Topline
Twitter massively expanded its tweet length limit for U.S.-based Twitter Blue subscribers Wednesday, marking just the second time in the company’s 16-year history it has tweaked its character count as it reportedly struggles to attract a paying user base.
The Twitter logo is seen on a sign on the exterior of Twitter headquarters in San Francisco on … [+]
Key Facts
The character limit for subscribers in the U.S. is now 4,000—more than 14 times the existing 280-character limit, which remains in place for all non-subscribers and Twitter Blue users outside of the United States.
Users scrolling through their timelines will see 280-character snippets of lengthy tweets, with an option to expand—similar to formats on other social media platforms, like Facebook.
The move comes just two days after technology news outlet the Information reported Twitter Blue only had about 180,000 subscribers as of mid-January, accounting for less than 0.2% of monthly active users, who pay $8 a month for the service.
Surprising Fact
Twitter’s only other character length expansion came in 2017, when it doubled its initial 140-character limit to 280.
Key Background
Nascent company owner and CEO Elon Musk has repeatedly suggested a significant increase in Twitter Blue users is the only way for Twitter to remain financially solvent in the long-term, warning staff shortly after he took over the company: “Without significant subscription revenue, there is a good chance Twitter will not survive the upcoming economic downturn.” But Musk’s top selling points for Twitter Blue—limited ads, priority replies and a blue verification check mark—do not seem to be connecting for many users. Musk has also largely backed down from an early vow of forcing all users verified prior to his takeover to pay for a subscription to keep their blue check marks. Older verified accounts are now instead tagged as “legacy verified,” and include a disclaimer stating they “may or may not be notable.” Twitter’s financial problems have been compounded by a sizable drop in advertising revenue due to many prominent advertisers pulling funding after Musk loosened some moderation guidelines and reinstated several banned accounts, including former President Donald Trump’s.
Tangent
Musk appeared to spontaneously come up with the $8-a-month price for Twitter Blue subscriptions during a bizarre exchange with horror fiction author Stephen King last year, after King complained about reports that Twitter was considering a $20-per-month subscription. “We need to pay the bills somehow! Twitter cannot rely entirely on advertisers. How about $8?” Musk replied.
Further Reading
Musk’s Twitter Has Just 180,000 U.S. Subscribers, Two Months After Launch (The Information)
Musk Reportedly Bans Remote Work At Twitter And Warns Of ‘Difficult Times’ In Internal Email (Forbes)
Elon Musk Reinstates Donald Trump’s Twitter Account After Asking Users To Vote (Forbes)
Twitter Will Sell Coveted Blue Checkmark For $8 A Month, Musk Says—But Benefits Still Unclear (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2023/02/08/twitter-boosts-character-limit-to-4000-for-twitter-blue-subscribers/