New Twitter Feature: “Notes”, a way to write longer tweets

Twitter (via @TwitterWrite) has announced a new feature that allows users to post long-form content on the platform, which currently allows only posts of up to 280 characters. “A small group of writers are helping us test Notes. They can be read on and off Twitter, by people in most countries,” says Twitter in thr announcement.

Twitter calls this one Notes, and the company says, via TechCrunch, that it allows users to write articles with formatting and media uploading options that can be tweeted and shared with followers. 

Users in the U.S, U.K, Canada, and Ghana now have access to Notes as part of the initial testing phase. They will start to see a new “Write” tab, which is where they can write and access all of their Notes. In addition to this, they will also see a new “Notes” tab on their profile where all of their published content is stored; making it easy for those who follow them to have access.

Twitter’s Notes has a user interface that is fairly basic. It has all the regular elements of a blog post composer, including the capacity to include header images, to insert images and links within the text, and a streamlined option to add in tweets. Once published, Notes will appear as a Twitter card, linking users through to the full post.

Social Media Expert, Matt Navarra, who happens to be among the beta testers, tweeted an example of a Twitter Note. Just tap the area and it takes you directly to the Note.

Here’s how to think of it… the title of a Twitter Note has up 100 characters or less but the body can take up to 2,500 words. And so, after you’ve created the Note, you might tweet an idea or a concept from it. Anyone who needs a clarification will tap the link and get the full gist.

Furthermore, this gives users the ability to undo something they’ve written as the Edit feature is currently exclusive to Twitter’s paid subscribers.

Twitter Notes has the potential to change how some people use Twitter to share their more in-depth thoughts and ideas. The new feature could be particularly useful for those users who infrequently publish article-length content and don’t want the hassle of setting up and maintaining their own blog or website.