Twitter Is Now X: What Changed and What Didn't

If you have been away from social media for a while, or you just never paid close attention, the change can be confusing. The blue bird is gone, the app icon is a black X, and people talk about "posts" instead of "tweets". Twitter is now X, but for most everyday tasks, the platform works much as it did before.

This guide explains the rebrand in plain English: when it happened, which names and features changed, what happened to old links, and what stayed the same. It focuses on the practical details that matter to everyday users rather than the business story behind the change.

A short timeline

• October 2022: Twitter changed ownership and was taken private.

• July 2023: The company announced the rebrand. The bird logo was replaced with an X, and the app was renamed.

• 2023 to 2024: Product names were gradually updated across the app, and the subscription service was renamed.

• May 2024: x.com became the main web address. Links to twitter.com continue to redirect to x.com.

The changes rolled out in stages, which is why you may still see older names in some places, such as articles, app store reviews and other people's habits. Some settings and help pages also kept older wording for a while, so it's normal to see both names side by side.

What changed

The name and logo

The app is now called X, with a black-and-white X logo instead of the blue bird. The company describes X as a broader platform, though its core is still the familiar timeline of short posts, photos and videos.

The vocabulary

Several everyday terms changed:

• Tweets became posts.

• Retweets became reposts.

• Quote Tweets became quotes or quote posts.

• Twitter Blue became X Premium.

Many people still use the old words, and you'll hear both. Our guide to tweets vs posts and X's new terms explains each one.

The web address

The website moved to x.com. Old twitter.com links still work and redirect automatically, so bookmarks and links in old articles generally keep working. Our article on twitter.com vs x.com links covers what that means for sharing and downloading.

Verification

The blue checkmark used to mean an account was a verified notable person or organization. Now, checkmarks are tied mainly to the paid Premium subscription, with different colors for businesses and government accounts. A checkmark no longer guarantees an account is who it claims to be, so it is worth checking profiles carefully.

Subscriptions and features

Premium subscribers get extra features, such as editing posts, longer posts and longer video uploads, along with other perks. Standard accounts keep the core features. The details of each tier change over time, so check X's own help pages for the current list.

What didn't change

For everyday use, a lot stayed the same:

• Posting and replying work as before, with text, photos, videos and GIFs.

• Following, likes and bookmarks behave the same way. Our guide to X bookmarks vs downloading explains how saving works.

• Your account and followers carried over automatically. You didn't need to sign up again.

• Old posts and links remain, and twitter.com links redirect to x.com.

• Video and GIF playback works the same way in the timeline.

What it means for saving videos

The rebrand didn't change how videos are stored or played. X still doesn't offer a download button for other people's videos, and GIFs are still stored as short MP4 videos that loop.

Tools like ClipDrift work with both old and new links. You can paste an x.com link into the X video downloader, or a classic twitter.com link into the Twitter video downloader, and get the same result. GIFs save through the X GIF downloader.

Should you say X or Twitter?

Both are understood. Officially it's X, and new users may only know that name. Many people still search for "Twitter video downloader" or "save tweet video", which is why you'll see both names used across the web, including on ClipDrift.

Common questions after the rebrand

Do I need a new account?

No. Your Twitter account became your X account automatically, with the same username, followers and posts.

Did my old tweets disappear?

No. They're still on your profile as posts, unless you deleted them yourself.

Does the old app still work?

The app was updated and renamed in the app stores. If your app still shows the old name, update it to get the latest features and fixes.

Tips for getting comfortable with X

If the changes have made the app feel unfamiliar, a few small steps help.

• Switch to the Following tab if you prefer seeing posts only from accounts you follow, rather than recommendations in For You.

• Review your privacy settings. Settings and privacy has options for who can reply to you, who can tag you in photos, and whether your posts are protected.

• Check your notification settings. If you get too many alerts, the Notifications section lets you filter them.

• Tidy your bookmarks and lists. They're still the best way to organize what you want to read later.

• Update the app. Many small changes arrived through updates, and older versions can behave oddly.

Explaining the change to others

If you're helping a parent, grandparent or colleague, the simplest summary is: it's the same app with a new name, and "tweets" are now called "posts". Their account, followers and old posts are all still there. Pointing out the new X icon on their home screen often solves most of the confusion.

Staying safe during changes

Big changes attract scammers. Be wary of messages claiming you must "verify" or "migrate" your account to keep it, or links asking for your password. X won't ask you to move your account, and legitimate tools like video downloaders never need your login. Our guide on spotting fake download buttons has more safety tips.

Only download content you own or have permission to use. You can save videos, GIFs and images from any public post on the ClipDrift homepage.

FAQ

When did Twitter become X?

The rebrand was announced in July 2023. The x.com web address became the main domain in May 2024.

Are tweets still called tweets?

Officially they're called posts now, and retweets are reposts. Many people still use the old terms.

Do twitter.com links still work?

Yes. Links to twitter.com redirect to x.com, so old links generally keep working.

Does a blue checkmark still mean an account is verified?

Not in the old sense. Checkmarks are now mainly tied to the Premium subscription, so check profiles carefully.

Did the rebrand change how videos work?

No. Videos and GIFs play the same way, and there's still no built-in download button for other people's videos.

Can I still download videos from old Twitter links?

Yes. ClipDrift accepts both twitter.com and x.com links.