To put a fine point on it, changing Twitter Search to filter tweets by “popularity,” and not by their timestamp, is ridiculous.
Let me break it down for you. Twitter has always had two components to it: real-time, and ego. It’s a fancy way of saying that Twitter is a completely meritocratic product that people use to inflate their egos by growing their influence.
The good news is that you do not have to follow any specific person. You can follow no one at all if you wish. Everyone gets to decide who they find to be interesting, and follow them. This freedom and non-hierarchical system extended to Twitter Search as well. Twitter Search merely displays the most recent tweets that include the term that you are looking for. Simple.
It was a great way to get the pulse of an activity. To see what the hoi polloi were thinking. Twitter, is going to introduce search ordering (read: filtering) by popularity. Of course, we have no idea just what they mean by that; how the will determine what is “popular” is not yet known. Twitter, for all its power as a communication tool, is always a bit esoteric in its, well, communication.
That said, by introducing “popularity” as a search parameter, Twitter is asking people to blow smoke to get their tweets higher in the results. Little tip on Twitter, everyone on Twitter is a narcissist, it’s true. Don’t enable someone with a problem.
So everyone is going to, instead of having meaningful conversation, bang their heads on their keyboards for more “popularity.” Can’t we leave our MySpace complex behind?
The only problem with Twitter Search is that it often breaks and falls behind real-time. Oh, and it’s a defeatured product (read: not fully built). But right now it’s fair. Scoble’s tweets and mine are on the same level in the results. I like that. Everyone has an equal shot at making noise, and equal chance to be heard.
Twitter, by making this change, is telling the masses to head to the back of the bus. Telling them (us, we are part of the non-famous) that they should listen to the same people they hear on other mediums, because they are “popular.” Count me out.
I follow people who are famous, and I follow people who only have a few followers and talk about their kids. Twitter is trying to tell me that one is better than the other.
Thanks Twitter, but I figure that out for myself. No help needed, no help wanted.
Valid points, no doubt. But a) i'm hoping all this will be optional. b) right now, Twitter search results are nothing but a good way to see recent reactions to something. Trying to find an “important” tweet is virtually impossible. Any steps to making that possible is good…that said, it really depends on how they are measuring importance. We don't know that yet and if it means seeing Kawasaki on top of all the results, then agreed. Scrap it.
Alex – I agree. There should be a separate popular tweets dashboard that you can query on. Somewhat like Tweetmeme (but even then Tweetmeme gets spammed as well). I think the search works now because I am seeing the latest tweets for my term. Again this new search functionality is in beta so we will have to see how if all comes out in the end.
@brentnau
Having an option would actually be great. I bet you that there are going to be times when I want to filter by popularity. Give me both and i am the happiest guy.
People liked Coke, and New Coke. But when they tried to take away Coke…
Agreed on the spam point.
Well Alex, – You sure as s–t nailed that one down. Can you imagine the number of those who will quit???
Me? Not sure. It just feels all wrong. You know?
Well then, – be sure, because nobody likes to become a number, after being
treated like a name…TDS
Well then, – be sure, because nobody likes to become a number, after being
treated like a name…TDS
Well then, – be sure, because nobody likes to become a number, after being
treated like a name…TDS
Well then, – be sure, because nobody likes to become a number, after being
treated like a name…TDS
Well then, – be sure, because nobody likes to become a number, after being
treated like a name…TDS
Well then, – be sure, because nobody likes to become a number, after being
treated like a name…TDS
Well then, – be sure, because nobody likes to become a number, after being
treated like a name…TDS
Well then, – be sure, because nobody likes to become a number, after being
treated like a name…TDS
Well then, – be sure, because nobody likes to become a number, after being
treated like a name…TDS
Well then, – be sure, because nobody likes to become a number, after being
treated like a name…TDS
Well then, – be sure, because nobody likes to become a number, after being
treated like a name…TDS
Well then, – be sure, because nobody likes to become a number, after being
treated like a name…TDS
Well then, – be sure, because nobody likes to become a number, after being
treated like a name…TDS
Well then, – be sure, because nobody likes to become a number, after being
treated like a name…TDS
Well then, – be sure, because nobody likes to become a number, after being
treated like a name…TDS
Well then, – be sure, because nobody likes to become a number, after being
treated like a name…TDS
Well then, – be sure, because nobody likes to become a number, after being
treated like a name…TDS
Well then, – be sure, because nobody likes to become a number, after being
treated like a name…TDS
Well then, – be sure, because nobody likes to become a number, after being
treated like a name…TDS
Well then, – be sure, because nobody likes to become a number, after being
treated like a name…TDS
Well then, – be sure, because nobody likes to become a number, after being
treated like a name…TDS
Well then, – be sure, because nobody likes to become a number, after being
treated like a name…TDS
Well then, – be sure, because nobody likes to become a number, after being
treated like a name…TDS
Well then, – be sure, because nobody likes to become a number, after being
treated like a name…TDS
Well then, – be sure, because nobody likes to become a number, after being
treated like a name…TDS
I think you're confusing what Twitter is for and what traditional search engines are for.
