Elon Musk’s ‘Twitter 2.0’ actually ought to actually be titled ‘Twitter 1.5’, as a result of none of his touted ‘new’ additions to date are literally new in any respect, they’re all simply variations of previous Twitter experiments, which Elon’s then re-pitching as upgrades, as he foists them upon the platform’s customers.
Musk’s newest ‘new’ addition is that this:
Sound acquainted? That’s as a result of Twitter really launched this actual performance in March this yr.
Simply 4 days later, Twitter eliminated the choice to swipe between your algorithmically-defined ‘Residence’ timeline and ‘Newest’ tweets.
Why?
As a result of individuals hated the ‘Residence’ timeline method, which stored displaying them previous tweets, tweets from those who they don’t comply with, tweets favored by their connections, and so on. As Twitter notes, the suggestions was clear – customers don’t need various timelines, they need the primary feed to be the newest tweets.
We heard you –– a few of you all the time need to see newest Tweets first. We have switched the timeline again and eliminated the tabbed expertise for now whereas we discover different choices. https://t.co/euVcPr9ij6
— Twitter Assist (@TwitterSupport) March 14, 2022
Appears that Elon and Co. haven’t uncovered this suggestions as they comb by means of previous Twitter docs, so that they’re rolling out once more, as ‘new Twitter navigation’.
Genius.
Look, there’s some worth in making it as simple as attainable to modify between the algorithm-defined feed and the timeline of tweets from individuals that you just comply with, in chronological order. During the last month, Twitter has been attempting to push a wider vary of content material into the primary feed, so as to develop tweet discovery, which has usually simply aggravated individuals, and due to this, Twitter will probably be hoping that this recycled side-swipe navigation will negate person frustration, whereas additionally enabling it to proceed pushing extra tweets into individuals’s feeds.
As a result of as TikTok has proven, AI-based suggestions, if you will get them proper, can drive larger engagement and retention. Twitter’s algorithm isn’t there but, however Twitter desires to make sure that customers maintain that algo feed energetic, because it seeks to enhance its programs, and hopefully, maximize engagement by displaying extra individuals extra stuff that they’ll like within the app.
As such, you’ll be able to anticipate that Twitter will nonetheless proceed to open to the present feed of adopted and really helpful content material – however a easy side-swipe will take you to the expertise that you just really need.
Which isn’t what individuals need, as they clearly acknowledged when it was first launched. However once more, that is the way in which with Twitter 2.0, a rehashing of previous ideas and exams that Elon wasn’t conscious of once they have been first trialed, so that they’re new to him. And he sacked most people that might have defined to him why they didn’t work out initially.
However you do have to offer Elon and Co. credit score for one factor – they’re doing issues in a different way. Whereas most different apps are copying one another, Twitter is copying itself.
I imply, the unique exams have been deserted for a cause, so it may not be the very best technique. However it positive is completely different.
