Twitter New Feature
Twitter is testing a new feature allowing users to create “notes” that enable up to 2,500 words per tweet. The standard limit is 280 characters, making this new test more applicable.
Fact | Details |
---|---|
Topic | Twitter’s New Feature: 2,500 Character Limit |
Current Character Limit | 280 characters |
Purpose of Increase | Enabling detailed discourse, improving user experience |
Potential Impact | Changes in platform dynamics, user behaviour, marketing strategies |
The new update allows users to insert up to 2,500 words of text, photos, videos, and GIFs into posts that can be written, shared, and shared on Twitter. The Comments tab appears as a tweet on the Twitter timeline with a preview of the longest post.
The test will run for two months with a small writer from Canada, Ghana, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
“Since the company’s inception, the authors have relied on Twitter to share their work, view, read, and talk — nothing but writing,” the company said when it announced the new Note product.
- The notes refer to filling in the blanks.
Twitter wants to keep users in the app instead of relying on external sources. Instead, Twitter wants people to read everything on the platform.
Expert Statement
Social media expert Dr. Laura Toogood says the process is an essential step for Twitter. She said this feature encourages people to stay on the platform instead of referring to other sites that store long content.
“Adding this extra capability means Twitter can now compete with some of the more popular blogging platforms and potentially attract new audiences and different types of users,” she added.
The Rationale Behind the Character Limit Increase
There are several potential reasons why Twitter is considering such a drastic change:
Detailed Discourse
Twitter has evolved from a microblogging platform to a hub for discourse on critical issues like politics, climate change, and social justice. A higher character limit could foster more nuanced, detailed discussions.
Improved User Experience
Longer posts can reduce the need for extended tweet threads, making information easier to digest for users. This could lead to a smoother user experience.
Competition with Other Platforms
The new limit would put Twitter on par with platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn regarding post length, potentially making it more competitive in the social media landscape.
Impact on User Behaviour
A significant character limit increase could drastically affect how people use Twitter:
More In-Depth Posts
Users might post more in-depth content, making Twitter a platform for extended essays, think pieces, and comprehensive discussions.
Changes in Reading Habits
With longer posts, users might treat Twitter more like a blog or news site, possibly changing the platform’s “scroll-and-skim” reading habits.
Implications for Marketers and Businesses
Marketers and businesses should closely watch this development, as it could affect their social media strategies:
More Space for Brand Messaging
A larger character limit provides more space to articulate brand messages, explain products, or share customer stories, offering richer brand communication.
Changes in Engagement Metrics
Longer posts could lead to longer dwell times but might also reduce the overall number of posts viewed per session. This could alter engagement metrics and require adjustments to social media strategies.
Twitter and Brevity: A Historic Overview
Launched in 2006, Twitter quickly gained popularity for its simplicity and brevity, initially enforcing a strict 140-character limit. This short format encouraged users to get straight to the point, leading to rapid-fire exchanges that were easy to consume.
In 2017, Twitter doubled the limit to 280 characters, allowing users to express more complex thoughts without significantly changing the platform’s fundamental dynamic. The proposed increase to a 2,500-character limit represents a significant departure from the platform’s historic ethos.
Meanwhile, Twitter is in the middle of USD 44 billion by Tesla Inc.