It’s no secret, video is where it’s at.
And because video is where it’s at, hopefully you’re making lots of videos to promote on your channels. But alas, not all platforms are created equal. Right now, TikTok of course, wins the war on keeping users invested on their app when it comes to video content.
Which would be fine except…
TikTok isn’t the friendliest of the mainstream platforms to cam models and the industry. Twitter is, so it’s refreshing to learn that they’re working to amplify video content and improve how it’s showcased.
Twitter’s first new update gives users the ability to make videos larger on the screen. If you remember, the full layout option didn’t fare well for Meta (parent company of Instagram), and they had to roll the feature back as discussed by Instagram chief, Adam Mosseri:
“I’m glad we took a risk — if we’re not failing every once in a while, we’re not thinking big enough or bold enough,” Mosseri said. “But we definitely need to take a big step back and regroup. [When] we’ve learned a lot, then we come back with some sort of new idea or iteration. So, we’re going to work through that.”
Where Meta messed up was the fact that they shoved their full layout screen down people’s throats. Users didn’t have a choice, they had to look at it whether they liked it or not – and when people don’t have choices, they get their feathers ruffled. Furious folks soon took to Twitter with complaints and it ended in Meta being given a slap on the wrist by the Kardashians.
Twitter obviously was paying attention and made sure not to make the same mistake.
They, like Meta, want to keep viewers engaged longer by highlighting video, but instead of forcing it on people like Meta did, Twitter made their new screen layout optional. The user simply taps/clicks the video to expand it and hits the back arrow button to return to the original Tweet.
Smart!
In the second update, Twitter found a way to share popular and trending content to keep users on the app longer. Instead of flooding their users’ feed with unwanted videos and posts, as Meta did, Twitter put the power in the people’s hands. If someone wants to see new content, they now head to the Explore Tab where the updated Video Carousel resides. From there they click the For You button to see new tweets, trends and videos that will appeal to them. Hopefully Twitter’s analytics are up to par, so folks get shown things they’d actually be interested in, but it’s certainly a step up from Meta’s shove content down people’s throats policy.
Now that Twitter is testing the waters to create a space that’s friendlier for short form videos it makes even more sense for you to up your content game. With the new features, users will be making the choice to search for the next big thing – YOU.
Photo credit: iStock.com/hapabapa
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Alyssa Collins hails from Minnesota, where snowy days were the perfect excuse to stay warm inside and write. Over the years, she turned that joy into a career and has authored numerous articles for various publications (under pen names). Email Alyssa via alyssa@ynot.com.
