Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR)’s desperate attempt to channel some of Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB)’s current mojo into its own social media platform could end up having a disastrous impact on the service opined Jon Evans of TechCrunch on Saturday.
Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR)’s CFO reportedly stated rather matter-of-factly that a Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB)-esque, algorithm-based system would eventually find its way to our Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) feeds, determining for us which tweets were more relevant than others and displaying them at the top, as opposed to using the reverse chronological order that has always been the hallmark of the service (and one of its most beloved features).
Reaction to the news was swift; as swift as the condemnation was fierce. Eventually Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) sheepishly backed down and said such a system is not coming to the service. Or at least not anytime soon. But it’s clear Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) is doing just about anything it can to try and increase the engagement of users, and those things it’s doing are often at odds with what the current users actually want. Take for instance the recent changes to how Favorites function, as well as the addition of tweets from friends of friends, both of which were rather poorly received.
And therein lies the problem for Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR). They are stuck between the proverbial rock of their current users who like the system just the way it is, and the hard place of feeling the system needs tweaks to improve the experience, increase engagement, and also put Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) in a better position to make money.
Too much following in Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB)’s money-making footsteps will likely just lead the company to irrelevance as Facebook 2, Evans writes, and that’s something nobody wants or needs; and unfortunate reality that Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) needs to come to terms with.
The Soros Fund Management, headed by Georgo Soros, is a notable shareholder in Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR), with 150,000 shares in the company as of their most recent June 30, 13F filing.
Disclosure: none
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