Exciting Changes Coming to Twitter: A New Era of Features!
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The New Twitter Experience
Twitter has recently reintroduced its Blue check mark feature after a challenging initial rollout. The first attempt was marred by impersonators claiming to be notable figures like George W. Bush, former Prime Minister Tony Blair, and even the Nintendo game company. The revamped version aims to implement safeguards to prevent such hijinks. Subscribers to 'Twitter Blue' can now enjoy perks like an edit button, the capability to upload longer videos, reduced ad exposure, and increased visibility for their posts.
Enhanced Character Limits
In a significant update, Elon Musk has announced that Twitter will expand its character limit from 280 to an astonishing 4000 characters. This change is akin to writing a brief article directly on Twitter. While some users welcome this enhancement, others express concerns that it may lead Twitter to resemble Facebook—something many users are keen to avoid. Despite the mixed feelings, Musk has confirmed that this alteration is on the way, and the impacts will be observed once implemented.
Monetizing Content on Twitter
The increased character limit may be part of a broader strategy to monetize the platform. On November 5, Musk tweeted about plans for “creator monetization across all content types.” However, details remain vague at this point. It’s expected that monetization features might be included as part of 'Twitter Blue', but the specifics on how this will operate are yet to be revealed.
Freedom of Speech Initiatives
Musk has consistently advocated for reducing excessive censorship on Twitter, promoting the idea of free speech. He has shared instances where public figures were silenced by the platform's moderators, which he argues hindered balanced discourse and public knowledge. In line with this commitment, Twitter's policy against sharing misinformation related to COVID-19 was discontinued at the end of November, which some believe exposes users to false information concerning the virus and vaccines. Personally, I think it would have been better to maintain some level of restriction on misinformation.
Legal Challenges Ahead
Currently, Twitter faces a lawsuit from former employees who allege that during Musk’s extensive layoffs, staff unable to commit to “long hours at high intensity” were let go. This decision has disproportionately impacted women, who often juggle primary caregiving responsibilities. In the most recent layoffs, 57% of the dismissed employees were women, compared to 47% of male employees.
Conclusion
To summarize, Twitter is now offering:
- New attractive features for 'Twitter Blue' subscribers
- An upcoming character limit expansion to 4000 characters
- Plans for monetizing content on the platform
- An increase in misinformation, especially regarding COVID-19
- A lawsuit raising questions about gender equality in layoffs
Stay alert, as these changes unfold along with legal drama on the horizon.
Source - Sky News: Paid Blue Ticks Relaunch, Twitter Drops COVID Misinformation Policy, Women Disproportionately Affected by Layoffs © Susie Kearley 2022. All Rights Reserved.
For more insights, check out my articles on Twitter Monetization and the Future of Social Media!