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Twitter Implements New Rules to Ban Links to Other Social Platforms

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Elon Musk Launches Hostile Takeover Bid for Twitter

Time to review your Twitter bio, because Elon and Co. have got some new rules about what you can link out to – and if you don’t get in line, you’ll find yourself suspended real quick.

Specifically, Elon and his Twitter 2.0 team have decided that linking out to any competing social platform, in any way, is now against the rules. Because of, um, free promotion?

As explained by Twitter:

“We recognize that many of our users are active on other social media platforms. However, we will no longer allow free promotion of certain social media platforms on Twitter.”

So Twitter doesn’t want to juice its competitors by providing free reach to its audience. Not sure that’s going to provide the competitive edge that Twitter hopes, but here we are.

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“Specifically, we will remove accounts created solely for the purpose of promoting other social platforms and content that contains links or usernames for the following platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon, Truth Social, Tribel, Nostr and Post.”

To clarify, you need to remove all links in your bio, and no longer tweet links to your accounts on:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Mastodon
  • Truth Social
  • Tribel
  • Nostr
  • Post

In case you were wondering, currently, millions of accounts are falling foul of this new rule.

Many users had noted issues trying to link to their Mastdon accounts over the past week, which seemed to be Twitter’s attempt to stop a user exodus. Now, we have an official reason as to why – and that’s not all.

In the further documentation of the new rule, Twitter also notes that:

  • 3rd-party social media link aggregators such as linktr.ee, lnk.bio

These are banned to, so you need to get rid of your Linktree links, as well as any other link aggregator.

Which seems absurd, but again, here we are.

‘But hang on’, I hear you say, ‘what about official cross-posting options using Twitter’s API, like when you share a link to something using the Twitter button from the share options available?’

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That, apparently, is still allowed.

“We recognize that certain social media platforms provide alternative experiences to Twitter, and allow users to post content to Twitter from these platforms. In general, any type of cross-posting to our platform is not in violation of this policy, even from the prohibited sites listed above.”

So theoretically, you could still cross-post your latest update on, say, Instagram, and that would not be in violation of the rules. But posting a direct link to your IG profile would.

Twitter also notes that:

“Posting links or usernames to social media platforms not listed above are also not in violation of this policy.”

So links to YouTube, Pinterest, Reddit, LinkedIn, Snapchat, and interestingly, TikTok, are all fine.

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Evidently, Mastodon, which is slowly becoming the Twitter alternative of choice, has annoyed Elon enough to warrant attention, while Meta must also have gotten his goat somehow.

The addition of Nostr, an open source platform being promoted by former Twitter chief Jack Dorsey, also suggests that the relationship has soured between those two (remember when Jack said Elon was ‘the singular solution’ he trusted to save Twitter?), while the omission of TikTok could point to Elon’s complicated ties with China, and a need to not step on any toes on that front.

Twitter also says that any attempt to bypass the new rules – like spelling out ‘dot’ for social media platform links to avoid URL creation, or sharing screenshots of your handle on a prohibited social media platform – you best believe, that too will result in a paddlin’ from the tweet Gods.

Twitter will, however, continue to allow paid advertisement/promotion for any of the prohibited social media platforms. What a surprise.

Look, I realize there are passionate supporters of Elon who see no fault in anything that he does, and for those people, this is likely just another part of his grand master plan, that all of us common-folk are just too stupid to get. But this is bad. This is a bad policy, which will not help Twitter. And while the concept of walling people in may feel like it makes some sense, on some level, in regards to halting the use of the app for ‘free promotion’ of competitors, the impacts will, over time, significantly outweigh perceived benefits.

Take, for example, creators who cross-post to Twitter to promote their stuff on other apps, on which they can make far more revenue. Twitter benefits from this, through increased engagement, but now, those creators will have to think twice about how they use the app for this purpose – and whether it’s even worth using at all.

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It’s the exact opposite of what Twitter had been working towards before Elon, with its development more creator tools and incentive programs.

Disabling Linktree and similar services also hurts Twitter’s ecosystem, and lessens its value, as opposed to increasing it, while stopping people from promoting their Mastodon and Post links will likely just make them migrate faster.

And the confusing element where you can still cross-post via official share links?

The entire update feels like rushed policy, that hasn’t been thought through.

Much like this – another coming Twitter update:

Conceptually, that should incentivize more people to pay for Twitter Blue, right? In order to get this additional ‘downvote’ benefit.

But as many have pointed out, this is actually more likely to be misused and abused to silence dissenting opinions, while also adding more incentive to block and mute – i.e. stop listening to opposing opinions.

