Twitter is set to expand its horizons beyond its microblogging roots with the introduction of a new feature called “Articles,” as confirmed by the company’s owner, Elon Musk, in a tweet. This feature will allow users to publish lengthy and intricate posts with mixed media, akin to publishing a book on the platform.
Currently, Twitter Blue subscribers enjoy the privilege of posting tweets with up to 10,000 characters, a significant increase from the standard 280-character limit for non-Blue users. With the forthcoming “Articles” feature, users will have even more space to express themselves through extensive missives, representing a substantial expansion of Twitter’s capabilities.
This move aligns with Twitter’s recent efforts to attract and retain content creators. Twitter Blue subscribers have been offered revenue-sharing opportunities as part of these efforts, incentivizing creators to remain on the platform rather than seeking alternatives like Meta’s Threads or Substack. Interestingly, Substack, a platform initially inspired by Twitter, introduced its own Twitter-like feature called “Notes,” which eventually became a separate entity.
While Musk did not provide a specific release date for the “Articles” feature, Twitter’s reputation for surprise launches suggests that it may arrive without much prior warning. As the platform diversifies its offerings and explores new avenues for user engagement, this feature promises to provide an improved platform for sharing in-depth, multimedia-rich content.
However, Twitter is not without its challenges. Musk recently revealed in a tweet that the platform still faces a negative cash flow, with approximately a 50 percent decrease in advertising revenue. In April, Musk had indicated that Twitter was approaching a state of “roughly breaking even” as some advertisers returned after abandoning the platform following his acquisition. Nevertheless, a subsequent report from The New York Times contradicted this claim, showing a significant 59 percent decline in ad revenue compared to the previous year.
In the face of competition, Twitter aims to keep users engaged and loyal to its platform. The tech giant has already started implementing a creator ads revenue-sharing program, paying select users for their content. While this feature is currently limited to a small group, Twitter is expected to expand it to a wider audience in the near future.
As Twitter continues to evolve, the introduction of the “Articles” feature represents an exciting step towards enabling users to share more extensive and multimedia-rich content. By accommodating longer-form posts, Twitter seeks to provide a platform that encourages in-depth conversations, fosters creativity, and attracts content creators. The upcoming release of “Articles” will undoubtedly reshape the Twitter experience and provide users with new avenues for expression.
