Using X (Twitter) search queries for a fresher home timeline

X in 2025

Despite new ownership in recent years, using X (aka Twitter) still has the old confusing algorithms that make reading the home page a non-linear experience:

• "For You" is rarely "for you"
• conservations with "in-jokes" by mutual followers
• reposts (if you don't turn off reposts for each user you follow)
• sponsored ads that almost always annoy

All you want is simply read original posts of people you followed!

Lists?

Sure, you could use "Lists", but that always comes with reposts and replies. X Premium comes with a "Pro" option that allows you to view a timeline without reposts, but you have to pay for that...

Queries!

In order to view only original posts, we can use the following simple search query trick!

(Now, as the title of this post suggests, this works best for the desktop version. It still works for the mobile app, but it requires some copy-and-pasting.)

The query template

So, we would enter the following query template in the search bar :

(from:username1 OR from:username2 OR from:username3 ... OR from:usernameX) -filter:replies

A concrete query example

Replace each of username1, username2 and so on with actual usernames. For example, one could use something like this in the Search bar:

(from:jonchius OR from:usgs_quakes OR from:davisanism) -filter:replies

Do the search, then click on the "Latest" tab. You will also see that the URL changes. Bookmark this URL as this will become your new "Home" on X!

The URL structure

In the concrete example just above, the URL would look something like this:

https://x.com/search?q=(from%3Ajonchius%20OR%20from%3Ausgs_quakes%20OR%20from%3Adavisanism)%20-filter%3Areplies&src=typed_query&f=live

A better X feed for everyone!

Not very pretty ... but still very useable, showing:

• your favourite users' posts!
• in reverse chronological order! ("Latest" tab)
• without reposts!
• without replies!
• without ads!
• ...best of all: without having to pay for X!

Sure, the query can get lengthy if you want to add, say, more than just a few accounts, but ask yourself: were you really following them?

On the mobile app?

One caveat: this doesn't work on the mobile app so well!

Personally, I would avoid the app altogether and use the query method on a desktop browser. It would also cut down screen time on X. Make X a source for information again, rather than treating X as a time-waster!