twitter.com

Twitter.com Background & evolution

Twitter began in 2006. Its founders were Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone and Evan Williams. (Wikipedia) It was originally a side-project of a company called Odeo and then spun out. (Wikipedia)

In its classic form Twitter was a microblogging site where you posted short updates (“tweets”), followed others, used hashtags and mentions. (Webwise.ie) Over time it added richer media, hashtags, trending topics and became a major platform for news, comments, public conversation.

A big change: in October 2022, Elon Musk acquired Twitter for about US $44 billion. (Wikipedia) In mid-2023 the platform was rebranded as “X” and the domain moved from twitter.com to x.com (though many users still call it “Twitter”). (Wikipedia)

What it is & how it works

At its base: users sign up, create an account, post updates (text, images, videos, links). These posts are visible to your followers (and depending on settings, to others). (TechTarget) You can follow others, like their posts, reply, retweet. Hashtags (#) let you tag topics, @ mentions let you reference users. (Webwise.ie)

Originally tweets were limited to 140 characters, later 280. (Wikipedia) Over time other functions were added: direct messaging, media embedding, lists, etc.

From a business / organisational angle: Twitter is used by brands, news organisations, public figures, customer-service teams. It serves as a rapid information channel. (cui.edu)

Key features & uses

• Real-time information flow: One of the important things about Twitter/X is how quickly content can spread. For instance, it was reportedly among the first places a major event was posted. (TechTarget)

• Public conversations: Because most content is visible (unless private/protected), many users treat the platform as a public stage rather than a private chat.

• For individuals & businesses: Individuals use it to share thoughts, commentary, build followers; businesses use it for engagement, updates, monitoring. (marketingdonut.co.uk)

• Multimedia & links: It supports text, images, video, links. Embedded media has become central. (WIRED)

• Platform features: Following, favourites/likes, retweets, trending topics, hashtags, mentions. Also then advanced features like subscription/monetisation (premium accounts) under “X”. (Wikipedia)

Major recent changes & controversies

• Rebranding: As noted above, Twitter changed its name to X, changed branding, domain, logo. (Wikipedia)

• Ownership & strategy shift: With Musk’s takeover, the platform shifted toward a broader “everything app” vision — adding features beyond just micro-blogging (payments, longer posts, etc). (Wikipedia)

• Content moderation, disinformation concerns: Under the new regime there has been criticism of how misinformation, bots, moderation are handled. (Wikipedia)

• User metrics & business model: The platform’s user numbers are somewhat opaque. Some decline in usage reported by third parties. (Wikipedia)

• Premium services & monetisation: The shift toward subscription features, verification paid tiers etc. (Wikipedia)

Strengths & weaknesses

Strengths

• Speed of information: News breaks here first many times.

• Public visibility & reach: A single post can reach many.

• Engagement possibilities: Direct connections to public figures, brands, communities.

• Simplicity: The core act of posting short messages makes it easy to use.

Weaknesses / Risks

• Public nature: Because much content is public, posts may have long-term visibility and personal-brand implications. (Webwise.ie)

• Misinformation / moderation challenges: The platform has struggled with harmful content, bots, manipulation. (Wikipedia)

• Monetisation & stability questions: Changes under new ownership mean uncertain business model and potential changes in user experience.

• Dependency on following/followers: Reach is often tied to how many followers you have and how people engage with your content.

Why it matters

For individuals: It’s a tool for voice, visibility, commentary. If used well, one can connect with others around shared interests, build a following, stay updated on topics in real time.

For businesses/organisations: It’s a channel for audience engagement, reputation management, customer service, brand commentary. It’s also a place to monitor what people are saying about your sector or brand.

For society: Because of its public nature, Twitter/X functions as part of the infrastructure of public discourse — news, politics, crisis reporting, trend tracking happen here. That also means it has outsized importance and scrutiny.

Practical tips for use

• Think carefully about your profile and handle (username). Make sure it aligns with how you want others to find you. (cui.edu)

• Use hashtags and mentions to join conversations or reach broader audiences.

• Engage, don’t just broadcast. Retweets, replies and interactions build network value. (marketingdonut.co.uk)

• Be conscious of what you post: since many posts remain visible, they can affect your future opportunities. (Webwise.ie)

• For businesses: monitor your brand mentions, respond to customer queries, use the platform for both content and feedback.

• Stay aware of changes to policy, moderation or feature sets — things are shifting under new leadership.

• If you’re using it as a marketing channel, track what kind of posts get engagement and adjust.

Looking ahead

Because of the rebranding and ongoing strategic shifts, the future of Twitter/X is in flux. Some changes to watch:

• How the “everything app” vision develops (payments, long-form content, other services).

• How content moderation and trust are managed.

• How user numbers and engagement evolve (whether growth will continue, stabilise, or decline).

• For businesses: how advertising and monetisation changes impact your ability to reach audiences.

Key takeaways

• Twitter started as a micro-blogging service in 2006 and became a major platform for real-time public conversation.

• Features: short posts, following/followers, hashtags, multimedia, public timeline.

• Recently rebranded to X, ownership changed, business model shifting.

• Its strength lies in rapid reach and public visibility; its risks lie in moderation, permanence of posts, business model uncertainty.

• Good use requires strategic thinking — what you post, how you engage, how you build network.

FAQ

Q: Is Twitter still called “Twitter”?
A: Technically no — the service has been rebranded as X. However, many users still refer to it as Twitter. (Wikipedia)

Q: What’s the character limit on posts?
A: Originally 140 characters; later expanded to 280. (Wikipedia) Some premium tiers may have additional allowances under the new platform.

Q: Can I use it without an account?
A: To fully engage (post, follow, reply) you need an account. Some content may be viewable publicly without logging in, but functionality is limited. (TechTarget)

Q: Is it safe for young people / private information?
A: The public nature of posts means you should be cautious about sharing personal or sensitive content. Even if you think a post is harmless, it can be shared further than you expect. (Webwise.ie)

Q: How do businesses use it?
A: Businesses use it for engagement (listening & responding), branding (building voice), promotion, customer service (monitoring mentions), and analytics. (marketingdonut.co.uk)