X, the social network, has raised the cost of posting links via its API to combat spam and misuse. The price for posting links increased from $0.01 to $0.20. Last week, X’s developer account announced changes to its API pricing, including raising the link posting cost and increasing the posting cost from $0.01 to $0.15 per post.
This decision might discourage publications from sharing links. For example, Techmeme ceased adding links to original articles on X, instead directing users to visit their website for full context. Earlier, Techmeme mentioned that the price hike was a reason for removing links, citing a Nieman Lab study that showed decreased engagement when links were included in X posts.
Nikita Bier, X’s head of product, disputed the study’s findings, arguing that accounts covered were simply posting headlines and links without context. He suggested that Techmeme include screenshots of reactions to provide context.
Techmeme founder Gabe Rivera questioned the feasibility of the changes, suggesting it could force news sites to pay significantly to post links or do so manually.
X’s reduction of post reach involving links has been debated before, with past instances such as the removal and later reinstatement of headlines from link previews.