Musk replied to a tweet from a user complaining about the new view count feature. The user said that tweets have become “too messy” with the new metric shoved at the bottom of a tweet.

Musk said that the company plans to clean up the look of tweets with the new view count. He also says that, eventually, users can turn off view counts.

Musk and the engineering team at Twitter recently added the view count feature to tweets. Musk shared plans for the feature on December 22, and most users began seeing view counts shortly after.

A feature traditionally kept for video only, view count shows a user how many times other users have seen their tweets. It shows up at the bottom of a tweet, to the left of the retweets and likes.

Many users are upset with the feature, saying it’s unnecessary and doesn’t fit well in its current iteration.

But it’s hard to argue against the usefulness of the new view count as a metric to measure reach.

It shows how many people have seen the tweet, giving users great insight into what kind of content gains the most traction.

It has become common at Twitter for Musk to launch new features with little to no discussion first. He then gauges user interest in that feature before deciding whether or not to keep the new feature as it is.

We saw this with the launch of paid verification through Twitter Blue and the uproar that came after.

It will be interesting to see what view counts look like after Musk and the Twitter team have time to modify and adjust the new feature.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Mastodon surges past 2 million users, but will people keep using it?
• Elon Musk plans to make Twitter polls pay-to-win
• Who’s the most followed person on Instagram?
• TikTok will start telling users why it recommends videos

The post Elon Musk says tweet view counts will soon be optional appeared first on KnowTechie.

Whenever you’re scrolling through Facebook, do you ever think about who is looking at your profile?

We can get a decent idea of some people who see our posts through likes and comments, but what about people who browse through your profile without liking or commenting?

By now, I’m sure we’ve all seen those third-party apps or websites that say they can tell you who’s looking at your profile.

While most of these apps and websites are obviously sketchy, it can lead you to wonder whether or not it’s possible to track the people visiting your Facebook profile.

It doesn’t seem too crazy that it could be possible.

Facebook is notorious for tracking as much of its users’ browsing activity as possible, so why wouldn’t it be possible for a third-party app to track users who click on your profile?

So, is it possible?

Can you really see who looks at your Facebook profile?

Short answer: No

Unfortunately, there’s no way to see who has been visiting your Facebook profile.

While many apps and websites claim they do this, Facebook has said there is no way to check who viewed your profile:

Even though the social giant collects and stores all kinds of data regarding users’ social media browsing, the company does not allow any third party to use that information for tracking purposes.

This data is only used for the company’s own advertising platform, and giving third-party access to that data would be a huge privacy risk for everyone on the platform.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• How to block someone’s profile on Instagram
• How to mute someone on Facebook
• Here’s how to change your name on Facebook
• How to set up Facebook Pay

The post Can you see who looks at your Facebook profile? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Gaining followers and increasing engagement after a well-edited post or strategic campaign is chef’s kiss-level satisfying.

But what happens if you get shadowbanned? It’s not a total ban, but it’s tragic.

This post will cover what a shadowban means and how to avoid one. Ready to jump in?

What does it mean to get shadowbanned on Instagram?

Your Instagram usage may not be bad enough to receive the permanent ban hammer from Meta, so a shadowban is the soft version.

Users can still operate accounts, but your posts have drastically reduced visibility. The algorithm sees shadowbanned accounts and gives them less priority in feeds. 

All your efforts to build an organic cult following or execute an expensive marketing strategy could be all for nothing, so ensure you aren’t already shadowbanned by checking your analytics.

If you’re in the clear, take note of these essential tips so you stay favored by Instagram’s algorithm.

Stop trying to make those hashtags happen

Banned hashtags exist. Type them into Instagram’s search before committing them to a comment when doing keyword research.

If you don’t see any posts for that hashtag, there’s probably a reason — don’t think you’re setting the trend by being first. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Another hashtag tip — it’s not ideal to be irrelevant, either.

To expand audiences, some users put popular hashtags in their descriptions that don’t apply to the post to get new eyes on the account.

If Instagram catches you trying to be sneaky this way, that’s a red flag for them to shadowban you.

Read the terms and conditions

The community guidelines are the bread and butter of Instagram life.

Any violation could get you instantly shadowbanned, so if you’re concerned you are or will accidentally break the rules, familiarize yourself with them instead. 

They cover everything from how to foster a fanbase of real people — not bots — and post content that makes viewers happy.

The platform strives to be positive and inclusive, and content that acts as a barrier to that goal will be punished. 

Give credit where credit is due

Many creative, innovative, and hard-working people share content on Instagram.

