Elon Musk’s recent decision to impose a limit on the number of tweets users can see each day has sparked backlash and could potentially undermine Twitter’s efforts to attract advertisers. The limit, implemented to address concerns regarding data scraping and system manipulation, represents the latest change by Twitter since being acquired by Musk for $44 billion. This article explores the implications of this change and examines the alternatives to Twitter that users are turning to.
Under the new limitations, users are required to log in to the platform in order to view tweets. Verified accounts are now able to read up to 6,000 posts per day, while unverified accounts have a limit of 600 posts, and new unverified accounts are limited to 300 posts. Once these limits are reached, users receive a notification stating that their rate limit has been exceeded. However, Musk has announced plans to increase these limits to 10,000 for verified accounts, 1,000 for unverified accounts, and 500 for new unverified accounts in the near future. This move is part of Musk’s ongoing efforts to enhance Twitter’s verified service, which now includes paid subscriptions and various tiers of badges.
The decision to impose these limits is primarily driven by the need to address the widespread data scraping practices on Twitter. This practice involves extracting large amounts of data from the platform, which is utilized by a range of entities, from AI companies and startups to tech giants. Musk expressed frustration in a tweet, stating, “It is rather galling to have to bring large numbers of servers online on an emergency basis just to facilitate some AI startup’s outrageous valuation.” This limitation aims to curtail the excessive extraction of data and preserve the integrity of the platform.
The introduction of these limits has not been well-received by Twitter users, as evidenced by the trending hashtags “#TwitterDown” and “RIP Twitter” in recent days. The limitations have particularly impacted accounts belonging to informational agencies, journalists, and monitoring services, which rely on reviewing a large volume of tweets on a daily basis. The National Weather Service, for instance, expressed concerns that it may be unable to access tweeted reports of severe weather and related damage, prompting them to encourage subscribers to utilize their office telephone numbers instead.
In light of these restrictions, users are exploring alternative platforms similar to Twitter. Two prominent alternatives are Bluesky and Mastodon, both of which experienced a surge in users and activity following Musk’s announcement. Bluesky, a platform launched by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey that is currently in beta mode, reported “record high traffic” on Saturday and temporarily halted new sign-ups. Similarly, Mastodon observed a significant increase in its active user base, with 110,000 new users joining the platform on the same day, according to its creator and CEO, Eugen Rochko.
Elon Musk’s decision to impose limits on tweet viewing has ignited controversy and dissatisfaction among Twitter users. While the aim is to address data scraping concerns, the restrictions have had unintended consequences, potentially diminishing Twitter’s appeal to advertisers. As a result, alternative platforms like Bluesky and Mastodon are gaining traction as users seek alternatives to Twitter’s limitations. The future of Twitter’s user base and advertiser appeal remains uncertain in light of these developments.
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