This week Twitter rolled out four updates, including new ways to react to tweets, new ways to write tweets, and more.
Many of these features are in beta, but if they prove successful, they could be rolled out more widely.
New features include:
- Twitter reaction video
- a new composer bar
- hashtag bar
- An easier way to share your Twitter community with others
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Below is more information about these features.
1. Twitter reaction video
Twitter is testing tweet reaction videos on iOS.
Officially known as “Tweet Takes,” these reactions can be used as an alternative to citing tweets.
The feature feels like it was directly inspired by TikTok video replies, and it does exactly the same thing.
Tweet reaction videos are now available on Twitter!
Tested on iOS: When you tap the retweet icon, select “Quote Tweet & React” to create and customize your own Tweet Shot – a video (or photo) of the reaction that embeds the Tweet. pic.twitter.com/1E30F8rKYh
— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) January 6, 2022
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Tweet Takes has launched a test on iOS that allows users to choose to create a video or a photo when quoting a tweet.
Traditional quote tweets are still available as an option.
Twitter product team member Sam Haveson shared an example of a Tweet Take in response to the Tweet Takes announcement.
We want to give you more creative ways to join the conversation and express yourself on Twitter. Starting today, we’re rolling out a test on iOS that gives you the option to quote a Tweet with a reaction video (or photo) using your own Tweet Take.
This is my opinion👇🏻📸 https://t.co/RLolp062GA pic.twitter.com/21qlYk2hh5
— Sam Haverson (@samhaves) January 6, 2022
If you’re part of a test group, you’ll see an option to “quote a tweet and react to it” after clicking the retweet icon.
Twitter isn’t the first or only social media platform to replicate responses to TikTok videos.
Last month, Instagram started allowing users to reply to comments on posts through Reels, itself a TikTok clone.
Time will tell if the feature catches on, or if it develops like Twitter’s short-lived Fleets.
2. New tweet edit bar
Twitter is rolling out another beta on iOS, making it easier to tweet with a new composition bar that you can easily access online.
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The new tweet editor bar appears directly above the bottom navigation menu and replaces the large blue button with the plus sign that was previously used to compose tweets.
With the new composer bar above the bottom navigation menu, we can start tweeting more easily. Now testing on iOS with some of you. pic.twitter.com/jXb260Gm08
— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) January 6, 2022
Twitter User Researcher Cody Elam Indicates that it is testing based on feedback the company has heard from users:
“Based on our research, a lot of people tell us, ‘It’s hard to tweet. “One of the issues we’ve heard is that Twitter’s mechanics make it difficult for new users to get started.”
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Elam went on to say that when a new user signs up, it’s not immediately obvious how to start tweeting.
The blue button isn’t familiar to everyone, so Twitter is testing something more generally recognized, like a text box.
If the new composer bar gets more people to tweet, the change could roll out more widely.
3. The hashtag bar
As Matt Navarra discovered, Twitter is working on a hashtag bar on iOS.
Presumably, this will allow people to jump directly to the topics they are most interested in.
Twitter is working on a hashtag bar on iOS
HT @chloekorzh pic.twitter.com/QzE2wV6YFP
— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) January 4, 2022
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4. Share the community with your followers
Twitter is introducing a way to share communities with followers on iOS to get more people to join.
Navigate to the community page in the Twitter app and tap Share. From there you can share with a wider audience or invite individuals directly.
We can now share communities on iOS even easier!
So share them with your followers, supporters, and whoever you think you like pic.twitter.com/17BYtvlJDl
— Twitter Community (@HiCommunities) January 6, 2022
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Featured image: Screenshot from twitter.com/TwitterSupport, January 2022.
