X (Formerly Twitter): Practical Tips That Still Matter
Updated September 23, 2025
Keyboard shortcuts
- On web, press ? to see the full cheat sheet. Quick wins: n new post, g then h Home, j/k navigate posts.
Account hygiene
- Review connected apps and revoke anything you don’t use. Check sessions and logged-in devices while you’re there.
- Enable 2FA with an authenticator app. Avoid SMS if possible.
- Audit visibility: who can tag you, who can send DMs, and whether your likes are public in your profile view.
Scheduling without fuss
- On web, the composer supports Schedule for many accounts. For columns and bulk, use X Pro (formerly TweetDeck).
- Draft evergreen posts and stagger them; avoid bursts that bury each other.
Search that actually works
- from:user to:user @user to scope accounts and threads.
- since:YYYY-MM-DD until:YYYY-MM-DD to bound time.
- min_faves:50 min_retweets:20 to surface signal.
- has:links has:images -filter:replies to refine results.
- Save searches you reuse; pin them in X Pro as columns.
Lists beat the firehose
- Create a few private lists (research, colleagues, local). Pin them so they’re one tap from Home.
- In X Pro, dedicate a column per list for clean, topic-specific reading.
Mute, block, and filters
- Muted words reduce predictable noise during events without unfollowing anyone.
- Use Quality filter and limit DMs to people you follow if spam creeps in.
Sensitive media and location
- If your posts include sensitive media, mark it in settings to avoid surprises for viewers.
- Disable precise location in the composer; remove past location data if you used it previously.
Embeds without screenshots
- Use the post’s Share menu to get an Embed code. Embedded posts stay interactive and attribute correctly.
- For threads, embed the first post and link “Read the full thread” under it.
Media that earns attention
- Prefer native uploads for images and video. Add concise alt text that actually describes the image.
- Crop for mobile first. One strong asset beats a collage of unreadable screenshots.
Measure what matters
- Open a post and tap View post analytics. Track reach, link clicks, and completion on video.
- Republish only the posts that earned saves, shares, or profile visits. Ignore vanity metrics.
Threads without fluff
- Start with the payoff, not a teaser. Keep each post self-contained. Link sources inline.
- Archive your best threads on your site. Don’t let good work live only on X.
Bookmarks, not favorites
- Use Bookmarks (and folders) for research. Favorites are public signals; bookmarks are a private inbox.
Note: Third-party app ecosystems change frequently. Prefer native features first; add external tools only when they provide a clear advantage.