Creators and brands running active X accounts now have a new way to manage surges in engagement. X rolled out an update that lets users sort the list of people who like their posts, making it easier to spot mutuals and influential users, as confirmed in its official announcement.
Previously, sifting through hundreds or thousands of likes could bury prime opportunities for collaboration or networking. The update prioritizes meaningful interactions at the top—just as competition with platforms like Threads heats up.
How X’s Like sorting works
To use the new sorting option, first view an expanded post and select “View Activity” in the lower-right corner. Tap the “Liked by” listing to see who has liked your post. Look for the arrow icon at the top-right, which opens sorting choices: “Top” or “Recent.”
Key update details:
- “Top” surfaces users you follow, then large accounts, before others.
- “Recent” displays the freshest likes first.
- Sorting is available in the latest X app for most users.
For creators, this makes it easier to scan engagement from both mutuals and large audiences—especially valuable on viral posts. Now, influencers who like your content don’t get lost in the shuffle, and outreach can be more targeted.
A response to platform competition
X’s Like sorting comes as rivals amplify engagement tools. For example, Threads is nearing X in daily user numbers, ramping up pressure for X to retain its power users. While X’s new head of product has focused on quick UI fixes, competing apps like Threads are evolving community features and analytics.
This feature is one in a streak of tweaks since Nikita Bier joined X three months ago. He’s drawing on his background in viral app development to refine user experience and reduce friction for heavy creators. Prior recent updates have targeted bugs and simplified navigation, all with a goal to boost engagement durability.
Why Like sorting matters for creators and brands
For anyone growing an organic audience, visibility into who engages—and when—can shape everything from relationship-building to influencer targeting. When a post spikes, finding high-value connections quickly is now much more feasible. Marketers leveraging X for brand visibility or campaign outreach will find this update simplifies follow-up and rapport-building, reducing lost opportunities.
Threads and Instagram are also sharpening their appeal to creators. Instagram recently rolled out shareable performance data for creators, making it easier to pitch for brand partnerships. As multiple platforms double down on creator tools, X’s Like sorting move may help it compete for the attention of power users and marketers alike.
Expect more engagement-focused features soon
X’s Like sorting is unlikely to reverse macro trends—some creators continue shifting to other platforms with more robust analytics or different content communities. However, this update does offer practical, daily value for those invested in X.
Given X’s new product leadership, future updates will likely continue to target both longstanding gripes and new opportunities for interaction. For creators and brands, the message is clear: platform differentiation increasingly hinges on tools that support more intentional, strategic engagement.
