Do you remember logging onto Twitter last month to find Twitter completely changed the way you favourite a tweet?
Ok, it wasn’t a significant change, but it was noticeable: the favourite icon was replaced by the all too familiar heart.
By now, you’re probably used to the change. You may have even forgotten the change happened, but we wanted to find out what motive was behind the Twitter swap.
It’s easier to understand
The favourite existed for a few reasons:
- It enticed users to literally favourite a quirky tweet or comment;
- It gave users the opportunity to bookmark the tweet to read a link later;
- It’s a way to essentially support the author by favouriting what they’re saying, indicating you agree.
People who have been using Twitter for years have grown to understand how the favourite works. It was established in 2006, around the same time Twitter was born, enabling users to get used to it and use it in ways they saw fit. That doesn’t mean, however that all social media users got it, hence the change.
- Why a heart
A heart is symbolic and a widespread recognizable icon, more so than a star. This universal symbol is understood across all generations, cultures and languages, which according to Twitter, makes it a better fit for its purpose.
- The change wasn’t out of the blue
It seemed like one day we were favouriting tweets and liking them the next, but it wasn’t an overnight decision for Twitter. In fact, the social media giant had spent time researching and testing the replacement of favourites with likes as far back as 2012.
Tests confirmed the heart was in the running to replace the beloved star because it was used more often as opposed to the star.
Here’s what Twitter had to say on its blog:
“We want to make Twitter easier and more rewarding to use, and we know that at times the star could be confusing, especially to newcomers. You might like a lot of things, but not everything can be your favourite.”
- It’s consistent with other popular social media channels
Those who have been using social media for years recognize the ‘like’ not because it’s a universal symbol, but for the simple fact that it’s found on other social media mediums like Instagram and Periscope.
Facebook has its own ‘like’ button, but not in the form of a heart.
- Will it entice new users?
Although testing began in 2012, the need for change became more apparent this year because Twitter has been struggling to recruit new users. Since Twitter wanted to make its platform more user-friendly, the change seemed like a smart move.
But will it have an impact on the new users Twitter desires?
According to a study by FiveThirtyEight, hearts are among the most popular emojis on Twitter. It’s also one of the most commonly used emojis ever, so it’s a logical step. That familiarity can ease the transition into the social media world for newcomers. Will you be one of them?
Intact Marketing can introduce you to Twitter
Maybe you’re new to the Twitter world, or have Twitter and don’t know how to operate it. That’s where Intact Marketing comes in. It’s our job to be experts when it comes to social media. We’re here to help you activate social media accounts and manage them for you.
Twitter is one of the most popular networking sites and can be a very useful tool in helping you grow your business. After all, your competitors are likely on Twitter right now.
Rather than spend your free time trying to understand Twitter and identify how to use it to grow your business, let us do the work. We’ll manage your profile and help you gather more followers so your business can develop an online reputation.
We have a variety of packages and plans that will suit your needs. Visit our website for an overview and to learn more about how we can work for you.
With the many social media channels, rules and changes, it’s hard to keep up. That’s why Intact Marketing is here.