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Posting links on X just got 1,900% costlier
22 Apr 2026

X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has raised the cost of posting links through its API.

The price has jumped from $0.01 to $0.2 per link posted, a whopping 1,900% increase.

This change is already impacting several publishers, affecting their content strategy on the platform.

Techmeme alters posting strategy on X
Content shift

In light of the drastic price increase, Techmeme has changed its posting strategy on X.

Previously, the account would post short headlines summarizing news with links to the source.

Now, it has replaced these links with a message saying "Visit Techmeme dot com for the link and full context!"

This change makes Techmeme's posts less useful for users seeking direct access to news articles.

Link deboosting debate reignited
Controversy

The API price hike has reignited the debate over whether links are deboosted on X.

This was highlighted by a recent study from Nieman Lab, which analyzed posts from 18 major media outlets and found that links "do seem to hurt news publishers" on the platform.

However, X's head of product Nikita Bier denied these claims and said there is no code deboosting links.

Bier offers to pay for API price bump
Offer

In response to Techmeme's concerns, Bier offered to "pay personally for the API price bump," which was intended "to reduce search spam attacks."

Despite this offer, Techmeme founder Gabe Rivera remains skeptical about the long-term effectiveness of this API price hike in solving X's spam problem.

He also highlighted alternative platforms where users can access Techmeme content such as its website, RSS feed, and newsletter.