According to recent reports, Twitter is starting to experiment with the ability to upvote or downvote Tweets.
Big social networks like Facebook and Twitter have traditionally moved away from reverse chronological feeds and timelines, relying instead on algorithms to surface more and more relevant content for their users. Could the upvote/downvote system used by others like Reddit, be applied where algorithms have failed? Both Facebook, and now Twitter, seem to think so.
While Facebook has been rolling out its downvote button to more users since May, Twitter has just started experimenting with an upvote/downvote system as well. As with all tests, this feature may never get a wider rollout. But why wouldn’t it? After all, algorithms have proven to be subpar at surfacing relevant content.
The test was spotted and tweeted by Matt Navarra recently, as it was shared at the Online News Association’s 2018 conference in Austin, TX.
Twitter is experimenting with UP and DOWN voting for tweets*
*but the concept may never go live#twitterfornews #ona18 pic.twitter.com/j2DqtOuYZV
— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) September 16, 2018
I think the fact that Facebook is expanding the use of this system and that Twitter is considering it is a great step ahead. It just shows really that they have acknowledged to a certain degree that algorithms aren’t working in their best interest – or in the best interest of their users.
You might also like
More from Twitter
Elon Musk Set To Relaunch Twitter Blue On November 29
Twitter Blue, the $7.99 service that gave people access to the blue checkmark is set to relaunch at the end …
Elon Musk Is Really Buying Twitter This Time
It's the end of a wild story: Elon Musk's $44 billion Twitter deal is actually happening.On Tuesday, representatives of Elon …
Twitter Is Rolling Out Editable Tweets, For Real
This time it's for real: Twitter is rolling out editable tweets. There is a catch though: you will have to …
Twitter Shareholders Vote To Approve $44 Billion Elon Musk Buyout
A large majority of Twitter shareholders approved the buyout, now Musk wants to fight his way out of it.Elon Musk …
Twitter Is Testing An Edit Tweet Feature
Twitter announced it's testing an 'Edit Tweet' feature that will give users the ability to edit their Tweets within 30 …
Twitter Introduces Super Follows Exclusive Spaces
Creators who are using Twitter’s Super Follows monetization option can now host Twitter Spaces, available exclusively to their subscribers.Twitter says …
Tweet Replies Ad Placement Now Available On All App Install Campaigns
Twitter is now allowing all advertisers to use its new Tweet replies ad placement, for app install ads, on iOS …
Twitter Tests Larger Product Displays With Twitter Shops
The new feature being tested with select US merchants will allow businesses to showcase up to 50 shoppable items on …