Twitter, one of the internet’s most influential social platforms, recently underwent a significant rebranding to ‘X’. However, this bold move hasn’t been met with the positive feedback it perhaps expected. Instead, a wave of negative reviews has flooded the App Store, painting a somber picture of user sentiment.
According to data shared by market intelligence firm Sensor Tower, nearly 78% of all U.S. iOS reviews of the newly renamed ‘X’ have been 1-star reviews since July 24th, the day of the official rebrand. This marks a steep increase from the 50% of 1-star reviews that the app received in the two weeks leading up to the rebrand.
The reasons behind this negative outpouring are diverse, though certain common themes have emerged. Many users express dissatisfaction with the new logo and name, deeming the logo ‘ugly and confusing’ and the name ‘generic and forgettable’.
Changes to the app’s user interface have also stirred up a storm of criticism. A key grievance points to the removal of the popular “Fleets” feature. In addition, many users are finding the new user interface cluttered and difficult to navigate, hampering the seamless user experience the platform was once known for.
A more contentious issue, however, is Elon Musk’s ownership of Twitter. This factor alone has seemingly contributed to some of the platform’s discontent, with users expressing their disapproval.
Twitter responded to the surge of criticism in a statement to TechCrunch, expressing its commitment to user feedback. The company stated, “we are always listening to feedback from our users,” and are “committed to making ‘X’ the best possible experience for everyone.”
Yet, it remains uncertain if Twitter will make substantive changes to the app in response to the negative reviews. The company’s next steps in the face of this critical feedback will be crucial in shaping the platform’s future.
Moreover, the potential long-term impacts of this negative reception are still unclear. The effect on Twitter’s user base and financial performance remains to be seen, but the initial reaction suggests that the rebrand hasn’t resonated well with a significant portion of its users.
The company’s rebranding efforts, aimed at a fresh start or new direction, have instead been met with dissatisfaction and resistance. Only time will reveal how Twitter manages this wave of discontent and whether the rebranded ‘X’ can overcome this initial rocky start to once again become a beloved platform.
