Even Grok isn't sure.
By Karissa Bell Oct. 27, 2026 5:35 pm EST Screenshot (X) Add Engadget on Google: Google DiscoverX is apparently experimenting with a strange tactic to get users to pay to boost their posts. People are starting to see a brief animation of an arm taking over the post composer in the X app. The arm appears only briefly and points at the "promote" button, according to multiple posts and screenshots from users.
The change doesn't seem to have hit all accounts just yet. The "promote" button appears in the composer view for accounts with a paid subscription to X Premium. The randomness of the new animation, though, is confusing X users. Is the company that desperate for promoted posts? Is it a prank? X hasn't publicly weighed in.
