Finding an audience on Twitter is incredibly hard because it’s saturated with regular updates. It’s not a place where people post less frequently. Users are updating feeds regularly, and the larger, well-known names take priority in the algorithm.
X is an amazing platform for quick updates, real-time conversations, and viral trends. But if you’re a content creator or enthusiast with a passion for a niche topic, you might feel like your tweets are getting lost in the noise.
This happens because X’s discovery system is heavily focused on popular or trending topics. Which, can make it tough for smaller or more specific content to reach a larger audience. They almost fade into the background.
What is limited discovery?
Limited discovery means that content outside of popular or trending topics often doesn’t get much visibility. For niche creators—people sharing about specific interests like underground music, rare books, or specialised hobbies—this can make growing your audience difficult.
X’s algorithm tends to promote content that already has a lot of engagement (likes, retweets, comments). This benefits big accounts or mainstream topics. Unfortunately, this can leave niche content buried.
Why does this happen?
1. The algorithm prioritises popularity
X’s algorithm favours tweets that are already getting a lot of engagement. This makes sense for big news or viral moments. But if you’re posting about a niche interest, you’re competing with thousands of popular tweets. Even though your content may be valuable, it doesn’t get the same visibility if it doesn’t initially attract engagement.
2. Trending topics dominate the feed
When you open X, you’ll likely see trending topics or tweets with high engagement at the top of your feed. While this helps you stay up-to-date with what’s happening globally, it often pushes niche conversations further down. For smaller accounts or less common interests, it becomes harder to break through and be seen by new people.
3. Hashtags don’t always help
While hashtags can boost visibility, using niche hashtags often doesn’t help as much as people think. If the hashtag isn’t widely followed or recognised, it won’t bring in a significant amount of new viewers. This means even your most carefully crafted tweet might not reach outside your current followers.
What can you do about it?
While limited discovery is a real challenge, there are ways you can improve your chances of getting noticed on Twitter, even if you’re focusing on a niche topic.
1. Engage with similar communities
Interact with accounts and communities that share your interests. Retweet, comment, and reply to other users in your niche. The more you engage with others, the more likely they’ll return the favour. This can increase the visibility of your tweets and help you connect with like-minded followers.
2. Post consistently and at optimal times
Regular posting gives your content more chances to be seen. Timing is also key—posting when your audience is most active can significantly improve engagement. Try experimenting with different times of day to see when your niche audience is online.
3. Collaborate with other creators
Team up with other niche creators by tagging them in tweets, doing shout-outs, or collaborating on joint posts. When other people in your niche interact with your content, it increases its chances of getting noticed by a wider audience.
4. Take advantage of Twitter lists
Use X lists to organise accounts that align with your niche and actively engage with them. Creating or following niche-specific lists can help you stay connected to the conversation and make it easier for others to find you.
5. Cross-promote on other platforms
Don’t rely solely on X for growth. Cross-promote your content on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or Reddit, where niche communities might be more engaged. This can help direct interested people to your Twitter account, increasing your audience over time.
While it’s tough to gain visibility on X as a niche content creator, it’s not impossible. By interacting with your community, posting consistently, and leveraging tools like hashtags and collaborations, you can slowly grow your audience. It takes time and persistence, but with the right strategy, even the most specialised content can find its place and thrive on Twitter.
