X, formerly known as Twitter, is a free social networking site where users share short posts known as tweets. In tweets, users share content like videos, text, images or links. Twitter X is a micro-blogging site, a perfect combination of blogging and instant messaging. Non-registered Twitter users can only read tweets, while registered users can post, share, like, and reply to tweets with short messages.
History of Twitter X
During the year 2006, Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams built Twitter. The reason behind this launch of Twitter was to interact with small groups of people through short messaging.
Twitter X is known as a short burst of insignificant information and chirps from birds, which explains the aim of social networking on Twitter is to broadcast short and quick information.
Twitter Remarkable:
- In 2012, more than 100 million users post 340 million tweets daily.
- Twitter was in the top 10 of the most visited websites in 2013. At that time, Twitter filed for an Initial public offering (IPO).
- Twitter had more than 330 million daily active users in 2019.
- The CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, Elon Musk, reached an agreement to obtain Twitter for $44 billion to make it a private company in April 2022, and the purchase was done in October 2022.
- In April 2023, Twitter X partnered with eToro, an investing platform, to provide the platform to users to access and trade stocks, cryptocurrencies, and other assets from links to eToro.
What is Twitter Used for?
Twitter X is a social media platform, and its main intention is to connect individuals and allow them to share their thoughts and updates with a large audience. X allows users to discover posts regarding today’s biggest news and events and follow friends and other high-profile accounts. Moreover, PR teams and marketers can use this remarkable platform to increase brand awareness and delight their audience.
Key Features of Twitter X
- Posts (Tweets): Snappy, short, and to the point; posts can be anything. While 280 characters might seem constrictive, this limitation has stimulated creativity and clarity in communication.
- Following and Followers: Unlike Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms emphasizing mutual friendships, Twitter operates on the following mechanism. You can follow anyone, from celebrities to your friends and family, without them necessarily following you back. This one-way road allows users to customize a feed tailored to their interests.
- Engaging Conversations: You can respond to posts, repost them (share them to your profile), or like them. These engagements often inspire dynamic discussions, debates, and even virtual companionship.
- Hashtags and Trends: Twitter X introduced the world to the power of hashtags. This tool categorizes posts, making it easier for people to follow specific topics and discussions. When the particular hashtag gains exclusive attention, it trends, indicating its popularity and significance at any given time.
- Direct Messaging: Twitter is typically public but offers private communication channels. You can engage in direct conversations with other users via the DM (Direct Messaging) feature, allowing for more close or confidential discussions.
Changes to Twitter Since Musk’s Takeover
Since Elon Musk took control of Twitter in October 2022, he has made many changes to the company, including an official legal name and logo to change X Corp. Some other significant changes include:
- X Premium: Another name for a Twitter premium subscription is Twitter Blue, which offers additional features to the account. A blue checkmark marks available for everyone who avails of its premium services. Its pricing starts at $8 monthly or $84 yearly. Furthermore, premium features include editing or retracting a tweet, seeing 50% fewer ads, sharing tweets up to 10,000 characters, selecting features in the navigation bar, NFT display pictures, prioritized rankings, two-factor authentication, and selecting colorful themes for the app’s appearance.
- Company Smart Sizing: Since October 2022, the second richest person in the world, Musk, has reduced Twitter X staff by about 80%, which is approximately 6,000 employees. Before the acquisition, the organization had around 8,000 employees, and as of April 2023, there are around 1,500 employees after the smart sizing.
- Twitter feed Views: Users can now choose which tweets they want to see in their timeline between recommended tweets by Twitter X or the latest tweets from accounts users follow.
- Reinstatement of controversial accounts: Elon Musk brought back some high-profile accounts after his takeover, including Donald Trump, the former President of the US, rapper Ye (Kanye West), and Andrew Tate, an influencer who is in jail in Romania for a human trafficking case. All of these accounts were formerly banned for controversial content.
- Account identification and verification: The blue tick was formerly used in Twitter’s verification method. Now, the marks are silver or gold for brands and government figures. There is also an explainer added stating official business. Celebrities and other public figures can only keep their blue tick mark if they are members of Twitter Premium to prove the authenticity of the account.
- Encrypted direct messages: Verified users can able to send encrypted messages to other verified users or companies. The encrypted messages are protected by an algorithm to quickly move information so only the sender and receiver can read it. To send an encrypted message, eligible users will use the toggle to enable the encrypted mode. This mode has a lock icon.
- Voice and Video Calling Features: Twitter X launched a voice and video calling feature to allow premium users to call other premium users directly from the X platform.
