Only problem is that Twitter has quietly created a society of Haves versus Have-nots with this beta release of Lists. While the large population of Twitter may not notice this, the smaller group of digital influencers are slowly being divided with this. They need to implement this feature in a widespread manner soon or risk the malcontent of their 2nd and 3rd tier influencers.
Courtenay
· 2 months ago
Agree with Damien... too many people are still left out! Scoble talked about lists at his panel during BWE09 and only one person in the audience seemed to have access.
Geoff
· 2 months ago
Yeah, sounds great... if you're on Twitter's List to receive the List. We're getting a lot of info about it.. BUT not the ability to access it. Starting to get very tired of being treated as a second class user by Twitter!!!!!!!!!!!!
Green Hat SEO
· 2 months ago
I take it you got the OK from Twitter to post about this since they did ask you not to just yet?
"You're part of a small group receiving this feature, so don't tweet about it yet!"
briansolis
· 2 months ago
I understand what everyone is saying and I appreciate the feedback.
To be honest, I've had access for a bit, but didn't realize it wasn't widely available as beta until yesterday. I was having a discussion with Michael Pranikoff from PRNewswire as we were preparing for our Webinar this week...seems he's getting a lot of questions about it...so, I wrote the post. While Twitter may seem to be dividing consumers based on a "class system" perhaps it's more on us than it is on them. Facebook has tested and released new features in stages for years. And, Google Wave has been releasing invites in waves without too much of push back for two very good reasons (two reasons I believe that Twitter is employing as well):
1) Twitter has to roll it out to select users so that the system isn't crushed upon official release 2) There are more questions than answers out there and whether or not we're supposed to write about it, it helps pave the way for understanding and acceptance.
I wrote this post to help people interpret the rationale for the introduction of lists and how to use them effectively when they're widely released.
Michael Pranikoff
· 2 months ago
Great post Brian. I'm glad that I brought this up with you in our conversation yesterday. I look forward to talking about with you tomorrow on our webinar. Everything that I've read about the new Twitter Lists is very interesting. I don't object much to being left out of the beta - and am not surprised that I would be since I'm not a power Twitter user.
I think it may be interesting to see how some of the Twitter tools like TweetDeck and HootSuite react to this. One of the reasons I've used services like this is to help break through some of the noise by creating lists.
I look forward to continuing this discussion.
- Michael
Courtenay
· 2 months ago
I have no problem with people writing about the lists feature... my problem is that Twitter is haphazardly rolling it out and frustrating its most fervent supporters. Plus, considering the time-sink creating lists is, having so many "big" Twitter people making their lists early may mean many have-nots get left off lists as early haves don't want to time-sink again. Thus, lists ends up being Twitter's hand-picked recommended users again.
Maggie
· 2 months ago
This is a great development for Twitter! Categorizing followers will enable Companies/Individuals to engage their communities with much higher efficiency. Currently, relevant tweets can get lost in the 'noise,' but lists will greatly reduce that phenomenon
lizzymagvire
· 2 months ago
I am an active member of Twitter so always love to read about Twitter. So I really enjoyed reading your post and it's good to know this news. fitflop
Britt
· 2 months ago
Loved getting tips from you on this via your free webinar today. It was brilliant by the way! Thanks.
briansolis
· 2 months ago
Thank you!
Rhonda Porter
· 2 months ago
Great explanation, Brian... this helps me a lot :)
All Comments
"You're part of a small group receiving this feature, so don't tweet about it yet!"
To be honest, I've had access for a bit, but didn't realize it wasn't widely available as beta until yesterday. I was having a discussion with Michael Pranikoff from PRNewswire as we were preparing for our Webinar this week...seems he's getting a lot of questions about it...so, I wrote the post. While Twitter may seem to be dividing consumers based on a "class system" perhaps it's more on us than it is on them. Facebook has tested and released new features in stages for years. And, Google Wave has been releasing invites in waves without too much of push back for two very good reasons (two reasons I believe that Twitter is employing as well):
1) Twitter has to roll it out to select users so that the system isn't crushed upon official release
2) There are more questions than answers out there and whether or not we're supposed to write about it, it helps pave the way for understanding and acceptance.
I wrote this post to help people interpret the rationale for the introduction of lists and how to use them effectively when they're widely released.
I think it may be interesting to see how some of the Twitter tools like TweetDeck and HootSuite react to this. One of the reasons I've used services like this is to help break through some of the noise by creating lists.
I look forward to continuing this discussion.
- Michael
fitflop