In an unexpected turn of events for the social media landscape, several high-profile advertisers including Disney, IBM, Comcast, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Lionsgate Entertainment have announced their return to advertising on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. This move comes after a nearly year-long boycott sparked by concerns over content moderation and brand safety following controversial statements by X’s owner, Elon Musk.
The decision to resume advertising on X was largely attributed to the platform’s efforts to restore advertiser confidence under the leadership of CEO Linda Yaccarino.
Yaccarino, who has been instrumental in attempting to pivot X towards a more advertiser-friendly environment, expressed gratitude on behalf of X, saying, “Just want to say that we super appreciate major brands resuming advertising on our platform! Thanks to Linda Yaccarino and the whole X team for your hard work in restoring confidence in our platform.”
From January to September 2024, these brands collectively spent less than $3.3 million on X, marking a 98% year-over-year drop from the previous year’s $170 million during the same period. Despite the significant reduction, their return signals a cautious yet pivotal step towards reintegration with the platform, especially after their ads were previously associated with content promoting hate speech and antisemitism.
The advertising pull-back initially started in November 2023, following Musk’s endorsement of an antisemitic conspiracy theory, which led to widespread criticism and the exodus of advertisers. The situation was further complicated by a report from Media Matters for America, highlighting that ads from these companies appeared next to far-right content, prompting an immediate advertising freeze.
However, the landscape has shifted. The return of these advertisers is seen not just as a financial decision but as a broader endorsement of X’s commitment to fostering free speech while addressing content moderation issues. This move has been interpreted by some as a victory for the platform’s free speech stance, with posts on X celebrating the development as a sign that “nature is healing” and that the marketplace of ideas is being revitalized.
Yet, the advertising strategy of these major companies now seems to be more cautious. While IBM has stated that its approach remains unchanged, others like Comcast, Disney, and Lionsgate have yet to comment officially on their return. The focus appears to be on a long-tail advertising model, where smaller brands have been filling the gap left by these giants, suggesting a strategic shift in how advertising is approached on X.
The political climate post the 2024 US election, particularly Elon Musk’s ties to President-elect Donald Trump, might also be influencing this strategic recalibration. Advertisers might be navigating the new political landscape where being seen on X could imply alignment with certain political views or benefit from potential policy changes favoring social media platforms.