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 this point 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 precise performance in March this 12 months.
Simply 4 days later, Twitter eliminated the choice to swipe between your algorithmically-defined ‘Dwelling’ timeline and ‘Newest’ tweets.
Why?
As a result of folks hated the ‘Dwelling’ timeline strategy, which saved displaying them outdated tweets, tweets from people who they don’t observe, tweets appreciated by their connections, and many others. As Twitter notes, the suggestions was clear – customers don’t need different timelines, they need the primary feed to be the most recent 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Appears that Elon and Co. haven’t uncovered this suggestions as they comb by means of outdated Twitter docs, so that they’re rolling out once more, as ‘new Twitter navigation’.
Genius.
Look, there may be some worth in making it as simple as potential to modify between the algorithm-defined feed and the timeline of tweets from folks that you simply observe, in chronological order. Over the past month, Twitter has been attempting to push a wider vary of content material into the primary feed, as a way 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 consumer 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 isn’t there but, however Twitter needs to make sure that customers preserve that algo feed lively, because it seeks to enhance its methods, and hopefully, maximize engagement by displaying extra folks extra stuff that they’ll like within the app.
As such, you’ll be able to count on that Twitter will nonetheless proceed to open to the present feed of adopted and beneficial 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 assessments that Elon wasn’t conscious of once they had been first trialed, so that they’re new to him. And he sacked the general public 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 assessments had been deserted for a purpose, so it won’t be one of the best technique. But it surely certain is completely different.