X invests $1 million in a long article: platform strategy makes a major shift

X Official Creator Account Announces $1 Million Original Content Reward Campaign on January 18th. This is not only a substantial incentive but also reflects a major strategic shift in X’s creator ecosystem. From encouraging short-form content to emphasizing long-form articles, from platform subsidies to rewarding high-quality content, X is redefining its value proposition as a content monetization platform with real cash.

The Platform’s New Bet

Signal of Strategic Shift

X’s official statement indicates that by the end of 2025, revenue payouts will hit the highest level since the profit plan was launched, and 2026 is positioned as the “Creator Year.” This $1 million reward is not an isolated move but part of X’s overall strategic upgrade. Compared to short-form content, X explicitly states it will place greater emphasis on long-form formats like articles, aiming to become the “best platform for making money through content.”

This shift is quite interesting. As a former short-form platform, X now aims to compete with long-form content platforms. The logic behind this is clear: short content easily generates大量低质内容, while long-form content is more likely to produce in-depth, influential material—content that can “shape conversations, spark news, and drive cultural development.”

Details of the Reward Rules

Key points to note about these rules:

• The 1000-word threshold is high enough to filter out shallow, filler content and favor truly in-depth pieces.
• Homepage exposure as a judging criterion indicates X values content reach and influence, not just readership numbers.
• US-only participation likely for ease of management and compliance, also reflecting the importance of the US market for X.
• A 13-day window creates urgency, encouraging creators to participate quickly.

What Does This Mean

Impact on the Creator Ecosystem

X is sending a clear signal to content creators: we value your deep thinking and original viewpoints. In contrast, previously X had banned cryptocurrency projects from attracting users through投稿报酬, making this official reward plan a stark contrast—X now incentivizes high-quality content rather than project marketing content.

A New Dimension in Platform Competition

Long-form content platforms (like Medium, Substack, etc.) have been vying for top-tier creators. X’s move says: come write long-form on X—there’s a large audience base, and we’ll pay you real cash. While $1 million sounds substantial, distributing it among many creators is a significant incentive.

Expectations for Future Actions

X mentions that Creator Studio will soon launch a more detailed earnings overview panel, allowing creators to see their revenue sources and data more clearly. This increased transparency is very attractive to creators.

Summary

X’s shift from a short-form content platform to a content monetization platform is accelerating. The $1 million reward is just the beginning but demonstrates the platform’s determination. This presents an opportunity for content creators and puts pressure on other platforms. In the coming years, competition among content platforms may shift from “who has more users” to “who can help creators earn money.” X’s investments in this direction are worth watching.