(-1 Character)… But I need that emoji to show just how frustrated I am about the ending of the Dark Knight Rises!
We’ve all be in a similar position, whereby we have to grudgingly go back and edit out words and re-phrase what we are trying to say due to the 140 character limit on Twitter. However all this could be changing as Twitter is currently conducting a trial that will double its character count – from the default of 140 to 280.
Its not available for every user just yet as it is currently only in trial version by Twitter. Nonetheless, a number of tech savvy individuals have already discovered a workaround to get longer tweets a little earlier. Follow the simple steps below if your interested in increasing your character count to 280:
- Download Tampermonkey for your browser: Chrome webstore link
- Visit this Github repository, click the “raw” button, then tell tampermonkey to “install” the script
- Now visit Twitter, make sure the script in running in Tampermonkey, then tweet away
So why the change? It may seem a comparatively small change, but its another indication that Twitter is moving closer to features that rivals offer (e.g Facebook and Instagram). Twitter in turn have gradually offered greater flexibility and opportunities for users by including the ability to add images, links and videos to a tweet. They are also very aware of the impact and advantages it could offer to Brands and Companies looking to advertise on their platform.
Aliza Rosen, Twitter’s product manager and Ikuhiro Ihara, the senior software engineer posted an interesting contradiction to the character limit:
‘Twitter is about brevity. It’s what makes it such a great way to see what’s happening. Tweets get right to the point with the information or thoughts that matter. That is something we will never change.’
You can read the full Twitter update on their blog by clicking here.
It’s important for Twitter to stay distinctive and innovative and with that the 140 character limitation has long gone. Some may say that Twitter is treading a fine line between success and failure, what do you think?
If you have any thoughts or additional tips, join in the conversation in the comments section, subscribe to our blog for free, or simply click here to arrange a FREE Consultancy meeting, send me an email at Nick@CFMGroup.co.uk or Follow me below on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram
