X launches History tab to consolidate saved content

Social media platform X is rolling out a new History tab designed to aggregate bookmarks, likes, videos, and articles into a single, centralized location. The feature is initially available to users on the iOS operating system. By consolidating these previously scattered elements, the platform is shifting toward a model that allows users to easily save and revisit content they find while scrolling through their feeds.

According to X’s head of product, Nikita Bier, the new History section remains private to the individual user. This privacy feature effectively turns the mobile application into a more browser-like experience, allowing users to return to previously viewed media and posts without making their reading or viewing habits public. Under the update, the Bookmarks button in the app’s left-side menu is renamed History, separating saved content into four distinct tabs: Bookmarks, Likes, Videos, and Articles. While Bookmarks and Likes represent intentional saves, the Videos and Articles tabs are populated automatically based on what the user watches or reads on the platform.

The consolidation of these features could encourage greater adoption of X’s long-form article format. This format serves as a native publishing tool for creators and businesses, offering an alternative to the platform’s standard post limit of 280 characters. By making it easier to save and return to longer pieces of writing, the platform aims to make its long-form article format a more central part of the user experience.

Why it matters

The update transforms X into a ‘save-it-for-later’ hub, reducing friction for users to revisit content and potentially driving more traffic to the platform’s long-form article format.