X has introduced a new History tab for its iOS app, consolidating bookmarks, likes, videos, and articles into a single, private hub. The feature, announced by X head of product Nikita Bier, aims to transform the platform into a more versatile save-it-for-later tool, allowing users to easily revisit content they have interacted with or simply scrolled past.
What the History Tab Offers
Previously, bookmarks were accessible only through a dedicated button in the left-side menu, while likes were buried within a tab on the user’s profile. The new History tab replaces the Bookmarks button and organizes saved content into four distinct sections: bookmarks, likes, videos, and articles. Bookmarks and likes remain intentional saves, but the videos and articles tabs are populated automatically based on what a user watches or reads on the platform. Bier confirmed that the entire History section remains private to the user.
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Strategic Shift Toward Content Retention
The update positions X more like a web browser, where users can return to previously viewed items without having to explicitly save them. This consolidation is part of a broader strategy to encourage deeper engagement with long-form content on the platform. X has been actively promoting its article format, which allows businesses and creators to publish updates beyond the standard 280-character post limit. By automatically tracking articles users read, the History tab effectively creates a personalized news reader within the app.
Implications for Publishers and Creators
This move comes at a time when referral traffic from major platforms like Facebook and Google has declined, driven by algorithm changes and AI-powered experiences that keep users within their ecosystems. X sees this shift as an opportunity to attract more publishers and creators to write directly on its platform, where distribution and discovery are built in. The History tab could make X a more attractive destination for long-form journalism and analysis, offering a smooth way for readers to pick up where they left off.
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Conclusion
The launch of the History tab represents a meaningful evolution of X from a real-time social feed into a more comprehensive content hub. By centralizing saved and viewed content, the feature improves usability for regular users while also signaling to publishers that X is investing in tools that support longer-form, more permanent content. The update is currently available on iOS, with no immediate word on an Android rollout.
FAQs
Q1: Is the History tab available on Android?
As of now, the History tab is only available on the iOS version of X. An Android release has not been announced.
Q2: Can other users see my History tab?
No. According to X head of product Nikita Bier, the History section remains private to the user. No other account can view your bookmarks, likes, or browsing history.
Q3: How are the videos and articles tabs populated?
These tabs are populated automatically based on what you watch or read on X. You do not need to manually save videos or articles for them to appear in these sections.
