Twitter (now officially called X) is a social media platform where users can post and interact with short messages called tweets. It was launched in 2006 and became a major platform for news, discussions, and social interactions. Users could post text, images, videos, and links, follow others, and engage through likes, retweets, and replies.
In 2022, Elon Musk acquired Twitter, and in 2023, he rebranded it as X, aiming to transform it into an “everything app” with expanded features like payments, video, and more. Despite the rebranding, many people still refer to it as Twitter.
Key Features:
- Tweets: Posts limited to a certain number of characters (originally 140, later expanded to 280, and now varying for premium users).
- Retweets & Likes: Users can share or like posts to engage with content.
- Trending Topics: Displays popular discussions based on location and global activity.
- Spaces: Live audio conversations.
- Twitter Blue (now X Premium): A paid subscription for extra features like longer tweets and priority rankings.
Rebranding to “X”:
In 2023, Elon Musk, after acquiring Twitter, started rebranding it as X, aiming to turn it into an “everything app” beyond just social media.
Elon Musk’s Best Changes to Twitter (Now X) 🚀
Since acquiring Twitter in October 2022, Elon Musk has made several major changes. Some have been controversial, but others have significantly improved the platform. Here are some of his best changes:
1. Freedom of Speech & Content Moderation 🔓
- Musk reduced censorship and reinstated previously banned accounts, including Donald Trump, Andrew Tate, and Jordan Peterson.
- Introduced Community Notes, a crowdsourced fact-checking tool to combat misinformation.
- Focused on free speech, but still removing illegal content.
2. Twitter Blue → X Premium (Paid Verification) ✅
- Anyone can now buy a blue checkmark ($8/month) for higher visibility and fewer ads.
- Businesses and government accounts get gold and gray checkmarks.
- Boosts priority rankings in replies and search.
- Enables longer tweets, video uploads, and monetization.
3. Revenue Sharing for Creators 💰
- Launched ad revenue sharing with content creators, allowing users to earn money based on engagement.
- Encourages creators to post exclusive content directly on X instead of using YouTube or Instagram.
4. Expanded Character Limits & Features ✍️
- Increased tweet length from 280 characters to 25,000 characters (for paid users).
- Added editable tweets (for Premium users).
- Allows long-form articles, making X a blogging platform.
5. Enhanced Video & Live Streaming 🎥
- X now supports full-length videos (up to 2 hours long).
6. Algorithm Improvements & Open-Source Code 🧠
- Improved For You timeline for better content discovery.
- Made the Twitter algorithm open-source, allowing transparency.
- Focused on AI-driven recommendations for a more personalized feed.
7. AI & “Everything App” Vision 🤖
- Plans to turn X into an “everything app” like China’s WeChat.
- Integrating AI, payments, and job postings into the platform.
- X’s AI chatbot, Grok, was introduced for real-time information.
8. Reduction of Bots & Spam 🛡️
- Implemented stricter bot-detection systems.
- Verified accounts get priority, reducing spam replies.
- Requires phone verification for account creation.
Using Twitter (now X) effectively involves understanding its core features. Here’s a guide on how to use them:
1. Creating an Account
- Go to x.com and sign up with an email, phone number, or Google/Apple ID.
- Choose a username (@handle) and profile picture.
2. Home Feed & Navigation
- Home: See posts from people you follow and suggested content.
- Search (Explore): Discover trending topics, news, and hashtags.
- Notifications: Check likes, retweets, replies, and mentions.
- Messages: Send private DMs (direct messages).
3. Posting (Tweeting)
- Click “Post” (formerly “Tweet”) and type your message.
- You can add:
- Images, Videos, GIFs
- Polls (for voting)
- Links (to articles, websites, etc.)
- Hashtags (#) (to make your post searchable)
- Mentions (@username) (to tag someone)
- Click “Post” to share it.
4. Engaging with Others
- Like ❤️: Click the heart to show appreciation.
- Retweet 🔁: Share someone’s post with your followers.
- Reply 💬: Comment on a post to start a conversation.
- Quote Post: Retweet with your own thoughts added.
5. Following & Managing Content
- Follow users to see their posts in your feed.
- Unfollow or Mute to reduce unwanted content.
- Block users to prevent interactions.
- Lists: Organize accounts into groups to view their posts separately.
6. Advanced Features
- Twitter Blue (X Premium): Paid subscription for longer posts, edit options, verification, and ad-free experience.
- Spaces: Live audio chat rooms for discussions.
- Communities: Join or create groups focused on specific topics.
- Bookmarks: Save posts to view later.
History of Twitter (Now X)
Founding and Early Growth (2006–2009)
- Twitter was founded in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams as a side project at Odeo, a podcasting company.
- The first tweet was sent by Jack Dorsey on March 21, 2006:
“just setting up my twttr” - Twitter was officially launched in July 2006 as a microblogging platform where users could post 140-character messages.
- The platform gained traction during SXSW 2007, when it introduced live updates on display screens at the event.
Rise to Popularity (2010–2013)
- Twitter became widely used for real-time news, activism, and global events, including:
- 2011 Arab Spring: Protesters used Twitter to organize and share information.
- 2012 U.S. Election: Twitter played a big role in political discussions.
- 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing: Twitter became a key platform for breaking news.
- In 2013, Twitter went public with an IPO (Initial Public Offering), reaching a $31 billion valuation.
Expansion and Struggles (2014–2019)
- Twitter increased its character limit from 140 to 280 characters in 2017.
- Introduced Moments (curated stories), Live Video, and Threads to improve engagement.
- Struggled with fake news, harassment, and bot activity, leading to increased moderation efforts.
Jack Dorsey’s Return and Resignation (2015–2021)
- Jack Dorsey returned as CEO in 2015 but stepped down in 2021.
- During his tenure, Twitter improved its advertising model, introduced Fleets (disappearing tweets), and invested in decentralization (Bluesky project).
Elon Musk’s Takeover and Rebranding to X (2022–Present)
- In October 2022, Elon Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion.
- Major changes under Musk:
- Rebranded Twitter as “X” in 2023.
- Introduced paid verification (Twitter Blue → X Premium).
- Expanded character limits and focused on “everything app” vision (payments, AI, and more).
Twitter’s Legacy
- Revolutionized social media, influencing news, politics, and digital activism.
- Fastest way to share and consume breaking news.
- Now evolving under Musk into X, aiming to be more than just a social media platform.