X is Testing Variable Upload Quality Options for Video Creators

One other element of X’s pivot to video is coming, with creators soon set to give you the chance to pick out the video quality that they wish to upload in.  

As shown in this instance, posted by X designer Andrea Conway, together with a toggle to permit or disallow downloads of their content, creators will even give you the chance to pick out variable upload quality, which could make it easier for people trying to get their videos up on the platform quickly, or in low data situations.

Which might be a rare consideration of users outside the U.S., with many X users in developing markets still not in situations that enable them to upload full HD content, attributable to network capability, data plans, etc.

Though based on X owner Elon Musk users in these markets aren’t the most important motivation.

Well, perhaps, however the most important motivation is to hasten video upload time, as required, so as to keep X users updated on the most recent info.

It might be a handy choice to have, and with X trying to put more emphasis on video content, consistent with broader content consumption trends, providing more options is one other approach to drive more usage, and ideally enhance X’s appeal to video creators.

You’ll note, also, the content warning option at the underside. That’s already energetic, and X has been attempting to push users so as to add their very own labels on this front, particularly on violent and disturbing content.

Which has turn into more of a spotlight in recent days, as video content from various war zones flows into the X system. With fewer moderation staff to administer such, X is increasingly trying to put the onus on users to mitigate the risks, each by adding labels to uploads, in addition to providing tools that enable users to administer their experience within the app.

The issue with this approach is that loads of people, especially recent users, are likely unaware that they must be following the “Safety” account for official updates like this, or that such settings even exist. Which is why past Twitter management implemented more restrictions on such, but under Musk, X is looking for to take a more hands-off approach, again saving on labor costs, while also aligning along with his own free speech ethos.

That could lead on to some harmful situations, with users inadvertently exposed to especially confronting war footage. From one perspective, that may make sense, in that individuals should pay attention to what’s happening, but it surely could also make users more hesitant to make use of X to follow such events, depending on their tolerance for graphic material.

But Elon is set to make X the perfect source of truth on what’s happening, at any given time, which can involve allowing certain content to stay up, even when some users find it disturbing.

Is that a greater approach?

The actual challenge on this front isn’t a lot that previous Twitter management implemented more moderation control over such, but why they did. In Musk’s view, this was all within the name of selective censorship, but over time, I think he’s going to seek out out that there was more to their decision-making process than acting in self-interest.