In a world where giving credit is celebrated, it doesn’t benefit anyone to plagiarize or steal writing or art for a few followers or increased engagement. 

The internet effectively scouts for copied content, and users can also submit reports if they see their posts on an account that isn’t theirs.

Repeated reports are a sign your content shouldn’t be in other feeds.

Original information is where it’s at, and it’s more interactive for the account and its followers because it sparks genuine conversations.

Don’t automate your way to the top 

Marketers and internet-savvy people have tried to optimize Instagram since it was born.

You can buy followers, incorporate third-party apps to automate an activity, and join number-hungry engagement pods to create an infinite feedback loop of engagement. 

Spoiler alert — all these strategies can get you shadowbanned.

Anything that signals to the app you’re acting like a bot or a part of groups that exploit users will result in repercussions.

Leave engagement pods, minimize third-party app access, and unfollow and block bots following and interacting with your content.

You don’t want to associate with them, and neither does Instagram.

Remember that content is Instagram royalty

Honestly, the most significant way to stay on Instagram’s good side is to make quality content.

There’s no reason to get followers or be on the platform if nobody cares about your feed.

Posting unique, informative content will keep people interested, regardless of what product you’re promoting. 

There are many avenues to express creative visions, especially since Instagram has expanded its features to include videos, reels, and highlights.

There’s probably still more in the works with future app updates.

Stay out of Instagram’s shadow

For most, avoiding a shadowban won’t require extra effort.

However, you might run into some issues if you’re trying to ramp up engagement fast or make it to the top of every hashtag in a split second.

The magic behind social media platforms is data, and that data can recognize suspicious activity like no other.

Engage authentically and creatively. You’ll be fine if you take time to socialize and express yourself on the platform as it was intended.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• How to change the font on your Instagram profile?
• Who’s the most followed person on Instagram?
• Instagram finally adds better way to get back lost accounts
• What is Vanish Mode on Instagram?

The post 5 tips to avoid getting shadowbanned on Instagram appeared first on KnowTechie.

Instagram is one of the world’s most popular social media networks. The Meta-owned photo-sharing app has more than a billion monthly users.

Many of Instagram’s users are celebrities, social media influencers, and other high-profile people with millions of followers worldwide. 

For famous people, Instagram is a great way to connect with fans and offer a glimpse into their lives. Celebrities also use Instagram to make money, signing lucrative endorsement deals with the world’s biggest brands.

By regularly uploading Instagram posts, adding Stories and conducting live streams, many celebrities have gone on to amass huge social media app followers over the past few years.

But who has the most followers on Instagram?

Who’s the most followed Instagram user?

Short answer: Instagram 

Surprisingly, the most followed Instagram user isn’t a human. It’s a company. And that company happens to be Instagram. Currently, the @Instagram account boasts 580 million followers.

Meanwhile, Portuguese professional footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo, is the most followed human on Instagram.

Since creating his Instagram account in October 2012, the Manchester United player has gone on to attract a whopping 520 million followers globally. 

Just to put this number in perspective, Ronaldo has more followers than the entire US population – which totals over 330 million people. 

READ MORE: Can you see who views your Instagram Stories?

His football club, Manchester United, also has a highly popular Instagram account. Its following count sits at 60.6 million people and is constantly growing. 

Who is the most followed woman on Instagram? 

The most followed woman on Instagram is Kylie Jenner. Best known for starring in Keeping Up With The Kardashians and launching Kylie Cosmetics, she has 375 million Instagram followers.

This also makes her the third most followed human on Instagram. Recently, Kylie made headlines for criticizing Instagram for becoming too much like TikTok.

Who else is the most followed person on Instagram?

The third most followed user on Instagram is another footballer, Lionel Messi. He hails from Argentina, plays for Paris Saint-Germain Football Club, and has 404 million Instagram followers.

In fifth place is American singer and actress Selena Gomez, with 365 million followers. She’s followed by Dwane Johnson (354 million followers) and Ariana Grande (345 million followers).

After that, you have Kim Kardashian (336 million followers), Beyoncé (287 million followers), and Khloe Kardashian (283 million followers). 

In a nutshell 

What all these record-breaking Instagram accounts have in common is that they are owned by individuals who are highly respected in their fields and admired by millions of people around the world.

They also post lots of content on their Instagram profiles, keeping people highly engaged.

As these celebrities continue to do big things, their Instagram followings will no doubt grow at the same time. 

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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The post Who’s the most followed person on Instagram? appeared first on KnowTechie.

