Social platform X, formerly Twitter, has begun launching "Custom Timelines," a new feature that allows users to create personalized content feeds by giving a descriptive prompt to its Grok AI. This moves beyond manual curation tools like Lists, tasking Grok with dynamically finding and ranking relevant posts for any given topic.
Through the new Custom Timelines option, users can directly pin particular topics to their feed. Users no longer need to use a generic algorithmic timeline, they can now customize their experience based on areas of interest.
The feature has over 75 topics, including technology and finance to niche communities. Every timeline is dynamically created, i.e., it is a timeline that changes according to the interaction of users with posts.
This is driven by Grok that analyses the contents and their interactions to provide more related posts. The more they interact with a topic, the more the recommendations they get.
Early Access Targets Premium Subscribers
It is now being rolled out to Premium users on iOS and is soon to be supported by Android. This staged introduction provides an indication that X is experimenting with performance and user acceptance and is then making it more accessible.
The restricted early access will enable the platform to optimize the way timelines perform during actual use. It further provides a further reason to upgrade to Premium, which is also receiving new unique features.
How It Changes Content Discovery
Custom Timelines change the platform to a one-size-fits-all feed. Users are not required to scroll through mixed content but can directly jump to a stream of the topic.
Unlike traditional lists or follower-based feeds, the timelines are powered by Grok, which uses AI to curate and surface relevant posts in real time.
This means the content is not only based on who a user follows, but also on evolving discussions and trends within a chosen topic.
The Custom Timeline feature is part of the main X app, meaning it is designed for both iOS and Android users.
X also added a “Snooze Topics” feature, along with Custom Timelines. With this feature, users will be able to temporarily block certain topics on their For You feed.
When a subject turns clogging or inactive, the user will be able to put it on the mute. Premium subscribers can use the feature on both iOS and the web and can undo it anytime.
This provides a second control. Whereas Custom Timelines assist users in exploring interests further, Snooze Topics assists them to evade undesirable materials.
Powered by AI-driven curation
At the core of the feature is Grok, developed by xAI. The AI system analyses posts, engagement patterns, and contextual relevance to build a dynamic stream of content tailored to each topic.
This allows timelines to continuously update with fresh and relevant posts, without requiring users to manually manage lists or search for updates.
These developments underscore X in working more extensively in AI-driven personalization. With a combination of content knowledge of Grok and behavioral data, the platform is shifting to an adaptive feed system.
How to use the Custom Timeline feature
Once the feature is available on your app, setting up a Custom Timeline is straightforward:
Open the X app and go to your home screen
Tap on the timeline tabs (where “For You” and “Following” appear)
Look for an option like “Create Timeline” or a “+” icon
Enter a topic of interest (for example: business, Kenyan politics, tech, crypto news)
Let Grok generate a curated feed based on that topic
Pin the timeline so it appears alongside your main feeds
Users can create multiple timelines and swipe between them, effectively turning their home screen into a collection of personalised content streams. Like many of X’s recent updates, the feature is being rolled out in phases. Some users may see it earlier than others depending on their device, region, or whether they are part of a test group.
Competing for attention in a crowded space
The introduction of Custom Timeline comes as X continues to compete with platforms like Instagram and TikTok, which have heavily invested in algorithm-driven content discovery. By giving users the ability to “pin” their interests, X is attempting to strike a balance between algorithmic recommendations and user control.
The move also echoes earlier versions of Twitter, where users relied on lists and chronological feeds to organise content.
However, the addition of AI introduces a new layer of automation, reducing the manual effort required to maintain those curated spaces. While the feature is expected to appeal to users who rely on X for real-time updates, it also raises questions about echo chambers and content filtering. Narrowing feeds to specific topics could limit exposure to diverse viewpoints, depending on how the AI curates posts.
Ultimately, Custom Timelines are the first major productization of Grok as a core architectural component of X, not just a feature. It showcases a vision where xAI's models are deeply embedded in the platform's content delivery fabric.
This makes X a key battleground for the future of information feeds, pitting this highly customizable, LLM-driven model against the more centralized, ad-driven algorithmic feeds of Meta, TikTok, and YouTube.
The success or failure of Custom Timelines will offer crucial data on whether users truly want to curate their own algorithmic reality or prefer the passive consumption of a single, omniscient feed - a choice that feels more pressing with each passing update.
