictions, so ensure your birthdate is accurate. Your date of birth won’t be public.

4. Customize Your Experience: X allows you to customize your experience right from the start. You can choose whether you want to see personalized ads based on your interests, and you can allow X to track where you see X content across the web. You can change these settings later.

5. Verification Time: X will send a verification code to your phone number or email address. Enter this code to confirm your identity. This is a crucial security step.

6. Set a Strong Password: Choose a strong, unique password that you don’t use for other accounts. A combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols is highly recommended.

7. Choose a Username (Handle): This is your unique identifier on X, also known as your handle. It starts with the “@” symbol (e.g., @YourName). Choose something memorable, relevant, and available. X will suggest alternatives if your desired handle is already taken.

8. Profile Picture (Optional but Recommended): Upload a profile picture that represents you. This could be a photo of yourself, your logo, or an avatar. It helps people recognize and connect with you.

9. Bio (Optional but Recommended): Write a brief bio describing yourself or your interests. This is your chance to tell people who you are and what you tweet about. Keep it concise and engaging.

10. Follow Suggestions: X will suggest accounts for you to follow based on your interests and the information you’ve provided. Choose accounts that align with your interests to populate your feed with relevant content.

11. Explore and Engage: Congratulations, you’re now an X user! Explore the platform, search for topics that interest you, and start engaging with tweets.

12. Turn on Notifications: Go to the setting and enable Notifications. Now you’ll receive a notification to your phone when someone retweets, likes, or mentions your posts.

That’s it! You’ve successfully “subscribed” to X. Now, let’s delve into some frequently asked questions to ensure you have a smooth and informed experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is X (Twitter) free to use?

Yes, creating an X account and using the basic features is free. X generates revenue through advertising and premium subscriptions (X Premium). However, you can access the core functionality without paying anything.

2. Can I use X without an account?

No. You must create an account to actively use X. You cannot view timelines, post tweets, or interact with other users without being logged into an account. You can view some X posts embedded on other websites.

3. What are the age restrictions for using X?

To use X, you generally need to be at least 13 years old. Depending on your region, there might be different age restrictions related to data privacy and consent.

4. How can I find people to follow on X?

X provides several ways to find people to follow:

• Search: Use the search bar to look for users, keywords, or hashtags related to your interests.
• Suggestions: X provides personalized suggestions based on your activity and profile.
• Explore Tab: The Explore tab showcases trending topics, news, and events.
• Mutual Followers: Check who your existing followers are following to discover new accounts.
• Lists: Explore publicly available lists curated by other users.

5. What is X Premium (formerly Twitter Blue)?

X Premium is a paid subscription that unlocks additional features, such as:

• Edit Tweets: Edit your tweets after posting.
• Undo Tweets: A short window to undo a tweet before it goes live.
• Longer Tweets: Post longer tweets than the standard character limit (extended from 280 characters).
• Prioritized Rankings in Conversations and Search: Your tweets are seen more by other users.
• Ad Reduction: See fewer ads in your timeline.
• Blue Checkmark: The coveted blue checkmark for verification.

6. How do I change my username (handle) on X?

You can change your username in your account settings:

1. Go to your Profile settings.
2. Select Account Information.
3. Choose Username.
4. Enter your new desired username and save the changes. Make sure the username isn’t already taken.

7. How do I protect my X account from hackers?

Security is paramount. Here are some tips:

• Strong Password: Use a strong, unique password.
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA for an extra layer of security.
• Be Wary of Phishing: Don’t click on suspicious links or share personal information.
• Review Third-Party Apps: Regularly review and remove unnecessary third-party apps that have access to your account.

8. What is the character limit for tweets on X?

The standard character limit for tweets is 280 characters. X Premium subscribers can post much longer tweets.

9. How do I report abusive behavior on X?

X has mechanisms to report abusive behavior:

1. Report a Tweet: Click the three dots (more options) on the tweet and select “Report Tweet.”
2. Report an Account: Go to the user’s profile, click the three dots, and select “Report.”
3. Block a User: Block users who are harassing or spamming you.
4. Mute a User: Mute users to stop seeing their tweets without unfollowing them.

X takes reports of abuse seriously and may suspend accounts that violate their policies.

10. How do I delete my X account?

To delete your account:

1. Go to your Profile settings.
2. Select Account Information.
3. Scroll down to Deactivate Account.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to deactivate your account. Note that this is not immediate deletion; your account will be deactivated for 30 days, during which you can reactivate it. After 30 days, it will be permanently deleted.

11. How do I customize my X feed to see content I’m interested in?

Customizing your feed is key to a positive X experience:

• Follow Relevant Accounts: Follow accounts that post about topics you enjoy.
• Use Lists: Create or subscribe to lists to group accounts by topic.
• Mute Unwanted Content: Mute accounts or keywords that you don’t want to see.
• Engage with Content: Liking, retweeting, and replying to tweets signals to X what you’re interested in.

12. Why did Twitter change to X? What does it mean for me?

Twitter changed its name to X under Elon Musk’s ownership as part of a broader vision to create an “everything app.” For users, this initially meant changes in branding and some feature adjustments. The ultimate impact is still unfolding as Musk continues to integrate new functionalities and services into the platform. This means users should expect continued experimentation and evolution of the platform.

Now you’re armed with all the knowledge you need to confidently navigate the world of X! Get out there, express yourself, and join the conversation. Happy tweeting!