The company announced this new feature on its website this week. The goal is to notify users of TikTok’s logic behind video recommendations.

When you’re scrolling through your For You page, the feature will be housed in the Share panel. Tap on the share button, tap ‘Why this video,’ and you’ll see why TikTok recommended the video.

TikTok recommends videos based on a variety of aspects. Maybe a particular video is popular with users in your region. Maybe it’s from an account that you follow.

You might see that a recommended video is similar to other videos you’ve liked or shared.

Regardless of the reasoning, you’ll get an explanation in the ‘Why this video section.’

TikTok’s new ‘Why this video’ feature is launching today on all devices. If you don’t see the option yet, don’t worry.

Features like this tend to roll out gradually, and this one should be available to everyone in the coming days.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• TikTok is now testing a full-screen horizontal mode
• Mastodon surges past 2 million users as Elon Musk ruins Twitter
• Tumblr adds livestreaming to Android and iOS app
• Meta brings Twitter-like Notes feature to Instagram

The post TikTok will start telling users why it recommends videos appeared first on KnowTechie.

Called Tumblr Live, the social media site is also planning a global release and the ability to go live on the desktop site.

While Tumblr has allowed some mature content back onto the site, the livestreaming feature is strictly clothes-on. Any violators of the community standards will be banned.

The same goes for copyrighted music. It’ll lead to strikes against your account and the removal of your stream. Do it too many times, and your account will disappear.

Livebox powers the livestreaming feature on Tumblr. The Meet Group, part of the dating app company ParshipMeet Group, owns the service.

Viewers can tip the streamers in a virtual currency called Diamonds. Streamers can also give moderation tools to trusted viewers, and Livebox has AI-powered moderation tools included, as well.

Tumblr Live uses Livebox to power its livestreaming

We fired up the iOS version of the app to investigate and found a total of five livestreams. Then again, it is early in the US, and the feature isn’t live on everyone’s devices yet.

Only your main blog account can go live. That might be a problem for creators with multiple side blogs attached to their main account.

Tumblr already had limited livestreaming capabilities. An update earlier this year added the ability to share streams from YouNow, YouTube, Kanvas, and Upclose to your blog.

Diversification for creators is never a bad thing. Tumblr adding its name to the list of monetizable livestreaming services could open creators up to new audiences.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• TikTok is now testing a full-screen horizontal mode
• Mastodon surges past 2 million users as Elon Musk ruins Twitter
• Meta brings Twitter-like Notes feature to Instagram
• ‘Post’ wants to be Twitter without the character limit

The post Tumblr adds livestreaming to Android and iOS app appeared first on KnowTechie.

Mastodon founder and CEO Eugen Rochko recently shared a blog post covering the jump in active users. The platform jumped from 300,000 users to around 2.5 million in October and November.

This comes as Elon Musk has taken over Twitter and pushed some questionable new rules and regulations on the platform.

One of the strangest, as Rochko notes, is banning links to other social platforms and suspending the Mastodon Twitter account.

Twitter has since pulled back on its ban on third-party links, and the @joinmastodon account is now reinstated.

But that’s not stopping people from abandoning Twitter in favor of the decentralized social platform.

Decentralization is what sets Mastodon apart from other social platforms. Users who create a Mastodon account choose a specific server to join.

That server is managed and moderated by an individual or group of people. And moderators generally organize each server around specific topics or interests.

Once you join a server, you can interact with or follow any Mastodon users, no matter which server they’re on.

Mastodon is the latest social platform to see a surge in users, thanks mainly to the chaos currently surrounding Twitter.

Maybe Mastodon will take Twitter’s place among the top few social platforms worldwide. With Elon Musk at the helm, who knows what will happen to the bird site?

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Twitter thinks Elon Musk should step down as Twitter’s CEO
• Meta brings Twitter-like Notes feature to Instagram
• TikTok is now testing a full-screen horizontal mode
• ‘Post’ wants to be Twitter without the character limit

The post Mastodon surges past 2 million users as Elon Musk ruins Twitter appeared first on KnowTechie.

Musk responded to a user suggesting that Blue subscribers should be the only ones able to vote in the polls. For reference, Twitter Blue costs $8 monthly ($11 if you are on iOS).

In his response, he notes that the user made a good point and that the company would make the change.

Ironically, this goes directly against a previous tweet, which said that all major policy changes would go to a vote on the platform.

At present, it is unclear if Musk’s tweet holds any weight. We’ve yet to see a “Twitter Blue-only” policy poll.

Considering the billionaire’s history of literally rewriting the rules on the fly, who’s to say if this change to Twitter policy polls will be implemented?

