Twitter (and Threads) Have Made a HUGE Mistake

Summary

The video explores the creator's experiment comparing engagement on Twitter, Threads, and Blue Sky, revealing how platform algorithms downrank certain types of content, particularly links, and manipulate user experience. The creator discusses frustrations with how platforms prioritize attention-seeking content over meaningful engagement, leading to less control over content reach and conversion. They highlight the advantages of Blue Sky, which allows for more organic engagement and greater user-driven interaction. Ultimately, the video raises concerns about the societal impact of platform manipulation and the need for better alternatives that empower creators and users alike.

Takeaways

• 😀 The user experimented by posting the same content on Twitter, Threads, and Blue Sky to compare engagement and platform performance.
• 😀 Twitter and Threads show significant differences in engagement, with Blue Sky often outperforming them in terms of likes and reach.
• 😀 Links are down-ranked on Twitter and Threads, limiting creators' ability to drive traffic to other platforms or promote content.
• 😀 Algorithms on Twitter and Threads prioritize keeping users on the platform, even at the expense of content visibility or creator success.
• 😀 Despite a creator's efforts, links are often buried in Twitter and Threads, particularly when they lead to external content like YouTube videos or online stores.
• 😀 Blue Sky's algorithm doesn't down-rank links and encourages users to click through to external content, making it more creator-friendly.
• 😀 Social media platforms manipulate engagement through algorithms, often hindering creators from converting engagement into meaningful results.
• 😀 There’s a frustration with how platforms manipulate content for their own gain, reducing the value creators get from their posts.
• 😀 The user perceives Blue Sky as offering a better experience for creators due to its less manipulative algorithm and more organic reach.
• 😀 Twitter's constant manipulation through autoplay videos and engagement bait contributes to a frustrating user experience, further driving creators away.
• 😀 The user feels that platforms like Twitter and Threads exploit content creators by limiting their ability to use social media for meaningful business or personal goals.

Q & A

What was the purpose of the experiment mentioned in the transcript?

The purpose of the experiment was to compare the engagement of similar posts across Twitter, Threads, and Blue Sky, to see how different platforms respond to the same content.

What were the key findings from posting the same content on Twitter, Threads, and Blue Sky?

The experiment revealed mixed results, with Blue Sky generally outperforming Twitter and Threads in terms of engagement, especially when it came to posts with links. Blue Sky showed greater user interaction and less algorithmic downranking of links.

How does the speaker feel about the fragmentation of social media platforms?

The speaker expresses frustration with the fragmentation, as they feel compelled to use multiple platforms to maximize their content’s reach, even though they dislike the added effort and complexity.

What issue does the speaker highlight with Twitter and Threads regarding links?

The speaker points out that both Twitter and Threads downrank links in their algorithms, making it harder for creators to drive traffic away from the platforms (e.g., to their own websites, videos, or events).

What was the speaker’s reaction to the algorithmic downranking of links?

The speaker is frustrated because despite creating valuable content, their efforts are undercut by algorithms that prioritize in-app engagement over content that links out, such as videos or sales pages.

Why does the speaker feel that platforms like Twitter and Threads manipulate users?

The speaker believes platforms manipulate users by prioritizing content that keeps users within the app for longer periods, using engagement bait and autoplay features, which in turn affect creators' visibility and ability to convert attention into real-world actions.

How does Blue Sky differ from Twitter and Threads in terms of content engagement?

Blue Sky is presented as a more favorable platform for creators, where content, including links, is less likely to be downranked. This results in higher engagement and more opportunities for creators to drive traffic and interact meaningfully with users.

What example did the speaker provide to demonstrate Blue Sky’s higher engagement compared to Twitter and Threads?

The speaker mentioned a specific post about a comedy fundraiser, where Blue Sky garnered significantly more likes (718) compared to Twitter (137) and Threads (64), highlighting Blue Sky's more favorable engagement for niche or smaller audience content.

What concern does the speaker raise about the advertising models used by Twitter and Threads?

The speaker criticizes the advertising model used by Twitter and Threads, arguing that it is societally destructive and makes the experience worse for users by focusing on maximizing in-app time and ad revenue rather than fostering genuine content discovery and engagement.

What solution or alternative does the speaker propose for social media platforms?

The speaker advocates for a platform like Blue Sky, which does not heavily prioritize in-app engagement or advertising and instead allows for more organic content discovery and less manipulation of both creators and users.