How to hide trending topics on X (Twitter)

The "What's happening" sidebar and the For You timeline are built to pull you in. X lets you soften them a little. These three ways let you actually stop seeing them.

Why there is no simple switch

X shows trends on nearly every page and defaults the timeline to the algorithmic For You tab. Its settings can make trends less personal and let you switch tabs, but there is no option to remove either from the page.

1. The built-in options: Following tab and trend settings free, limited

Switch the timeline to the Following tab to see only accounts you follow, in order. Under Settings, Privacy and safety, Content you see, you can turn off "Trends for you" so trends are no longer personalised.

Helpful, but limited: the Following tab tends to reset to For You over time, and trends still appear, they just stop being tailored to you.

2. Remove trends and the feed with an extension free, all or nothing

News Feed Eradicator supports X and removes the timeline outright. uBlock Origin's element picker can hide the trends sidebar and "Who to follow" box permanently.

It works and it is free. The catch is the usual one: what is removed is gone until you switch it off, and X changes its markup often enough that removal rules need occasional fixing.

3. Blur the sidebar and timeline, keep search and notifications gentler

Softspot's X preset blurs the Trends and search sidebar, the For You timeline, and the "Who to follow" box, each with one click. Search, notifications, messages, and any profile you open on purpose stay normal.

Want to see what is trending after all? Hover and hold the peek button. It reveals for ten seconds and blurs again, which is long enough to check and short enough not to fall in.

How to set it up

1Install Softspot from the Chrome Web Store. It is free on two sites, and it asks for no site access until you blur something.
2Open the site, click the Softspot icon in your toolbar, and press + Blur next to Trends & search sidebar and Home timeline (For You).
3Done. It stays blurred on every visit. To blur anything else on the page, press Alt+B and click it.

Which should you pick?

Built-in options if you want a lighter feed and do not mind it creeping back.

A removal extension if you never want to see it again and are fine with it being gone for good.

Softspot if you want it out of your face but still there when you genuinely need it, with the rest of the site working normally.

Questions people ask

Can I still search X and read notifications?

Yes. Only the blocks you choose are blurred. The search box in the sidebar keeps working, and notifications and messages are untouched.

Does this work on the X app?

No. Browser extensions only work in desktop browsers. On mobile, the Following tab and the trends setting are your options.

Put the noise out of focus

Softspot blurs the distracting parts of any website. Free on 2 sites, no account, no tracking.

Add Softspot to Chrome One-time upgrade for unlimited sites. Yours forever, no subscription.