Twitter

Twitter. Twitter is a major social networking service and microblogging platform where users post and interact with short messages known as "tweets." Originally launched in 2006, it grew into a global communications tool used by individuals, organizations, and world leaders. The platform has significantly influenced public discourse, news media, and political communication, while also facing substantial controversy regarding its policies and societal impact.

History

The service was created in March 2006 by employees of the podcasting company Odeo, including Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams. The first public version launched in July 2006, with Dorsey publishing the inaugural tweet. Rapid growth followed its prominent use at the 2007 South by Southwest festival. Key milestones included the introduction of the hashtag by users in 2007, which the platform later formally adopted, and the "Retweet" function in 2009. The company went public in November 2013 on the New York Stock Exchange. In April 2022, Elon Musk began a highly publicized acquisition process, culminating in a $44 billion purchase in October 2022. Following the acquisition, the service was rebranded to "X" in July 2023 by its new parent company, X Corp..

Features and services

The core feature is the tweet, originally a text-based post limited to 140 characters, expanded to 280 characters in 2017. Users can post multimedia, including images, videos, and GIFs. The platform's architecture is built around asymmetric following, where users can follow others without requiring mutual connection. Key interactive features include "Retweeting" to share another user's post, "Liking" a post, and direct messaging via Twitter Direct Message. The algorithmic "For You" timeline curates content, while the "Following" timeline displays a chronological feed. Other features include "Twitter Spaces" for live audio conversations, "Twitter Blue" a subscription service offering verification and other perks, and "Communities" for group discussions around specific topics. The platform utilizes Trending topics to highlight popular discussions globally and locally.

Business model and revenue

Historically, the primary revenue source was advertising, including promoted tweets, trends, and accounts targeted via user data. Major advertising partners have included global brands like The Coca-Cola Company, Procter & Gamble, and Walt Disney Company. Following the 2022 acquisition, the business model shifted significantly under Elon Musk, with a heightened focus on subscription revenue through services like Twitter Blue. The platform also generates revenue through data licensing deals, providing access to its full stream of public tweets to companies for analysis, a service used by firms like Bloomberg L.P. and academic researchers. The company has faced challenges in retaining major advertisers due to concerns over content moderation, impacting its financial performance.

Impact and criticism

The platform has had a profound impact on real-time news dissemination, often breaking news faster than traditional outlets, as seen during events like the Arab Spring and natural disasters. It has become a vital tool for political figures, including former U.S. President Donald Trump, and institutions like NASA and the World Health Organization. However, it has been widely criticized for facilitating the spread of misinformation, hate speech, and online harassment. Its role in influencing elections, such as the 2016 United States presidential election, has been scrutinized by bodies like the United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. The platform's content moderation policies, under both previous management and X Corp., have been a constant source of debate, drawing criticism from organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and Amnesty International. Its effect on public mental health and its algorithmic amplification of divisive content remain significant areas of concern.

See also

* Social media * Facebook * Instagram * Mastodon (social network) * Threads (social network)

Category:Social networking services Category:Microblogging Category:Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange