Twitter announced last Thursday, June 15th, 2017, that it will be making changes to their platform to make it “lighter, faster, and easier to use.”
Many of the changes came about because of user feedback, said Grace Kim, Twitter’s head of user research and design. For example, first-time users often were confused by the reply icon (that left-turn-looking arrow below tweets), so they’ve replaced that symbol with the more familiar speech bubble, as used by Instagram. Kim wrote in a blog post:
“We listened closely and kept what you love. And for the things you didn’t, we took a new approach to fix and make better.”
Here are the biggest changes you should be aware of:
- Tweets seen on smartphones and Tweetdeck will now update instantly with Reply, Retweet and Like counts changing in real time. “Twitter has always been strongest when it is being used as a platform for real-time content and conversation, and being able to see retweets and replies as they happen is a key part of this overall mission.”
- Some tabs at the bottom of the page have been replaced with a new side navigation menu, a new typeface and more familiar icons.
- More links to articles and websites in iOS’ Safari browser, so users can access accounts on websites they’re already signed into.
- Sleeker typography and more bold headlines to help you see what’s happening.
- Rounded user profile photos instead of the square profile.
Twitter’s changes can be seen as a nod to its competition, most notably Instagram, to attract more millennials and keep their reputation as instantaneous, real-time news, information and conversation feed.
With a B.S. degree in Marketing from Indiana University, an extensive background in social media and marketing in the financial services industry, as well as being a licensed financial advisor for 19 years, Theresa brings a unique perspective to her role. She has walked in her clients’ shoes and has an insightful understanding of their goals and concerns.