X is continuously refining how users discover and consume content. One of its latest experimental updates is a Watch History feature, presented as a new "Seen" tab, designed to help users find videos they have already watched.
This article explains how the Seen tab works, why X is introducing watch history, and how it fits into the platform's broader shift toward algorithm-driven feeds.
What Is X Watch History (Viewing History)?
X Watch History is a feature currently being tested that tracks videos a user has viewed inside the app.
The core purpose of this feature is to:
Help users revisit videos they remember but cannot easily find
Reduce repeated scrolling to locate previously seen content
Improve content recommendations based on viewing behavior
Unlike bookmarks or likes, watch history focuses on passive viewing activity, which provides stronger signals for recommendation algorithms.
How X Watch History Works in the "Seen" Tab
The Seen tab acts as a dedicated section where watched videos may be stored.
Although X has not released full technical details, early testing suggests the Seen tab may:
Display videos users have already watched
Group content based on viewing behavior rather than posting time
Function as a discovery shortcut instead of a full browsing archive
This mirrors watch history systems used by other video-centric platforms, reinforcing X's move toward video-first consumption.
Why X Introduced Watch History for Video Content
The addition of watch history supports several strategic goals for X.
1. Increase User Retention
Allowing users to quickly return to previously watched content encourages longer sessions and more frequent app usage.
2. Strengthen AI Recommendations
Watch history provides high-quality behavioral data, helping X's algorithm better understand user preferences.
3. Support Video Content Growth
As video becomes more central to X, watch history helps maximize the long-term value of video posts.
Related X Interface Updates Affecting Content Discovery
The Seen tab is not an isolated update. X is also adjusting how users interact with posts across the platform.
1. Highlighted Replies From Followed Users
New reply indicators show when accounts you follow have engaged with a post, prompting users to explore conversations more deeply.
2. Following Feed Ranking Changes
The Following feed is no longer strictly chronological. Instead, it prioritizes posts deemed "most relevant" based on past interactions.
As a result:
Users are defaulted into the algorithmic For You feed
Chronological viewing requires manual switching
Content discovery becomes increasingly AI-driven
How X Watch History Changes the User Experience
For everyday users:
Content feels more personalized
Rediscovering videos becomes easier
Scrolling time naturally increases
For advanced users:
Real-time updates from followed accounts are harder to track
Feed control is reduced
Algorithm bias becomes more noticeable
This reflects X's preference for engagement optimization over manual content control.
How Creators Can Optimize Content for X Watch History
If watch history becomes permanent, creators should adjust content strategies accordingly.
Recommended practices include:
Creating videos with strong opening hooks
Designing content worth revisiting or rewatching
Focusing on completion rate and retention signals
Videos that users return to may gain extended visibility through algorithm reinforcement.
Final Thoughts
X Watch History and the Seen tab represent more than a convenience feature. They signal a deeper transformation toward algorithm-led video discovery on the platform.
For users, understanding how viewing history influences recommendations helps improve navigation and content control.
For creators, producing videos with long-term replay value is becoming increasingly important.
As X continues to refine its systems, X Viewing History may become a foundational element in how content is surfaced, remembered, and rediscovered.
