Twitter

Definition

Twitter is a popular microblogging and social networking service where users post and interact with messages known as “tweets.” Registered users can post, like, retweet tweets, but unregistered users can only read them. Initially, tweets were restricted to 140 characters, mirroring the length of text messages, but this limit was doubled to 280 characters in 2017.

Examples

Breaking News: Media outlets often use Twitter to disseminate breaking news quickly. For example, during disaster situations, Twitter serves as a platform for rapid information dissemination.
Marketing Campaigns: Businesses use Twitter for marketing purposes, promoting products, engaging with customers, and launching campaigns like hashtag challenges. For example, popular brands like Nike and Starbucks frequently leverage Twitter for their marketing strategies.
Celebrity Updates: Celebrities and public figures use Twitter to share personal updates and interact with fans. For example, notable personalities like Elon Musk and Taylor Swift have massive followings and frequently use the platform to share thoughts and updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of Twitter?

Twitter serves both as a social networking site and a news dissemination platform where users can post updates, share information quickly, and engage with a broad audience in real-time.

How do hashtags work on Twitter?

Hashtags (#) allow users to categorize tweets and make it easier for others to find content on a specific topic. By clicking on a hashtag, users can see all tweets that include that tag.

Who can see my tweets?

Your tweets can be seen by anyone unless you set your account to private. In that case, only your approved followers can see your tweets.

Can I edit my tweets on Twitter?

As of now, Twitter does not allow users to edit tweets once they are posted. You would need to delete the tweet and repost it with modifications.

What are retweets?

A retweet is a re-posting of someone else’s tweet. Twitter’s retweet feature helps you and others quickly share that tweet with all of your followers.

Microblogging: A form of blogging that uses short posts and quick updates, often through social media platforms.
Hashtag: A word or phrase preceded by a hash sign (#) used in tweets to indicate a particular topic.
Follower: A person who subscribes to another user’s tweets on Twitter, enabling them to see the user’s tweets in their timeline.
Trending: A term used to describe topics or hashtags that have gained a high level of popularity and discussion on Twitter.
Mention: Including another user’s handle in your tweet to direct a portion of the conversation to them, commonly denoted by the “@” symbol.

Online References

Suggested Books for Further Study

“Twitter Power 3.0: How to Dominate Your Market One Tweet at a Time” by Joel Comm
“The Twitter Book” by Tim O’Reilly and Sarah Milstein
“Twitter Marketing: An Hour a Day” by Hollis Thomases
“Hatching Twitter: A True Story of Money, Power, Friendship, and Betrayal” by Nick Bilton

Fundamentals of Twitter: Communication Technologies Basics Quiz

### What is the original character limit for tweets on Twitter? - [x] 140 characters - [ ] 280 characters - [ ] 100 characters - [ ] 300 characters > **Explanation:** The original character limit for tweets was 140, which matched the length restrictions of text messages at the time. ### What primary purpose do hashtags serve on Twitter? - [ ] Decorating tweets - [x] Categorizing tweets - [ ] Enhancing tweet visibility - [ ] Encrypting tweets > **Explanation:** Hashtags are used to categorize tweets and make it easier for users to find content on specific topics by clicking on the hashtag. ### Can unregistered users post tweets on Twitter? - [ ] Yes, they can post tweets - [x] No, they can only read tweets - [ ] Yes, but with limited functionality - [ ] Yes, but only in private modes > **Explanation:** Unregistered users are allowed to read tweets but cannot post, like, or retweet. ### What happens if you mention a user in your tweet using the "@" symbol? - [ ] You block the user - [ ] You send the user a private message - [ ] You delete the user's account - [x] You direct a portion of the conversation to them > **Explanation:** Mentioning a user with the "@" symbol directs part of your tweet conversation to that user. ### What feature on Twitter allows you to share someone else’s tweet with your followers? - [ ] Liking - [x] Retweeting - [ ] Mentioning - [ ] Quoting > **Explanation:** The retweet feature allows you to share another user's tweet with your own followers, expanding the original tweet’s reach. ### How can you make your tweets visible only to approved followers? - [x] By setting your account to private - [ ] By using specific hashtags - [ ] By not including any links - [ ] By tweeting less frequently > **Explanation:** Setting your account to private makes your tweets visible only to your approved followers. ### What action should be taken if you want to correct a tweet you've already posted? - [x] Delete the tweet and repost it with corrections - [ ] Edit the tweet directly - [ ] Report the tweet as inaccurate - [ ] Add a comment below > **Explanation:** Since Twitter does not currently support tweet editing, you must delete the incorrect tweet and repost it with the needed corrections. ### What is a 'trending' topic on Twitter? - [x] A topic or hashtag that has gained sudden popularity - [ ] A user’s profile update - [ ] A long-term popular topic - [ ] A new account opening > **Explanation:** A trending topic or hashtag has gained sudden and widespread popularity and is actively discussed by many users. ### Why do businesses often use Twitter? - [ ] For internal communication - [x] To engage with customers and promote products - [ ] For financial transactions - [ ] To track employee productivity > **Explanation:** Businesses use Twitter to engage with their customers, promote their products, and launch marketing campaigns due to its wide reach and real-time communication ability. ### Which symbol is used to create a hashtag on Twitter? - [ ] @ - [ ] $ - [x] # - [ ] & > **Explanation:** The hash symbol (#) is used to create hashtags on Twitter, allowing users to categorize their tweets and participate in topic-specific discussions.

Thank you for exploring the intricacies of Twitter with us and challenging yourself with our comprehensive quiz! Keep tweeting and mastering your communication skills!