X Algorithm Playbook
The definitive guide to maximizing your reach on X (Twitter), based on reverse-engineering the open-source algorithm.
Timing & Frequency
When to post and how often, based on algorithm mechanics.
The Author Diversity Penalty
A key reason not to flood the feed — though it works differently than most people think.
How It Works (verified from ranking_scorer.rs — real values published Aug 2026)
It is a per-response de-duplication, not a clock timer. Within a single For You response, your posts are sorted by score; each additional post from the same author gets a decayed multiplier based on its rank (position 0 = your top post, full weight):
multiplier = (1 - 0.25) × 0.5^position + 0.25 // decay=0.5, floor=0.25 — REAL values
- Your highest-scored post keeps full weight; your 2nd, 3rd… decay toward a
floor(so an author is attenuated, never removed to zero, by this scorer). positionis rank by score among your posts in that response — not chronological.
Real values (AuthorDiversityDecay=0.5, AuthorDiversityFloor=0.25):
Post #1: 100% Post #2: 62.5% Post #3: 43.75% Post #4: 34.4% …→ 25% floor
The decay is steeper than previously assumed — your second post loses over a third of its score.
What This Means
| Posting Frequency | Impact |
|---|---|
| 1 post/day | Optimal per-post score |
| 2 posts/day | 2nd post scores at 62.5% |
| 3+ posts/day | 3rd at 43.75%, →25% floor |
| Threads | Counts as ONE author slot (good!) |
Optimal Posting Strategy
General Guidelines
| Frequency | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Minimum | 1 post/day for consistency |
| Optimal | 1-2 quality posts/day |
| Maximum | 3 posts/day (spaced 4+ hours) |
| Threads | Can be longer, counts as 1 post |
Spacing Your Posts
If posting multiple times per day:
❌ Bad: 3 posts within 1 hour
✅ Good: Post at 9am, 2pm, 7pm
Minimum spacing: 3-4 hours
Ideal spacing: 6+ hours
Thread Strategy
Threads are a smart way to ship more content without multiplying your author-positions:
A thread is ONE post you publish → one author-position,
not N separate posts competing in the same response.
Benefits:
├── High dwell time (people read through)
├── One author-position instead of N (less diversity decay)
├── Multiple engagement points
└── Easy to bookmark/save
Note: this is about how many separate posts you publish, not a special rule for threads inside the scorer — the diversity scorer only sees
author_id, not thread structure.
The Age Filter
Posts older than a threshold are filtered out entirely — verified: 48 hours (MaxPostAgeHours=48).
Implications
| Factor | Action |
|---|---|
| Posts “expire” | Time your posts for maximum initial reach |
| Freshness matters | Post when your audience is online |
| Viral potential | Early engagement determines longevity |
The First Hour
The most critical window for any post:
0-15 min: Initial distribution to followers
15-60 min: Algorithm measures engagement
1+ hour: Decision point for wider distribution
Strategy: Be available to engage in replies during the first hour.
Finding Your Audience’s Peak Times
General Peak Times (US-centric)
| Time (ET) | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8-9 AM | Morning scroll |
| 12-1 PM | Lunch break |
| 5-7 PM | Evening commute |
| 9-10 PM | Night scrolling |
Finding YOUR Peak Times
Your audience may differ. Check:
1. X Analytics → Posts → Best times
2. Experiment with different times
3. Track engagement rates by post time
Time Zone Considerations
| Audience Type | Strategy |
|---|---|
| US-focused | ET 8am-10pm window |
| Europe-focused | CET business hours |
| Global | Multiple windows or overlap (2-4pm ET) |
| Niche-specific | When your niche is active |
Weekly Cadence
Sample Weekly Schedule
| Day | Posts | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 1-2 | Thread or insight |
| Tuesday | 1-2 | Engagement-focused |
| Wednesday | 1-2 | Value content |
| Thursday | 1-2 | Controversial/discussion |
| Friday | 1 | Fun/casual |
| Saturday | 0-1 | Optional |
| Sunday | 1 | Planning thread |
Rest Days
Taking breaks is fine:
✅ Consistency matters more than daily posting
✅ Quality doesn't require 7 days/week
✅ Occasional breaks don't hurt algorithmic standing
❌ Long absences (2+ weeks) may reduce initial reach
Consistency vs. Volume
The Algorithm Learns Your Pattern
Consistent posting → Algorithm learns when to check for your content
Erratic posting → Less predictable distribution
Choose a sustainable cadence you can maintain.
Quality Trade-offs
| Approach | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Daily posting | Consistency, more shots | Quality may suffer |
| 3x/week | Higher quality per post | Less visibility |
| 1x/week | Maximum quality | Easy to forget about you |
Recommendation: 5-7 posts/week, evenly spaced.
Quick Reference
Posting Checklist
- Has it been 3+ hours since my last post?
- Is this peak time for my audience?
- Will I be available to engage for the first hour?
- Is this a quality post worth the author slot?
Timing Rules
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Space posts 3-4+ hours | Avoid diversity penalty |
| Post at peak times | Check your analytics |
| Be present first hour | Early engagement matters |
| Threads > multiple posts | Better use of author slot |
| Consistency > volume | Sustainable cadence wins |
Next: Avoiding Penalties →