What changed on November 27, 2025

X has begun ranking the Following feed with its Grok AI by default. Instead of only reverse‑chronological posts from people you follow, the app now shows a Grok‑ordered list of “most engaging” posts from those accounts. Elon Musk announced the change, adding that you can still switch back to an “unfiltered chronological” view. Multiple outlets captured the announcement and the toggle instruction shared by the @Grok account. NDTV, Gadgets360, The Tech Portal

Phone screen mock illustrating the X app’s Following tab with a Grok-ranked banner and a three-dots menu to switch to chronological

What stays the same

  • The Following tab still limits the feed to accounts you follow (plus their reposts/replies). X’s help center describes Following as showing “only the accounts you follow.” The difference now is ordering. X Help Center
  • Sponsored posts can still appear, as with other timelines.

Why X is doing this

This shift is part of a broader plan Musk previewed in September: move X’s ranking “purely” to AI by November/December and let users tune their feed by asking Grok. Mint

Behind the scenes, xAI has also shipped Grok 4.1, which xAI says is preferred over the prior model in blind comparisons and now powers experiences across X, the web, and mobile apps. xAI blog

64.78%
Grok 4.1 preferred over prior model (blind tests)Source: xai-grok-4-1

How Grok ranks your Following feed

X hasn’t published a full ranking spec, but the company and press coverage point to signals like:

  • Relevance to you based on who you follow and your past engagement
  • The post’s engagement and recency
  • Content type and broader conversation patterns detected across the network

These are the same types of inputs modern social feeds use—but now they’re being applied to a space many considered the “last untouched timeline.” Gadgets360, The Tech Portal

How to switch back to chronological (and keep it that way)

If you prefer the old behavior:

Concept art showing a split between a clock (chronology) and a neural network (AI) over the X logo

What you’ll notice day to day

  • More “highlights” from people you follow near the top, even if they aren’t the very latest posts.
  • Threads or replies from followed accounts that are getting traction can be pulled upward.
  • Posting time matters a bit less; conversation quality and early engagement matter more.
TipCreator/brand checklist for Grok‑ranked Following
  • Focus on saves/replies over raw impressions—quality signals tend to carry more weight.
  • Encourage structured conversations (clear prompts, polls, or Q&A) to drive meaningful replies.
  • Post formats: mix short takes with occasional deeper threads; Grok can elevate both when engagement is strong.
  • Mind the first hour: reply to comments, add helpful context, and pin clarifications.
  • Experiment with timing, but don’t over‑optimize the clock—optimize for interaction.

Privacy and control

  • Grok is available across X on web and mobile. X Help Center: About Grok
  • In July 2024, X drew scrutiny for quietly opting users in to letting Grok train on their posts and interactions (you can opt out in settings). If you’re sensitive to data use, revisit that preference. Euronews

Risks and open questions

  • Opaqueness and bias: xAI has iterated quickly, but Grok has faced criticism for problematic outputs; xAI says it’s tightening moderation. Reuters
  • Feed effects: independent research shows even small tweaks to algorithmic feeds can shift political attitudes; design choices matter. The Guardian summary of a Science study
  • Controls roadmap: In October, Musk said X would add a Following setting to show “everything” or just “highlights,” foreshadowing today’s change; expect more knobs, possibly voice/AI controls via Grok. Gadgets360, Mint

Feed modes at a glance

How X’s feeds differ now

ModeWhat you seeOrderDefault status
For YouFollowed + recommended postsAI‑rankedUnchanged; opens to last‑used tab
Following (Grok‑ranked)Only accounts you follow (plus their reposts/replies)AI‑ranked by GrokNew default for the Following tab after updating
Following (Chronological)Only accounts you followNewest firstOptional toggle via ⋯ menu

Sources: X Help Center, NDTV, The Tech Portal

The big picture for automation and productivity

For teams that schedule posts or monitor brand mentions, this change shifts the “optimization surface” from time‑of‑post to interaction quality. It’s a nudge toward building ongoing conversations and timely follow‑ups rather than just hitting peak hours. Tools that help you triage replies quickly, run A/B variants, or auto‑summarize threads should gain value as Grok prioritizes meaningful exchanges.

Sources