Twitter has gone back to its controversial change to promote algorithm-powered feeds. The social media platform reversed its announcement barely four days after the official change, following backlash from users.
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Not surprisingly, this isn’t the first time Twitter has tried to push algorithmic feeds. Let’s find out why Twitter is desperate to do this.
Twitter reversed its controversial change in feed
On March 10, 2022, Twitter made a significant change to its feed, making it harder for iOS users to switch to the beloved reverse-chronological feed. Twitter has also set the same change to come “soon” in its Android app and on the web.
With the update, Twitter gave top priority to the Home Feed, which is made up of the top Tweets and what the algorithm thinks you might like based on your interests. To access the latest Tweets, you’ll need to pin your latest timeline, so that it appears in its dedicated tab.
According to Twitter, the new changes will make Home (algorithm-driven) and the latest schedule “one swipe away”. However, it appears Twitter users disagreed with the company’s change. After about four days, the company reversed that controversial change, primarily aimed at making its algorithm-powered feeds binding for everyone.
In a Twitter support update, the social media platform said, “We heard you – some of you always want to see the latest tweets first. We’ve switched the timeline back and removed the tabbed experience to explore other options.” ”
Why is Twitter desperate to serve an algorithmic feed?
It is clear by now that social media platforms prefer everyone to use algorithmic feeds. For starters, an algorithmic feed serves up content based on relevance. The relevance of the content depends on what the algorithm likes or might like for you. On the other hand, a reverse-chronological feed shows the latest content from users you follow.
Thankfully, some social media platforms let you choose which one to use. Here’s how to disable algorithmic feeds on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Twitter is trying to force an algorithmic-powered feed down its users’ throats, but it hasn’t been successful. It begs you to ask why the company is so desperate to promote its algorithmic feed in the first place.
The main reason Twitter and other social media platforms love an algorithmic feed is because it connects you to their platform. In fact, that is the primary purpose behind social media algorithms. It lies in how social media algorithms work.
Social media algorithms capitalize on the fact that you’ll stay longer if you see related content. Anything that doesn’t reinforce your beliefs definitely won’t show up.
So, as you may have already noticed, if you like a tweet under a given topic, you will see more of them. It’s no surprise – that’s how Twitter tunes its algorithms.
And the longer you stay, the more you will be served by ads and the more money these platforms will make. Additionally, Twitter and every other social media platform has made it easy for you to come back through this model.
In this way, they retain their current active users and attract even more. Ultimately, this leads to more ad impressions and more revenue for them.
retrieve your twitter feed
For Twitter and other social media platforms—an algorithmic feed is better than a reverse-chronological one. Twitter’s obsession with an algorithmic feed is based on how the company benefits from adding more users.
But as long as there’s an option to view the reverse-chronological feed, you should be using it on Twitter because, like many people, you probably want to see the latest tweets.