Twitter's Testing a 280 Character Limit

Twitter is testing expanding the text limit on its service from 140 characters to 280 characters. The feature will allow users double the existing character amount. It said the goal is to eliminate the constraints that people face while tweeting. Also, the makers hope that this move will help people tweet more often.

According to Twitter’s internal research, one of the things that stop people from tweeting more frequently is the stringent limit on character count. People who post in Asian languages which allow expression of more thoughts in fewer characters, tweet more, Twitter found. 

“When people don’t have to cram their thoughts into 140 characters and actually have some to spare, we see more people tweeting,” Twitter said in a blog post.

Twitter has been going through growing pains. It has 328 million users but isn’t growing its user base fast enough, leaving its investors to become concerned. The slow user growth has also negatively impacted the company’s revenue.

Some loyal Twitter users may not be happy about the new rule, and Twitter anticipates that.

“We understand since many of you have been tweeting for years, there may be an emotional attachment to 140 characters. But we tried this, saw the power of what it will do, and fell in love with this new, still brief, constraint,” the company said.

So, Twitter will begin its experimentation of this new character limit in small groups around the world. It is reported that the 280-character test will roll out in all languages except for Chinese, Japanese and Korean.It has not said when it will roll out the feature to all its users. The people who will get to use the new feature will be randomly selected.

I’m so excited to be part of @Twitter’s #280characters rollout. Let me just say it’s an honor and a privilege. I’d like to thank my wonderf

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) September 27, 2017

“Tweets get right to the point with the information or thoughts that matter. That is something we will never change,” Twitter said about its new limit.

But many loyal Twitter users have already started speaking out against the new rule:

literally my only talent was being able to think of tweets exactly 140 characters long. i don't know if I will be able to alter this to 280.

— chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) September 26, 2017

Getting mad at @Twitter for testing #280characters just discourages them from trying new and better things… #ChangeAversion

— James Damore (@JamesADamore) September 27, 2017

Also Read: 12 Tips to Boost Your Brand on Twitter