Twitter Creates A New Feature For You Based On The Algorithm, Similar To TikTok's "For Your Page" Feature

Twitter created a new feature similar to TikTok. (photo: dock. Twitter)

JAKARTA - Twitter changes the way you move between algorithm-driven timelines and inverse chronology and turns algorithmic feeds into defaults.

In first-launched changes to iOS users, Twitter has removed the star button at the top right that lets you switch between two feeds. Instead there are two tabs - one labeled "For You" (For You) and the other "Follow" (Follow) - and when you open the app, you will see the tab For You first.

Some of you on iOS and Android will also see recommended content in a new video carousel on the Explore "For You" page.Want to go back to scrolling? Tap the back arrow in the top left corner to exit the player to go right back to where you left off. pic.twitter.com/J2EFfAAJnf

— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) October 5, 2022

For You, which shares a name with a TikTok algorithm-based feed, is similar to the old "Home" option, which displays tweets from people you follow, interspersed with tweets you might like. This isn't the first time Twitter has copied the TikTok feature. The feature Following (Following) is what used to be called "The Latest Tweet".

The “For you” and “Following” tabs replace “Home” and “Latest” and will be pinned to the top of your timeline so you can easily switch between them. Swipe to switch timelines instead of tapping the ✨ icon.

— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) January 11, 2023

Changes make Twitter more accessible to switch between some features, as now only one sweep is needed instead of a few taps. But something is missing. Especially if you set the app to display the "Renewst Tweet", which is usually attached to the old version.

Now, even when you close the app and reopen it, you are shown a pass For you (for You). That's a little disappointing because there are many people who much prefer a reverse chronological feed, and previous attempts to get rid of it or complicate access that usually triggers the user's anger.

While this change technically makes it easier to access from algorithmic timelines, this clearly makes the last option harder to ignore. But old interfaces with stellar buttons are still available on Android and web, at least for now.

The changes partially fulfilled a promise from Twitter CEO Elon Musk. On December 20, he tweeted that "the main timeline should allow easy side-by-side friction between the top topics, the latest, trends, and those you follow," and said the company would "immediately make these changes".

So far, there is no option to shift to trending and the topics being followed, although the trending page is only a few taps in the search menu.