Elon Musk Announces McDonald’s Advertising on X, Signaling Platform’s Ad Revenue Recovery

Elon Musk revealed that McDonald's has begun advertising on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. The announcement, made in a succinct post on Wednesday, signals a significant step in Musk's efforts to rebuild advertiser confidence after a turbulent period following his acquisition. McDonald's, one of the world's largest advertisers, had paused spending alongside many other major brands due to concerns over content moderation and brand safety.

The return of a global powerhouse like McDonald's could catalyze additional advertiser interest, potentially boosting X's revenue trajectory. Musk has been actively courting brands with new ad products and content moderation changes, including hiring a former NBCUniversal executive for brand safety. While X still faces challenges from lingering advertiser skepticism, this development suggests progress in restoring the platform's ad business, which historically accounted for over 90% of its revenue.