FANS OF THE US version of X Factor will now be able to vote for their favourite act via social networks, including Twitter and Facebook.

From next week, viewers can boost their favourite act by sending a DM to the official @TheXFactorUSA Twitter account, making the show the first to use the social network as a voting mechanism.

And just to make sure everything is fair, the votes will be limited to 50 per user account.

X Factor producers have worked with Twitter management to set up the voting system, using a variation of the usual arrangement where the X Factor account will not have to follow users in order to receive their DMs.

The show will still allow fans to vote using phone calls and texts. As well as Twitter, they can also use Facebook and the Xtra Factor Android app.

Judge Simon Cowell told the BBC: “It’s a sign of the times. Sites like Twitter and Facebook give [the audience] a much bigger voice.”

Twitter are hoping that the move will create more buzz around the social network. Spokesperson Chloe Madden told Mashable that they were “thrilled” at the move, adding that X Factor are “push[ing] the envelope” in voting mechanisms.