Twitter Lifts Up Promoted Tweets, Switches Search

Twitter is still on the move, making changes that are reportedly created to make life easier for you, the user, but really is about making things better for you, the marketer.

It begins with a new feature that pins Promoted Tweets near the top of the user stream regardless of when it actually hit. Once a user logs in to view the stream, the tweet falls into line and continues through as normal (I think, this isn’t very clear in the write-up).

Users can choose to dismiss the tweet right away with a single click. And, Twitter says, users will only see Promoted Tweets from brands they follow.

In theory, this could be helpful for users looking for a coupon or a great deal, but I’m not buying Twitter’s explanation about how this was created to “enrich” my user experience. What would enrich my experience is a stream that allows the actual cream to rise to the top giving me my favorite Tweeters above those I follow out of obligation or morbid curiosity.

Searching for the Old Search Page

Twitter also “upgraded” their search engine this week and I truly hate it. I’m not sure why I hate it, but I do. In the past, I went to search.twitter.com instead of using the actual search box on Twitter because it returned a better selection of data, in an uncluttered, fast-loading way. Now, when you hit that page, you get an overly enthusiastic search box that says “see what’s happening right now.” Put in the term and you’re taken to the new Twitter interface which has results on the left and detail on the right.

The detail panel does make it easier to get the lowdown on the Tweeter without having to click to a new page. You can also watch linked videos right on the page, but frankly, it’s too much input all at once.

The new search also defaults to Top Tweets and you must switch to All Tweets with a drop-down to get the full picture. In that mode, loading more Tweets takes time since you aren’t actually moving to a new page as you did on the old search.

What I wish they would add is a drop-down to eliminate Tweets that aren’t in my chosen language.

Understand this Twitter, I complain because I care. Twitter is my favorite social network, so I really wish they’d check with me before making these sweeping changes.

All good for marketers, somewhat good for users. What do you think?