Sections of this topic
In this article, we’ll examine the reasons behind the addition of a new metric on Twitter – the bookmark count – and how users are reacting to this latest development.
We’ll also discuss Twitter’s continuing love affair with metrics and the company’s recent decisions.
Key Takeaways:
- Twitter adds a bookmark counter for iOS users.
- The new metric is only visible on the tweet details page.
- Bookmark counts remain private; specific accounts cannot be seen.
- Users have mixed reactions to the addition of more metrics.
- Expansion to other platforms is planned, but no timeline has been provided.
Twitter Unveils Bookmark Counter for iOS Users
Twitter’s ongoing quest to provide more public metrics for user posts has taken another step forward, as they introduce a counter displaying the number of bookmarks a tweet has received.
This new counter joins existing metrics, such as retweet, quote retweet, and like numbers.
Currently, this feature is only available to iOS users who visit a tweet’s details page.
However, Twitter has expressed plans to expand this feature in the future.
Privacy Maintained: Bookmarks Remain Confidential
Despite the introduction of a bookmarks counter, Twitter maintains that bookmark privacy is a priority.
Users are unable to tap the counter to reveal which accounts have bookmarked a specific tweet.
In a statement from the Twitter Support account, the company confirmed that they will “never display which accounts have added a Tweet to their Bookmarks.”
Mixed Reactions: Users Divided on New Bookmark Metrics
The addition of a bookmarks counter has been met with varied responses from Twitter users.
Some appreciate the feature, with Twitter CEO Elon Musk referring to bookmarking as a “de facto silent like” and praising the ability to bookmark a tweet from its details page as a “major Twitter improvement.”
On the other hand, many users feel that this new metric is just another element cluttering the Twitter interface, providing information of little value, much like the view counter.
Bookmark Counter Rollout: Exclusive to iOS, with Expansion in the Pipeline
Currently, the bookmark metrics feature is only available on the Twitter for iOS app. The company has indicated plans to expand this functionality to other platforms, such as Twitter for Android and the web.
However, no specific timeline has been provided for when users on these platforms can expect to see the bookmark counter feature.
Twitter’s Metrics Journey: Recent Changes and Future Plans
The unveiling of the bookmark counter follows other recent updates to Twitter’s metrics visibility. While some users appreciate the expanded metrics, others have expressed concerns about the cluttered user interface.
Twitter’s recent decisions include confirming more layoffs impacting key personnel, making SMS verification a Twitter Blue feature, and delaying the launch of its new paid API program.
As Twitter continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact the platform’s overall user experience and whether users will embrace or reject additional metrics in the future.
Balancing Metrics and User Experience: Twitter’s Ongoing Challenge
As Twitter continues to introduce new metrics, the company faces the challenge of balancing the desire for more information with a streamlined and user-friendly interface.
With metrics such as retweets, likes, and views already available, the addition of bookmark counters adds another layer of complexity to the platform.
The Impact on User Behavior and Engagement
The increasing visibility of various metrics may have an effect on user behavior and engagement.
The bookmark counter, in particular, could encourage users to save content more frequently, knowing that their bookmarks contribute to a tweet’s overall popularity.
However, this may also lead to an increased focus on metrics-driven content, potentially affecting the organic nature of conversations on the platform.
Looking Ahead: Twitter’s Future Direction
As Twitter continues to refine its platform and features, it will be essential for the company to listen to user feedback and adapt accordingly.
With the bookmark counter currently available only to iOS users, the upcoming expansion to other platforms will provide further insight into the overall reception of this new metric.
Twitter’s future direction will undoubtedly involve striking the right balance between providing valuable metrics for users and maintaining a clutter-free, enjoyable user experience.
