If you are a fan of TweetDeck, the social media dashboard application for management, you might want to brace yourself for some big changes. Twitter has announced that it is launching a new and improved version of TweetDeck, but with a catch: only verified users will be able to access it after 30 days.
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What does this mean for you?
Verified users are those who have a blue badge next to their name on Twitter, indicating that they are authentic and notable. According to Twitter, verified users include Twitter Blue subscribers, verified organizations, and some people who have been gifted verification by Twitter.
This means that if you are not verified, you will not be able to use TweetDeck after 30 days. You will have to either subscribe to Twitter Blue, which costs $2.99 per month and offers features such as undo tweet, bookmark folders, and reader mode, or apply for verification, which requires meeting certain criteria and providing evidence of your identity and notability.
What are the new features of TweetDeck?
Twitter claims that the new version of TweetDeck will offer a better experience for users, with more features and functionality. Some of the new features include:
- Full composer functionality: You can create and edit tweets, threads, polls, images, videos, GIFs, and emojis from TweetDeck.
- Spaces: You can join and host live audio conversations from TweetDeck.
- Video docking: You can watch videos in a small window while browsing other tweets on TweetDeck.
- Polls: You can create and participate in polls from TweetDeck.
However, there is one feature that is temporarily unavailable: Teams. Teams allows you to manage multiple accounts and collaborate with other users on TweetDeck. Twitter says that Teams functionality will be restored in the coming weeks.
Why did Twitter make this decision
Twitter says that the new version of TweetDeck is part of its efforts to improve its products and services for its users. However, some users suspect that there is another reason behind this decision: to prevent scraping.
Scraping is the practice of extracting data from websites or apps without permission or authorization. Scraping can be used for various purposes, such as research, analysis, marketing, or spamming.
Over the weekend, TweetDeck was experiencing major issues after owner Elon Musk announced limits on the number of tweets users can view per day to prevent scraping. Users reported seeing an empty interface where tweets normally would have been shown. Some users also complained that TweetDeck is used by many journalists and social media professionals who rely on it for their work.
By limiting access to TweetDeck to verified users only, Twitter might be trying to reduce the risk of scraping and protect its data and users.
What are some alternatives to TweetDeck?
If you are not verified and do not want to subscribe to Twitter Blue or apply for verification, you might be looking for some alternatives to TweetDeck. Here are some options you can try:
- Hootsuite: Hootsuite is a popular social media management platform that allows you to manage multiple accounts across different platforms, such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. You can schedule posts, monitor mentions, track analytics, and collaborate with your team. Hootsuite offers a free plan for up to three social accounts and 30 scheduled messages per month.
- Buffer: Buffer is another social media management platform that lets you manage multiple accounts across different platforms, such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. You can schedule posts, analyze performance, create stories, and engage with your audience. Buffer offers a free plan for up to three social accounts and 10 scheduled posts per account per month.
- Tweeten: Tweeten is a desktop app that enhances the functionality of TweetDeck. You can customize your columns, filters, themes, fonts, emojis, and more. You can also use advanced features such as mute filters, GIF keyboard, auto-refresh tweets, and dark mode. Tweeten is free to use.
Conclusion
Twitter’s new move will change the way you use TweetDeck in the next 30 days. If you are verified or willing to subscribe to Twitter Blue or apply for verification, you can enjoy the new features and functionality of TweetDeck. If not, you can try some alternatives that offer similar or better services. Either way, you can still stay connected and informed on Twitter.
Hey there! I’m Kuldeep Kumar, and tech is my jam. From the mind-blowing world of AI to the thrilling battlegrounds of cybersecurity, I love exploring every corner of this amazing world. Gadgets? I geek out over them. Hidden software tricks? Bring ’em on! I explain it all in clear, bite-sized chunks, laced with a touch of humor to keep things sparky. So, join me on this tech adventure, and let’s demystify the wonders of technology, one blog post at a time.