Twitter has announced an exciting new enhancement for its Blue subscribers – the ability to compose tweets of up to 4,000 characters, a significant departure from the conventional 280-character limit. This expansion of the platform’s tweeting capabilities is part of Twitter’s strategy to attract new subscribers and retain existing ones, with subscription fees of $8 per month for Android users and $11 for iPhone users.
Twitter emphasizes that this new long-form tweeting feature is exclusively available to Blue subscribers, however, every Twitter user will have the ability to read these extended tweets. To accommodate this, a tweet’s initial 280 characters will appear on the timeline, with an option to “Show more” for those wishing to view the full 4,000 characters.
As for why long-form tweets are a superior alternative to threads, Twitter states:
We understand that many users require more than 280 characters to effectively convey their thoughts and ideas. While we appreciate the value of a well-crafted thread, there are times when you simply want to Tweet everything in a single post. With this in mind, we’re introducing longer Tweets. You won’t want to miss out on this new addition to our platform.
need more than 280 characters to express yourself?
we know that lots of you do… and while we love a good thread, sometimes you just want to Tweet everything all at once. we get that.
so we’re introducing longer Tweets! you’re gonna want to check this out. tap this 👉… https://t.co/lge9udRzLE
— Twitter Blue (@TwitterBlue) February 8, 2023
To ensure a seamless reading experience, Twitter has implemented a 280-character cap on the first section of long-form tweets in the timeline, with the remainder accessible via the “Show more” prompt. Furthermore, even non-subscribers can reply to, retweet, and quote long-form tweets, with Blue subscribers enjoying the added advantage of being able to reply and quote with up to 4,000 characters.
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Conclusion
Twitter’s introduction of long-form tweeting for Blue subscribers represents a major step forward in the evolution of the platform and provides users with a more comprehensive and expressive way of communicating their thoughts and ideas. The ability for all users to read and interact with these longer tweets, regardless of their subscription status, reinforces Twitter’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and engaging community. Whether you’re a casual user or a social media enthusiast, the new long-form tweeting feature is sure to add a new dimension to the Twitter experience.