There’s also the new ‘anti-doxxing’ rules that saw several high-profile journalists suspended last week.

It’s trigger happy policy, being developed without the industry knowledge or the sensibility required to come to the right approach.

Oh, also, it’s potentially anti-competitive, and illegal in Europe.

Elon has noted that Twitter’s going to do ‘lots of dumb things in the coming months’ as he works to right the ship. This, most definitely, is one of them.

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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

In a recent announcement, Snapchat revealed a groundbreaking update that challenges its traditional design ethos. The platform is experimenting with an option that allows users to defy the 24-hour auto-delete rule, a feature synonymous with Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging model.

The proposed change aims to introduce a “Never delete” option in messaging retention settings, aligning Snapchat more closely with conventional messaging apps. While this move may blur Snapchat’s distinctive selling point, Snap appears convinced of its necessity.

According to Snap, the decision stems from user feedback and a commitment to innovation based on user needs. The company aims to provide greater flexibility and control over conversations, catering to the preferences of its community.

Currently undergoing trials in select markets, the new feature empowers users to adjust retention settings on a conversation-by-conversation basis. Flexibility remains paramount, with participants able to modify settings within chats and receive in-chat notifications to ensure transparency.

Snapchat underscores that the default auto-delete feature will persist, reinforcing its design philosophy centered on ephemerality. However, with the app gaining traction as a primary messaging platform, the option offers users a means to preserve longer chat histories.

The update marks a pivotal moment for Snapchat, renowned for its disappearing message premise, especially popular among younger demographics. Retaining this focus has been pivotal to Snapchat’s identity, but the shift suggests a broader strategy aimed at diversifying its user base.

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This strategy may appeal particularly to older demographics, potentially extending Snapchat’s relevance as users age. By emulating features of conventional messaging platforms, Snapchat seeks to enhance its appeal and broaden its reach.

Yet, the introduction of message retention poses questions about Snapchat’s uniqueness. While addressing user demands, the risk of diluting Snapchat’s distinctiveness looms large.

As Snapchat ventures into uncharted territory, the outcome of this experiment remains uncertain. Will message retention propel Snapchat to new heights, or will it compromise the platform’s uniqueness?

Only time will tell.

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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

While it is tempting to try to appeal to a broad audience, the founder of alcohol-free coaching service Just the Tonic, Sandra Parker, believes the best thing you can do for your business is focus on your niche. Here’s how she did just that.

When running a business, reaching out to as many clients as possible can be tempting. But it also risks making your marketing “too generic,” warns Sandra Parker, the founder of Just The Tonic Coaching.

“From the very start of my business, I knew exactly who I could help and who I couldn’t,” Parker told My Biggest Lessons.

Parker struggled with alcohol dependence as a young professional. Today, her business targets high-achieving individuals who face challenges similar to those she had early in her career.

“I understand their frustrations, I understand their fears, and I understand their coping mechanisms and the stories they’re telling themselves,” Parker said. “Because of that, I’m able to market very effectively, to speak in a language that they understand, and am able to reach them.” 

“I believe that it’s really important that you know exactly who your customer or your client is, and you target them, and you resist the temptation to make your marketing too generic to try and reach everyone,” she explained.

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“If you speak specifically to your target clients, you will reach them, and I believe that’s the way that you’re going to be more successful.

Watch the video for more of Sandra Parker’s biggest lessons.

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Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

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Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

Instagram’s testing out some new options to help spice up your live-streams in the app, with some live broadcasters now able to select a game that they can play with viewers in-stream.

As you can see in these example screens, posted by Ahmed Ghanem, some creators now have the option to play either “This or That”, a question and answer prompt that you can share with your viewers, or “Trivia”, to generate more engagement within your IG live-streams.

That could be a simple way to spark more conversation and interaction, which could then lead into further engagement opportunities from your live audience.

Meta’s been exploring more ways to make live-streaming a bigger consideration for IG creators, with a view to live-streams potentially catching on with more users.

That includes the gradual expansion of its “Stars” live-stream donation program, giving more creators in more regions a means to accept donations from live-stream viewers, while back in December, Instagram also added some new options to make it easier to go live using third-party tools via desktop PCs.

Live streaming has been a major shift in China, where shopping live-streams, in particular, have led to massive opportunities for streaming platforms. They haven’t caught on in the same way in Western regions, but as TikTok and YouTube look to push live-stream adoption, there is still a chance that they will become a much bigger element in future.

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Which is why IG is also trying to stay in touch, and add more ways for its creators to engage via streams. Live-stream games is another element within this, which could make this a better community-building, and potentially sales-driving option.

We’ve asked Instagram for more information on this test, and we’ll update this post if/when we hear back.

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