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X nudges users to promote posts with a pointing hand

The hand pops up while users write posts, and one user says it appeared when the words engagement farming were in the tweet; X has not commented.

On air: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on BBN After Hours
Published 3:43 AM ET, Tuesday, October 27, 2026

At a glance

First reported by TechCrunch: “X is nudging users to promote their posts with a pointing hand, and people are confused”.
Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 3:43 AM ET on BBN After Hours, by Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield.

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

TechCrunchX is nudging users to promote their posts with a pointing hand, and people are confused

Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentA massive hand has been popping up on X while people write posts, pointing straight at the promote button, and TechCrunch says users over the last twenty-four hours have no idea why.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentOne user said it showed up exactly when the words engagement farming were in the tweet.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentSo the platform read a post about farming for clicks and offered to sell the farmer a tractor.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentTom Warren wrote that a massive hand popped up pointing to the promote button.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentWho actually asked for it? Nobody on X has ever wished the app would point at the checkout.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentIt's unclear whether the new product chief, Peter Sellis, ordered it. He took over Monday, and TechCrunch has asked X for comment.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentClip it. Sellis is one day in and the hand is already in the group chat.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentZero out of ten. Ask X for comment and I assume a smaller hand points at the promote button.