Twitter to dump its 140 character restriction?

The limit of 140 characters on Twitter is destined to disappear, and may potentially be extended to an incredibly lengthy 10,000 characters, as reported by Re/code.

“So what does that equate to in words?!” you may cry. That’s probably the length of a 2,000 word essay!

Why oh why, Twitter?!

The project, which currently is called “Beyond 140”  aims to increase the time users spend on the social network, so that they are not “forced” to click on a link every time they want to access more information about a tweet that may interest them.

In an attempt to avoid sending current active users into hysteria and maintain a consistent user experience, the tweet will show only first 140 characters… and if there is more, a “read more” button will appear allowing the user to view any extended content.

On one hand, the shift may be a welcomed move to anyone that struggles to stick to a 140 cap when trying to express an idea or opinion, and may favour a more carefree, and lengthy form of expression, like updating your status on other popular networks such as Facebook and LinkedIn. But by doing so, will Twitter lose what sets it apart from these platforms – a quick to read and concise channel we’ve grown to love?

Here are just a few reactions to #Twitter10k:

https://twitter.com/graemeknows/status/684843720110374912

Are there any positives to such drastic move?

Despite such strong and emotional reactions from fellow loyal tweeps, we do foresee some positives.

  • More characters mean more data and richer insight into your target audience, allowing you to create and serve content that’s relevant
  • Improved customer relations via Twitter as a result of being able to effectively articulate a solution to a query or complaint

However, it is the 140 character limit that is Twitter’s main USP. By extending the character limit of tweets, the user experience will become little different to the likes of Facebook or Tumblr. Gauging from the scathing reactions on the internet, many Twitter users will be turned-off by streams of long-winded posts… after all, “ain’t nobody got time for that”.

What are your thoughts on Twitter’s controversial plans for a 10,000-character limit?

Latest Posts

Truth on Fire, and Brands Are in the Line of It We’re all in the truth business now. At Somerset House, on a chilly evening in June, I joined a panel to unpack the uncomfortable realities of misinformation and disinformation, and what brands can do about it. The session was…
Read More
Yes, that is me being a bit obvious, but sometimes you need to be a bit blunt.  Social is where buyers research, where conversion journeys begin, and where measurable business outcomes are shaped. And yet too often, it’s still seen as secondary to ‘real’ marketing. This newsletter edition…
Read More
Reddit may have been in the shadows of other social platforms for years – in fact, the debate is on as to whether it’s a social platform at all – but one thing is for sure, the B2B buyer and marketeer are finding it a safe haven for research and…
Read More