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How to Leverage Twitter’s Revealed Algorithm to grow your audience
Craig Cherlet
September 16, 2023
Elon Musk took a bold step when he took over Twitter: he unveiled the source code of Twitter's algorithm.
While Musk has always been known for his audacious moves, this one stands out due to the implications it holds for Twitter's massive user base and, frankly, for the broader social media ecosystem.
The move is seen by many as Musk's attempt to shed light on the shadowy corridors of social media, which have increasingly come under scrutiny for their role in the spread of misinformation, polarization, and the manipulation of public sentiment.
As someone deeply entrenched in the tech world, Musk understands that transparency is a powerful tool in holding platforms accountable.
He hopes that by unveiling the algorithm, there will be more community participation in its development, addressing some of the platform's most pressing concerns.
Twitter's official response was to upload the source code in two GitHub repositories.
The immediate question for many of us, especially content creators and influencers, was: How can we utilize this information to curate content that not only resonates but also enhances our personal brand on Twitter?
Thankfully, the Twitterati didn't disappoint.
Cracking The Code: What We Know So Far
Understanding Algorithm Priorities: Thanks to a deep dive into the code, Twitter user Akash Gupta (@aakashg0) made an interesting discovery. The algorithm assigns a 30x boost for every like, a 20x boost for each retweet, and only a 1x boost for a reply. This indicates that accruing likes can have a more profound impact on your content's reach than retweets or replies. Additionally, incorporating videos and images can give your tweets a 2x boost.
The Blue Impact: Subscribing to Twitter Blue and getting that coveted blue tick could enhance your organic reach.
Engagement Metrics: Various user actions have repercussions on engagement. For instance, while a like adds a 0.5 positive score, a report against your tweet can reduce your score by a whopping 369 points. It’s important to understand these metrics and strive for positive engagement.
The Importance of Accurate Spelling: The algorithm considers misspelled words as an 'unknown language' with a rating of just 0.01. Ensuring your tweets are error-free has never been more crucial.
User Clustering: Twitter's algorithm groups users based on their content type. If you consistently tweet about Bollywood, for instance, you’ll be clustered with similar accounts. Straying from your niche, or posting "out of network" content, can negatively impact your reach.
Still a Mystery: Despite this significant reveal, some features remain elusive. Twitter’s latest addition, Bookmarks, is notably absent from the disclosed code.
Implications and Reactions
TweetHunter's co-founder Tibo lauded Musk's decision, emphasizing its potential in ensuring transparency, rectifying existing issues, and creating a level playing field for all content creators.
It's a sentiment many share. By demystifying the algorithm, Twitter users can now operate from a place of knowledge, rather than speculation.
However, this is only the beginning.
While a significant chunk of the algorithm has been laid bare, more is yet to be revealed.
The tech world waits with bated breath, eager to see how Twitter will navigate these uncharted waters.
One thing is clear: Elon Musk's move has set the stage for a broader conversation about the power dynamics between social media giants and their users.
Whether you view it as a masterstroke or a disruptive move, it's undeniably a significant step towards transparency in the digital age.
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