X’s algorithm now prioritizes mutuals over strangers

X has quietly rolled out a change to its algorithm that could shift the vibe of your timeline. The platform is now boosting posts from “mutuals” — people you follow who follow you back — according to Nikita Bier, X’s head of product.

Bier announced the update Monday, explaining that the company spotted a gap in its recommendation system. “We noticed this data was missing from the algo and it made your friends appear less in your replies,” he wrote. The result? Reply sections felt like a battleground filled with unfamiliar faces.

The fix is subtle. Don’t expect a complete overhaul of how X works overnight. But for regular users, it might mean scrolling through a feed that feels a bit more like a neighborhood gathering and a bit less like a shouting match in a crowded stadium.

Why mutuals matter for community building

The logic behind the change is straightforward: when you see people you actually know — even if only digitally — chiming in on conversations, the platform feels less chaotic. Bier said the adjustment should “help clusters form around interests more easily, which many people have asked for.”

That phrasing is key. X has long been criticized for amplifying polarizing voices and anonymous drive-by commentary. By tweaking the algorithm to favor reciprocal relationships, the company is signaling that it wants to reward genuine interaction over viral outrage.

It’s a small step, but one that addresses a persistent user complaint: that X feels impersonal and hostile. Whether it actually changes behavior on the platform remains to be seen.

Creators and content: X’s broader strategy

This algorithm tweak is just the latest in a string of updates from X aimed at making the site more creator-friendly. Earlier this year, the platform revised its compensation model to reward original content over simple aggregation. Then, earlier this month, X launched a built-in video editor, giving users tools to polish clips without leaving the app.

These moves suggest X is trying to position itself as a serious destination for creators — not just a text-based debate forum. The mutuals update fits that narrative: if creators feel like they’re building real communities around their work, they’re more likely to stick around and post regularly.

A competitive landscape

X isn’t operating in a vacuum. Meta‘s Threads has been making its own algorithmic adjustments with a similar goal in mind. Last month, Threads introduced a feature called Your Algo, which lets users privately tune what appears in their feed. Threads also crossed 500 million monthly active users, a milestone that puts pressure on X to keep its own audience engaged.

Both platforms are chasing the same thing: making social media feel less like a firehose of noise and more like a place where people actually want to hang out. The difference is in the approach. X is leaning into the mutuals mechanic; Threads is giving users more direct control over their algorithm. Which strategy wins out is anyone’s guess.

What this means for your feed

If you’re an average X user, you might notice a few changes right away. Replies to popular posts could start featuring more familiar handles. Conversations might feel less fragmented. But don’t expect the platform to suddenly become a cozy chat room — the algorithm is still designed to surface engaging content, and that often means controversy.

The real test will come in the weeks ahead. If users report that their timelines feel less hostile, X will likely double down on this approach. If not, expect another tweak down the line. For now, it’s a small but telling signal that X recognizes one of its biggest problems: it’s just not that fun to be on.

Whether this change actually makes the platform more pleasant — or just rearranges the deck chairs — is something only time (and your feed) will tell.

Excel is still full of surprises

You probably think you know Microsoft Excel pretty well. You’ve used it for budgets, charts, maybe even some basic formulas. But I recently discovered three things Excel can do that genuinely blew my mind. I didn’t think it was possible—yet here we are.

Let me walk you through each one. You might end up using Excel in ways you never imagined.

1. Excel can generate unique random values without duplicates

Need a list of random numbers, codes, or IDs? The old way was to use RAND() or RANDBETWEEN(), but those often produce duplicates. That’s not acceptable for things like raffle tickets, sample IDs, or password resets.

I assumed you’d need a macro or a third-party add-in. But Excel has a hidden function: RANDARRAY. Combined with UNIQUE, it creates a list of random values with zero repeats. Here’s a quick example:

=UNIQUE(RANDARRAY(10, 1, 1, 100, TRUE))

That formula gives you 10 unique random integers between 1 and 100. No duplicates. No VBA. Just clean, dynamic data. It’s perfect for Excel random number generation in real-world scenarios.

How it works

• RANDARRAY generates an array of random numbers (rows, columns, min, max, integer/ decimal).
• UNIQUE filters out any duplicates automatically.

This combo is incredibly useful for simulations, lottery draws, or assigning random IDs to participants. I use it all the time now.

2. Excel can pull live data from the web automatically

I always thought web scraping required Python or a dedicated tool. But Excel’s Power Query (Get & Transform Data) can fetch live data from websites, APIs, and even PDFs.

Here’s what I did: I set up a query to pull the latest exchange rates from a public API. Once configured, Excel refreshes the data with one click—or automatically on file open. No coding. No manual copy-paste.

Steps to try it yourself

1. Go to Data > Get Data > From Other Sources > From Web.
2. Paste the URL of a table or API endpoint.
3. Use the Power Query Editor to clean and shape the data.
4. Load it into your worksheet.

