By default, X (Twitter) often resets your timeline to the “For You” tab, which uses an algorithm to show recommended content rather than a chronological feed from people you actually follow. For professionals who use X as a real-time information tool, this algorithmic noise can be a major distraction.
To set the “Following” feed as your default, you simply need to select the “Following” tab at the top of your timeline. On modern versions of the X app and web browser, the platform is designed to remember your last selected tab. If you close the app while on the Following tab, it should remain there the next time you open it.
Quick Solution: Pinning the Following Feed
- Open X on your browser or mobile app.
- Tap or click the “Following” tab at the top of the screen.
- Do not switch back to “For You” before closing the app/window.
- X will now persist with the Following feed as your primary view.
1. Why X Defaults to the “For You” Algorithm
The “For You” tab is designed to increase user engagement by showing viral posts, advertisements, and content from accounts you don’t follow but might find interesting. While this is great for casual browsing, it often buries time-sensitive updates from your professional network.
In 2023, X updated its interface to ensure that the user’s choice of tab (For You or Following) is saved across sessions. However, system updates or clearing your browser cache may occasionally reset this preference to the default “For You” view.
2. Detailed Steps for Web Browser (Desktop)
If you are using X on a PC or Mac via a browser like Chrome or Edge, the process is straightforward:
1. Go to X.com and log in.
2. Look at the top of your home timeline. You will see two headers: For You and Following.
3. Click on Following.
4. You will notice the blue underline moves to “Following.”
As long as you do not manually click “For You” again, every time you visit X.com on that specific browser, it will load your chronological list of followed accounts.
3. Detailed Steps for iOS and Android Apps
The mobile app follows the same logic but requires the app to be fully updated to the latest version to ensure the “persistent tab” feature works correctly.
1. Open the X app.
2. Swipe left or tap Following at the top.
3. Ensure the Following text is highlighted/underlined.
4. Close the app normally.
Note: If you use “Force Quit” on your smartphone immediately after switching tabs, the app may not have enough time to save your preference to its local database. Switch the tab, wait a few seconds, then continue using or close the app.
4. Professional Insight: The Value of Chronological Information
The shift toward algorithmic feeds in social media represents a loss of “Information Sovereignty” for the user. When an algorithm decides what you see, your professional perspective is shaped by what a machine deems “engaging” rather than what is actually important for your career or business.
By forcing your feed back to a chronological “Following” view, you are reclaiming control over your digital environment. In a business context, seeing a post from a client or a tech lead 2 minutes after it happens is infinitely more valuable than seeing a viral meme from 10 hours ago. Prioritizing the Following feed is not just a preference; it is a productivity strategy to avoid the “Algorithm Trap.”
Summary: Maintaining Your Chronological Feed
Setting the Following feed as default on X is no longer a hidden setting but a matter of platform persistence. By simply selecting the tab and staying on it, you ensure a cleaner, more focused experience. If you find the “For You” tab appearing again, check if you have recently cleared your browser cookies or reinstalled the mobile app, as these actions are the most common reasons for a settings reset.