Twitter isn't for finding the popular Tweets. It's for finding the latest information. If you want a popular, reliable source of information, then go to The New York Times, CNN, Al Jazeera, Fox, etc.
I think the whole idea is really disappointing. It would gut the very purpose of Twitter and change it from being about sharing information equally to being about attention-whoring, just like every other social network. It will no longer be special.
I think the whole idea is really disappointing. It would gut the very purpose of Twitter and change it from being about sharing information equally to being about attention-whoring, just like every other social network. It will no longer be special.
I thing addressing the “real time issue” will just go about it. Basically what the use of you tweeting when in fact this is already a history when it appears right?, surely it defeats the purpose…
I thing addressing the “real time issue” will just go about it. Basically what the use of you tweeting when in fact this is already a history when it appears right?, surely it defeats the purpose…
I thing addressing the “real time issue” will just go about it. Basically what the use of you tweeting when in fact this is already a history when it appears right?, surely it defeats the purpose…
I thing addressing the “real time issue” will just go about it. Basically what the use of you tweeting when in fact this is already a history when it appears right?, surely it defeats the purpose…
I thing addressing the “real time issue” will just go about it. Basically what the use of you tweeting when in fact this is already a history when it appears right?, surely it defeats the purpose…
I thing addressing the “real time issue” will just go about it. Basically what the use of you tweeting when in fact this is already a history when it appears right?, surely it defeats the purpose…
I thing addressing the “real time issue” will just go about it. Basically what the use of you tweeting when in fact this is already a history when it appears right?, surely it defeats the purpose…
I thing addressing the “real time issue” will just go about it. Basically what the use of you tweeting when in fact this is already a history when it appears right?, surely it defeats the purpose…
I thing addressing the “real time issue” will just go about it. Basically what the use of you tweeting when in fact this is already a history when it appears right?, surely it defeats the purpose…
I thing addressing the “real time issue” will just go about it. Basically what the use of you tweeting when in fact this is already a history when it appears right?, surely it defeats the purpose…
I thing addressing the “real time issue” will just go about it. Basically what the use of you tweeting when in fact this is already a history when it appears right?, surely it defeats the purpose…
I thing addressing the “real time issue” will just go about it. Basically what the use of you tweeting when in fact this is already a history when it appears right?, surely it defeats the purpose…
I thing addressing the “real time issue” will just go about it. Basically what the use of you tweeting when in fact this is already a history when it appears right?, surely it defeats the purpose…
I thing addressing the “real time issue” will just go about it. Basically what the use of you tweeting when in fact this is already a history when it appears right?, surely it defeats the purpose…
I thing addressing the “real time issue” will just go about it. Basically what the use of you tweeting when in fact this is already a history when it appears right?, surely it defeats the purpose…
I thing addressing the “real time issue” will just go about it. Basically what the use of you tweeting when in fact this is already a history when it appears right?, surely it defeats the purpose…
I thing addressing the “real time issue” will just go about it. Basically what the use of you tweeting when in fact this is already a history when it appears right?, surely it defeats the purpose…
I thing addressing the “real time issue” will just go about it. Basically what the use of you tweeting when in fact this is already a history when it appears right?, surely it defeats the purpose…
I thing addressing the “real time issue” will just go about it. Basically what the use of you tweeting when in fact this is already a history when it appears right?, surely it defeats the purpose…
I thing addressing the “real time issue” will just go about it. Basically what the use of you tweeting when in fact this is already a history when it appears right?, surely it defeats the purpose…
I thing addressing the “real time issue” will just go about it. Basically what the use of you tweeting when in fact this is already a history when it appears right?, surely it defeats the purpose…
I thing addressing the “real time issue” will just go about it. Basically what the use of you tweeting when in fact this is already a history when it appears right?, surely it defeats the purpose…
I thing addressing the “real time issue” will just go about it. Basically what the use of you tweeting when in fact this is already a history when it appears right?, surely it defeats the purpose…
I agree Zee this has to be an option otherwise the real-time search will suffer. Twitter is supposed to help level the playing field for the small brands, but with this popularity search it will make the big even bigger and the small ever smaller.
There will be a small backlash if this is optional, and a massive backlash if this isn't optional. Twitter better be careful on how they operate their business or their now flattened growth will turn to future downward growth.
I agree Zee this has to be an option otherwise the real-time search will suffer. Twitter is supposed to help level the playing field for the small brands, but with this popularity search it will make the big even bigger and the small ever smaller.
There will be a small backlash if this is optional, and a massive backlash if this isn't optional. Twitter better be careful on how they operate their business or their now flattened growth will turn to future downward growth.
I agree Zee this has to be an option otherwise the real-time search will suffer. Twitter is supposed to help level the playing field for the small brands, but with this popularity search it will make the big even bigger and the small ever smaller.
