Twitter is working on new timeline options that will merge Tweets and other media around specific events or topics.
Announce at the beginning on June 11, 2022 by Amir Shivat, Head of Product Development of the social media platform, first launched on August 24 with a schedule around ABC”The Bachelorette. “
This 10-week trial program will be available to a small group of users in the United States and Canada.
Topic-focused timelines allow users to follow conversations about topics
Users will be able to follow customized schedules via an in-app prompt. When clicked, it will show users posts about specific topics, allowing them to scroll through conversations about them. This is similar to Lists, but allows users to follow topics with fewer clicks.
These new timelines will be driven by custom algorithms that will certify relevance using information such as search terms, usernames, topics, and manual curation.
This new feature will not replace the main timelines for users. Instead, they will appear as an addition to the home page.
Custom timelines will likely allow third-party curation
Although the full final version remains to be seen, the Hong Kong-based technology and cyber security researcher Jin Manchun Wong suggested “It might allow users to choose their own ‘algorithm’, not just Twitter’s home timeline algorithm.”
For example, a user could have one stream following their favorite baseball team and another dedicated to search engine optimizations. Custom timelines will allow them to follow both, focusing only on one at a time.
By allowing third-party tools a way to create experiences within Twitter, it could allow users to create different streams for different uses. Developers will be able to regulate what appears in the timelines they create.
This should provide digital marketers and brands with new opportunities to tell stories and increase exposure for things like new product releases.
Featured image: Shutterstock / Jirapong Manustrong
