2009 23/11

Twitter’s New Retweet Function

What is it with all the social networking sites rolling out big changes all at once?? First Facebook changed their user’s News Feed, and now Twitter has changed the way we Retweet (RT) our friend’s updates.

If you’re using a third party app, like twhirl or TweetDeck, you’ll continue to retweet the way you always have.(at least for now)

Retweeting directly from Twitter.com has changed. The RT button is at the bottom right of the post, and when you click it, it shows a pop-up asking if you’d like to RT to your followers.

The big change? You may notice some people in your stream that you don’t follow. These tweets are actually retweets, but it’s no longer obvious who retweeted the item. Instead, it’s showing the original author’s avatar, with a tiny retweet icon beside it. Then under the post, where it tells you how long ago an item was tweeted, you can see the name of the person who thought you’d like to see this tweet.

Image Credit: help.twitter.com

To me, it’s been a little confusing. I liked being able to see my friend’s avatar, as I’m much more likely to stop and read a tweet from someone I really like than from someone who’s name and picture I’ve never seen.

Another thing that bugs me is that Twitter.com is no longer using the RT@YourName format, so when a person RT’s one of my tweets via the new retweet system, I don’t get notified.

What do y’all think of the new system? Take the poll and let me know in the comments!

[poll id="6"]

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Patty Reiser

Honestly, I rarely log into Twitter since I started using HootSuite. And this week HootSuite rolled out an update that intergrated Facebook, Ping.fm and Linkedin. So now I can follow and keep up with online happenings all from within HootSuite.

EricaMueller

I might have to look into HootSuite again. I've used it once or twice to schedule a tweet, but I didn't realize it did anything else. lol Shows you how stuck in my ways I am... hehe

Robert Bravery

Nice post Erica. Seems you beat me out the blocks this week. The Twitter RT is actually in my list to write about this week.

But I am really unsure about the new RT at the moment. I use both methods. Sometimes I use the old RT because I like to add value to the Tweet. Sometimes I just use the new RT, because it is quicker.

The only thing I don't like about the new RT, is that you are not immediately notified of any RT, you have to look that up in the RT management page

LaurindaB

Just wish you could add comments or modify. I tweet using Tweetdeck so I'm very indifferent to Twitter changes.

Antti Kokkonen

Yeah, I usually add my comments to the end of the tweet if there's room. But I also use TweetDeck, so it'll remain unless TD updates to the change somehow.

EricaMueller

Me too. And, are my followers going to pay as much attention to something I RT if my avatar isn't showing? No, they'll see someone they don't recognize and they'll skip right over it...

The whole purpose of the RT is to share something YOU find valuable. You're adding credibility by RT'ing someone else's tweet. To me, the new way of doing it looks spammy.

Robert Bravery

I think most third parties are in the process of updating their software. What would be nice is if they gave you the opportunity to use both. SO that you could choose on a tweet by tweet basis

EricaMueller

No kidding! Options are needed!! Maybe they think we are not smart enough to choose for ourselves? Arrg.

Jimi Jones

I don't care for the change, as it butts into the conversation. Like you, I'd like to continue to easily see the familiar faces of friends, not have them embedded within the stream.

If your tweet is RT-ed numerous times, we humans who basically scan what we read, may get the impression that the originator of the tweet is being spammy because you keep seeing their avatar on the same tweet repeatedly. The tiny footnote of "Retweeted by XXXX and 45 others" serves to interrupt the social flow and removes the credibility of others involved.

I think they've missed the point on this one. A RT is not just a repeat of the original tweet, but a social vote of approval and recognition of something worthy or interesting. Perhaps this was an attempt to automate etiquette.

EricaMueller

I completely agree. The new way just looks spammy!!

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