Twitter to Expand 140-Character Limit With New Product

Twitter is planning to introduce a new solution that will allow users to create tweets that exceed 140 characters in length, reports Re/code. Twitter will implement longer tweets through a new product, but it is not yet clear what that product will look like or how it will work.

There are existing services designed to let users publish long-form content on Twitter, like TwitLonger, which directs users to a website to read a full tweet, or OneShot, which lets users post images of text, but Twitter may have a better solution in mind for its own product.

Twitter is also said to be considering removing links and usernames from character counts, which would also expand the allowed length of tweets.

In addition to the long-form product, execs have been openly discussing the idea of tweaking how Twitter measures its 140-character limit by removing things like links and user handles from the count, multiple sources say. In the past, Twitter has tinkered with the limit in other ways. Twitter Cards are still beholden to the 140-character limit but are intended to help people (and advertisers) share lots of information, and Twitter added a "retweet with comment" option in April to give people more room to comment on tweets they share.

Twitter has already been making moves towards expanding its signature limitations. Earlier this year, the company officially removed the 140-character limit from Direct Messages, allowing for unrestricted conversation much like other chat and messaging apps.

Tag: Twitter

Top Rated Comments

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milo

50 months ago

Well at least it makes sense to exempt links and user names from the limit. But dumping it completely seems to defeat the whole purpose.

Rating: 5 Votes

AngerDanger

50 months ago

I hope this new product is inexplicably an Amiibo ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amiibo')-like figure of the Twitter logo that connects to your phone or computer through NFC or bluetooth. This blue canary sitting idly by your device could watch over your character limit and extend it when Tweets surpass it.

It'll only work when you @ your friends—well not only when you @ your friends, but it'll depend on where it's going then, and if they're actually your friends.

Rating: 4 Votes

Elbon

50 months ago

I think the character limit is a good thing. It forces you to curate what you're posting to the world.

I agree, though 140 characters is not enough. I've always thought that 256, 512, or even 1024 would be a better limit.

But it really doesn't matter that much to me. I still don't really "get" Twitter. I've tried a bunch of times but I just don't see the draw. There are better ways to get news and better ways to stay in touch with people.

Rating: 4 Votes

ipedro

50 months ago

So you're saying that Twitter is just a glorified group text message.

That's why I use Facebook instead. I only use Twitter when I want to contact someone who isn't on Facebook.

You don't understand Twitter and that's ok. Plenty of people find it extraordinary useful for following real time events, discussing politics and even organizing movements.

Rating: 3 Votes

morespce54

50 months ago

Anyways, 640K ought to be enough for anybody.

Whops, wrong thread... ;)

Rating: 3 Votes

alfm

50 months ago

So long Twitter. It's been fun.

Rating: 2 Votes

HackerJL

50 months ago

Its called Medium.com

Rating: 2 Votes

0007776

50 months ago

I thought I was the only one that didn't "get" twitter.

Nope, not at all. I don't see the draw to it either.

Rating: 2 Votes

ignatius345

50 months ago

Could be good, could be bad. I would lean towards bad. The character limit forces a clear and concise message which inherently reduces long, wordy, rambling posts - similar to the one I just posted.

Brevity is the point of Twitter. There are already a million places on the Internet to ramble on at length.

I know a lot of people in comedy who are good on Twitter *because* of the limit. Reeling in a joke in 140 characters is not easy, and shows you're good.

Rating: 2 Votes

ipedro

50 months ago

I don't think that Twitter will eliminate the character count completely. That defeats the purpose. I like how it challenges you to shorten your expressions to convey a thought. It's entirely possible to write meaningful thoughts in 140 characters or less.

The one limitation that makes no sense is including links and images towards that count. Eliminate those and 140 characters will be sufficient. If it has to be increased, do it for simplicity sake. 200 characters is still short enough while moving to a nice round number that's easy to remember.

Rating: 2 Votes

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