Launched in 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams, Twitter’s popularity has consistently increased, and it proudly occupies its position in the top 10 best apps of all time. Within six years only, the application software became so sought-after that more than 100 million people tweeted 340 million tweets in one day only. It can be accessed through a website interface or application software for all registered users to read, tweet, and reply, but the unregistered ones can only enjoy reading them. “We did it!” tweets Kamala Harris on their presidential win. And within seconds, the small yet historic message spread like wildfire. Thanks to Twitter, the powerful microblogging site used today by the masses. As of 2019, the number of active users on the app were 321 million, and the statistics are rising, with millions more rushing to tweet from their accounts.

Features

Many user-interface features of Twitter reciprocate with its positive traction. The first being its unique logo. Twitter changed its logo two times before the famous bird logo came into being. The bluebird became so popular that the Twitter handle was removed by then designer Douglas Bowman in 2012, and the ultimate style statement was born. The simplicity in the design represents what Twitter is about; clarity, to-the-point narrative, and directness. Today, any message with the bluebird asserts its prominence.

Twitter kept using Helvetica Neue as its official font till 2013. On 30th May 2014, Twitter announced the change in its font from Helvetica Neue to Gotham. The Gotham font inspired by architectural signs of the mid-twentieth century was not a favorite among users due to its blockier nature. Twitter then decided to take a U-turn and go back to the initial Helvetica Neue, which will provide ‘speed and readability’ according to Twitter. The tweets work like any other post on other social media sites, but the content is short and head-on. The tweet could consist of 140 characters initially, but twitter doubled this limit to 280 characters in 2017. The app’s format consists of hashtags, usernames, tweets, retweets, and replies.

An important feature is the ‘trending topic.’ The trending topic can either be a word, a phrase, or any news that gets the most popular among the users. This feature helps develop statistical data of most to least popular events in a given period. However, this feature has some drawbacks as concerted efforts and manipulations can influence these trends. Though Twitter has altered the algorithm for trends, its success rate has been low. Another quirky and winsome feature is Twitter Polling. If you’re unsure between your options, put an engaging poll, and the interested brigade will decide for you within 24 hours. Twitter users also use polls to let their followers vote on their content, ask for predictions, or to get valuable feedback for their business.

The hottest, most virally trending video streaming app, Periscope, was so successful in driving traffic to its interface that it surpassed 10 million followers in only four months. Seeing and acknowledging the trend, Twitter bought Periscope in 2015, betting that personal video live-streaming would complement its leading social service. A new feature that Twitter launched in 2020 is the Twitter Fleets. It is like a WhatsApp/Instagram story kind of characteristic, and the fleets will disappear from the story after 24 hours. Twitter has also enabled users to share their tweets directly on Snapchat in December 2020 and work towards involving Instagram.

Benefits

Twitter’s target audience varies with more people in the range of 18 to 30 years old. Twitter is considered the most professional platform to promote your talent or business due to the large user base, including your potential customers. Twitter hashtags allow for distraction-free access to your desired products and services. The public nature of this interaction can help the audience see the positivity and authenticity of your work. But a potential challenge arises here due to fake or negative reviews. Open negative criticism can prove to be a pitfall.

Another benefit twitter provides with the click of a button is access to experts in your field. You can even interact with your ideals and follow their work through links, blog posts, and journals. You can also contribute to discussions on diverse projects and events, especially those you cannot be present with in-person. It helps you keep up-to-date about the latest developments just by scrolling through an app. Its quick algorithm feeds you with juicy scraps of news, politics, activities, and trends to keep everyone hooked.

Pros

For students, amateurs, and beginners, the idea of expressing oneself in a limited word count through a platform with rapid audience boost is exemplary, and Twitter provides just that, but the real dare is keeping up. However, you can also be persecuted for your Twitter updates owing to the terms and conditions. The recent suspension of Donald Trump’s account is a notable example.
Privacy is the first basic need that a customer demands from a web owner. Twitter also advocates for its excellent privacy standards. It collects essential information and shares them with third parties within the limits of the privacy policy.

Cons

Despite its intact security terms, some security breaches have happened in Twitter’s good history. In 2009, 33 high-profile Twitter accounts were breached, and tweets related to malicious content and drug-related information started spreading through them. As a result, Twitter introduced the concept of ‘verified accounts’ with a blue mark that allowed people with public profiles to announce their real account names.

At another account in 2010, the Federal Trade Commission FTC charged Twitter for another security breach. Twitter also got in hot waters when the news about fake Twitter followers increased politicians’ and celebrities’ popularity spread like wildfire in 2012. Twitter has, however, installed malware protection software from time to time, and the tensions regarding its privacy have been settled.

Twitter does not require you to use real names. This aspect is encouraging for people who want confidentiality or to use quirky account names. But this poses a significant threat as fake accounts carrying illegal and hateful content can reach you. In 2019, Twitter removed more than five thousand accounts for suspicious activity and violated manipulation policies. Twitter has also partnered with Ballotpedia to ensure the authenticity of US presidential candidates. A striking feature of Twitter is that it is formulated to function as a sensor for earthquakes and other natural disasters like bushfires. However, its use in tracking epidemics and their spread is still under research.

Conclusion

Twitter is considered a dark horse of social media. Many people still find it very formal and don’t utilize it. It is more like an enigma. One who indulges in it; it becomes an addiction for him. If you are a ‘must know all the latest trends and news’ kind of person, Twitter is the catchall explanation. Also, if you want a modern handle for your aesthetic blog article, Twitter is your answer. Many research articles prove that Twitter enhanced many students’ ability and critical thinking and improved their motivation and engagement through its non-traditional teaching approach. So, Twitter will give you decentralized news, an unorthodox mentoring system, a vast opportunity window, inspirations for your new business, and a meeting point of cultures.