There will be a small backlash if this is optional, and a massive backlash if this isn't optional. Twitter better be careful on how they operate their business or their now flattened growth will turn to future downward growth.
I agree Zee this has to be an option otherwise the real-time search will suffer. Twitter is supposed to help level the playing field for the small brands, but with this popularity search it will make the big even bigger and the small ever smaller.
There will be a small backlash if this is optional, and a massive backlash if this isn't optional. Twitter better be careful on how they operate their business or their now flattened growth will turn to future downward growth.
I agree Zee this has to be an option otherwise the real-time search will suffer. Twitter is supposed to help level the playing field for the small brands, but with this popularity search it will make the big even bigger and the small ever smaller.
There will be a small backlash if this is optional, and a massive backlash if this isn't optional. Twitter better be careful on how they operate their business or their now flattened growth will turn to future downward growth.
I agree Zee this has to be an option otherwise the real-time search will suffer. Twitter is supposed to help level the playing field for the small brands, but with this popularity search it will make the big even bigger and the small ever smaller.
There will be a small backlash if this is optional, and a massive backlash if this isn't optional. Twitter better be careful on how they operate their business or their now flattened growth will turn to future downward growth.
I agree Zee this has to be an option otherwise the real-time search will suffer. Twitter is supposed to help level the playing field for the small brands, but with this popularity search it will make the big even bigger and the small ever smaller.
There will be a small backlash if this is optional, and a massive backlash if this isn't optional. Twitter better be careful on how they operate their business or their now flattened growth will turn to future downward growth.
I agree Zee this has to be an option otherwise the real-time search will suffer. Twitter is supposed to help level the playing field for the small brands, but with this popularity search it will make the big even bigger and the small ever smaller.
There will be a small backlash if this is optional, and a massive backlash if this isn't optional. Twitter better be careful on how they operate their business or their now flattened growth will turn to future downward growth.
I agree Zee this has to be an option otherwise the real-time search will suffer. Twitter is supposed to help level the playing field for the small brands, but with this popularity search it will make the big even bigger and the small ever smaller.
There will be a small backlash if this is optional, and a massive backlash if this isn't optional. Twitter better be careful on how they operate their business or their now flattened growth will turn to future downward growth.
I agree Zee this has to be an option otherwise the real-time search will suffer. Twitter is supposed to help level the playing field for the small brands, but with this popularity search it will make the big even bigger and the small ever smaller.
There will be a small backlash if this is optional, and a massive backlash if this isn't optional. Twitter better be careful on how they operate their business or their now flattened growth will turn to future downward growth.
When I first started using Twitter, one of the things I absolutely loved about it was that everyone was equal on it. That's one of the things that makes it strong. If I want to hear what the pundits say, I'll follow their blogs or look at Google. If I want to hear what the people are saying, I'll search twitter. The little people made Twitter powerful — not the household names. #fail
My only hope is that if enough people speak out about this Twitter will listen… like in the beginning when the @ and the RT were born. But I fear that's old history and this is what change looks like now that Twitter's playing with big money and the big brands.
When I first started using Twitter, one of the things I absolutely loved about it was that everyone was equal on it. That's one of the things that makes it strong. If I want to hear what the pundits say, I'll follow their blogs or look at Google. If I want to hear what the people are saying, I'll search twitter. The little people made Twitter powerful — not the household names. #fail
My only hope is that if enough people speak out about this Twitter will listen… like in the beginning when the @ and the RT were born. But I fear that's old history and this is what change looks like now that Twitter's playing with big money and the big brands.
When I first started using Twitter, one of the things I absolutely loved about it was that everyone was equal on it. That's one of the things that makes it strong. If I want to hear what the pundits say, I'll follow their blogs or look at Google. If I want to hear what the people are saying, I'll search twitter. The little people made Twitter powerful — not the household names. #fail
My only hope is that if enough people speak out about this Twitter will listen… like in the beginning when the @ and the RT were born. But I fear that's old history and this is what change looks like now that Twitter's playing with big money and the big brands.
When I first started using Twitter, one of the things I absolutely loved about it was that everyone was equal on it. That's one of the things that makes it strong. If I want to hear what the pundits say, I'll follow their blogs or look at Google. If I want to hear what the people are saying, I'll search twitter. The little people made Twitter powerful — not the household names. #fail
My only hope is that if enough people speak out about this Twitter will listen… like in the beginning when the @ and the RT were born. But I fear that's old history and this is what change looks like now that Twitter's playing with big money and the big brands.
When I first started using Twitter, one of the things I absolutely loved about it was that everyone was equal on it. That's one of the things that makes it strong. If I want to hear what the pundits say, I'll follow their blogs or look at Google. If I want to hear what the people are saying, I'll search twitter. The little people made Twitter powerful — not the household names. #fail
My only hope is that if enough people speak out about this Twitter will listen… like in the beginning when the @ and the RT were born. But I fear that's old history and this is what change looks like now that Twitter's playing with big money and the big brands.