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 up to now 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 ‘House’ timeline and ‘Newest’ tweets.
Why?
As a result of folks hated the ‘House’ timeline strategy, which saved exhibiting them outdated tweets, tweets from people who they don’t comply with, tweets appreciated by their connections, and so on. As Twitter notes, the suggestions was clear – customers don’t need different timelines, they need the principle feed to be the newest tweets.
We heard you –– a few of you at all times wish 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 Help (@TwitterSupport) March 14, 2022
Appears that Elon and Co. haven’t uncovered this suggestions as they comb by means of outdated Twitter docs, in order that they’re rolling out once more, as ‘new Twitter navigation’.
Genius.
Look, there’s some worth in making it as straightforward as attainable to change between the algorithm-defined feed and the timeline of tweets from folks that you simply comply with, in chronological order. Over the past month, Twitter has been making an attempt to push a wider vary of content material into the principle feed, so as to broaden tweet discovery, which has usually simply irritated folks, 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 folks’s feeds.
As a result of as TikTok has proven, AI-based suggestions, if you will get them proper, can drive increased engagement and retention. Twitter’s algorithm shouldn’t be there but, however Twitter desires to make sure that customers maintain that algo feed energetic, because it seeks to enhance its methods, and hopefully, maximize engagement by exhibiting extra folks extra stuff that they’ll like within the app.
As such, you may anticipate that Twitter will nonetheless proceed to open to the present feed of adopted and advisable content material – however a easy side-swipe will take you to the expertise that you simply really need.
Which isn’t what folks need, as they clearly said when it was first launched. However once more, that is the best way with Twitter 2.0, a rehashing of outdated ideas and checks that Elon wasn’t conscious of once they have been first trialed, in order that they’re new to him. And he sacked the general public that would 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 checks have been deserted for a motive, so it won’t be one of the best technique. Nevertheless it positive is completely different.
