X copies Bluesky with a ‘Starterpacks’ feature that helps you find who to follow

In a move reminiscent of Bluesky's popular 'Starter Packs,' X is set to launch its own version, aiming to streamline user interactions on the platform. Announced by Nikita Bier, X's head of product, this new feature will curate lists of recommended accounts tailored to various interests, including categories such as News, Politics, Fashion, Technology, Business & Finance, Health & Fitness, Gaming, Stocks, and Memes. Unlike Bluesky, where any user can create and share Starter Packs, X's lists have been meticulously compiled by the company itself. Bier emphasized that the team spent months analyzing top contributors across different niches and regions to develop these lists. This approach leverages X's internal data rather than relying on personal user recommendations. The rollout of Starterpacks is expected in the coming weeks, marking a significant enhancement for X's user experience. The concept of suggested user lists is not new to X, previously known as Twitter, which has utilized similar features since its inception. Initially, these lists helped users discover individuals with shared interests, rather than just connecting with friends as seen on platforms like Facebook. While the suggested user feature has faced criticism for amplifying the visibility of certain users, leading to an unfair advantage, X has adapted over the years, shifting from editorially created lists to algorithmically determined suggestions. X is not alone in adopting the Starter Packs concept; Meta's Threads also began testing its own curated lists in December 2024, showcasing suggested users for new members. Additionally, the decentralized network Mastodon has been working on developing its own onboarding 'Packs' to assist users in finding relevant accounts.