This is a game-changer for anyone tracking stock prices, weather data, or sports stats. Excel becomes a live dashboard, not just a static spreadsheet.

3. Excel can send emails directly from a worksheet

This one really surprised me. I needed to send personalized emails to a list of clients—each with a different subject line and body. I assumed I’d need Outlook mail merge or a third-party service.

But Excel has a built-in feature: Mail Envelope (part of the legacy Send to Mail Recipient tool). It’s not new, but most people don’t know it exists. You can also use VBA to automate the process with a simple macro.

A quick VBA example

Sub SendEmail()
    Dim OutApp As Object
    Set OutApp = CreateObject("Outlook.Application")
    OutApp.CreateItem(0).Display
End Sub

With a bit of tweaking, you can pull recipient names, subjects, and body text directly from cells. No extra software needed. It’s a huge time-saver for Excel email automation tasks.

I now use this to send weekly status reports to my team—all from one spreadsheet.

Why these tasks matter for everyday users

These three examples prove Excel is far more than a number cruncher. It can generate unique data, pull live information from the web, and even act as a basic email client. For small businesses, freelancers, or anyone managing data, these features eliminate tedious manual work.

You don’t need to be a programmer to use them. Just a willingness to explore Excel’s hidden menus and functions. Trust me—it’s worth the effort.

What surprising things have you discovered in Excel? Share your finds in the comments below.

Brussels takes aim at infinite scroll, autoplay, and the algorithm

The European Commission has formally told Meta that its social networks — Facebook and Instagram — are built to hook users, not just connect them. On Friday, regulators announced preliminary findings that Meta’s platforms violate the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA) by deploying design tricks that drive compulsive use.

The commission specifically calls out infinite scroll, autoplay videos, push notifications, and hyper-personalized recommendation algorithms. These features, the EU argues, push the brain into “autopilot mode” and fuel an urge to keep swiping. The result? Unhealthy habits and compulsive behavior, especially among minors and vulnerable adults.

This isn’t a slap on the wrist. If the findings are confirmed after Meta’s formal response, the company faces a fine of up to 6% of its global annual turnover. For a business that reported over $134 billion in revenue last year, that’s potentially billions of dollars.

Why the EU says Meta’s design is dangerous

The commission’s investigation zeroes in on how Meta’s interface exploits psychological vulnerabilities. “Evidence also shows that Meta’s current mitigation measures failed to effectively tackle the risks stemming from its addictive design,” the commission wrote in its announcement.

Take screen-time tools. Instagram and Facebook offer them, and they’re even activated by default for teens. But the EU says these tools are too easy to dismiss. They don’t meaningfully reduce usage. A teenager can tap past a break reminder in seconds and keep scrolling through Reels until 2 a.m.

The commission also accuses Meta of ignoring data about how much time minors spend on the platforms at night — and how features like Stories and Reels specifically encourage overuse. The DSA requires platforms to assess and mitigate systemic risks to users’ well-being. Meta, the EU says, failed to do that adequately.

What Meta must change — or else

The commission isn’t just complaining. It’s demanding specific fixes:

• Disable autoplay and infinite scroll by default. Users could still turn them on, but the default experience would stop feeding content endlessly.
• Introduce effective screen-time breaks that can’t be easily dismissed.
• Overhaul recommendation algorithms so they’re less driven by engagement metrics and more focused on user safety.

These changes would fundamentally alter how Facebook and Instagram work. Infinite scroll and autoplay are core to the platforms’ stickiness. So is the algorithm that surfaces content based on what keeps you watching, not what’s good for you.

Meta now has a chance to review the evidence and submit a formal defense. The findings aren’t final. But the clock is ticking.

This isn’t Meta’s first EU showdown — and it won’t be the last

Friday’s announcement is the second time this year the commission has found Meta in breach of its laws. In April, regulators said Meta failed to prevent children under 13 from using Facebook and Instagram — a direct violation of the DSA’s child safety provisions.

Meanwhile, Meta is fighting similar battles on the other side of the Atlantic. In a court filing on Monday, the company revealed that four U.S. states are seeking $1.4 trillion in penalties. The states allege Meta designed its platforms to addict young users and misled the public about safety risks.

The EU’s action adds another layer of regulatory pressure. Meta has not yet responded to requests for comment on the commission’s latest findings.

What the DSA means for Big Tech — and for users

The Digital Services Act, which took full effect in February 2024, is Europe’s most ambitious attempt to rein in platform power. It requires large platforms like Facebook and Instagram to systematically assess and mitigate risks — from illegal content to addictive design.

This case is a test of whether the DSA can actually force change. The commission’s focus on design features, not just content moderation, signals a broader shift. Regulators are looking under the hood at how platforms are built, not just what users post.

For users, the potential changes could mean a less frictionless experience. No more endless scroll. No more videos that start playing automatically. But also, possibly, less time lost to apps designed to capture attention.

Meta still has room to argue its case. But the message from Brussels is clear: the era of designing for maximum engagement at any cost is ending.