What is clear, however, is that Twitter is still a complete shitshow, and that doesn’t look to change anytime soon.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Quitting Twitter? Try any of these 7 alternatives
• Meta brings Twitter-like Notes feature to Instagram
• TikTok is now testing a full-screen horizontal mode
• Elon Musk showered with boos at Chappelle stand-up show

The post Elon Musk plans to make Twitter polls pay-to-win appeared first on KnowTechie.

Things are rapidly changing at the company. Musk fired the executive suite, making himself the company’s sole director, with unrestricted control.

In addition, moderation policies will likely be getting relaxed, as Musk has clarified he prefers a free-speech approach where everything goes.

Those changes will likely create more harassment of minorities, LGBTQIA+, and anyone Twitter trolls target.

We know that’s a lot to process. But you’re not alone. News of Musk’s Twitter takeover has prominent power users jumping ship.

If you’re looking for a ticket out of Dodge, we’ve rounded up some alternative Twitter replacements to flee the hellsite we all love. Here are all your options to use instead of Twitter.

Twitter alternatives to check out

Whether you use Twitter for your news, talking to friends, or microblogging, we’ve scoured the internet to find you some options.

All these Twitter-like replacements have moderation policies in place and, in most cases, mobile apps to go along with their website.

cohost

Cohost is a new social site that looks like Twitter and Tumblr had a baby. You can post, repost, or like other posts, and it has a very soothing material design.

It’s microblogging pared back to the essentials, and we’re all for it. The only issue right now is that there’s a waitlist if you sign up.

That’s only a few thousand people long right now, but expect that to grow as the site gets more coverage.

Counter Social

Created by a famed hacker and hacktivist, The Jester, Counter Social runs on a customized Mastodon instance.

It features tools to create communities, ways to watch news programming, and the ability to video chat.

The big draw here is that it promises “No trolls. No abuse. No ads.” and so on. Of course, you’d expect that from an anonymous hacker that served four “operational tours” in the U.S. Army.

Discord

Discord started life as a way for players of the popular MMO Final Fantasy XIV to communicate and organize in-game content. It’s since morphed into a social site with 150 million monthly active users.

Think of it as more early-internet chat rooms or Slack but for fun, and you’re not far off. You can text chat, voice chat, broadcast your gameplay, and more.

Mastodon

Mastodon is immediately recognizable for any longtime Twitter user. It copies most of the UI, except you send “toots” instead of “tweets.” Take that however you will.

The key difference is that Mastodon is open-source, with multiple servers at your disposal. There are no ads, and no one person can decide to pull the plug.

Reddit

Ahh, Reddit, the self-styled “front page of the internet.” If Twitter is for people to find you, Reddit is for you to find your people.

It’s more of an online forum with added social features organized into subreddits.

A subreddit could be organized around anything, from famous people to computer tech to complicated ideas broken down into toddler-sized explanations.

TikTok

One of the most popular social media sites, TikTok, rose to fame with remixed short videos of dances. Now the platform serves news, how-to tips, cooking recipes, and more in a familiar, never-ending stream.

The downside? ByteDance owns the site, who is located in China. You might be swapping from one authoritarian social media owner for another.

Post

Essentially, Post is yet another Twitter clone, but admittedly, this one does look extremely clean. Unlike Mastodon, navigation and connection seem easier, and the UI is much more reminiscent of Twitter.

That said, the platform is already making some big promises, many of which are unrealistic. The main one asking us to remember when social media was “fun.”

The platform offers some interesting features. There are no character limits, and posts feature the usual comment/like/share prompts.

However, the real intriguing part of Post comes in how it plans to deliver the news.

The plan here is to provide users a way to buy access to individual articles that are normally behind a paywall. Additionally, users can tip creators directly from the platform for content they enjoy.

There’s no direct replacement for Twitter

Finding a decent Twitter replacement isn’t easy.

While you can try to fit that bird-sized hole in your heart, there’s no direct alternative to Twitter. Nowhere else in social media can show you the news while conversing with strangers about the events.

That’s also true for emergencies, with government agencies at all levels using the platform to keep citizens informed.

There is also nowhere you can get instant replies from a wide range of experts. You might say Reddit is a good place for this, but Twitter currently verifies its experts.

LinkedIn is good for experts and networking, but we all know people who have gotten their best jobs from Twitter.

Even if you plan on sticking around, it’s a good idea to back up your Twitter data. You never know what might happen in the future.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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The post Quitting Twitter? Try any of these 7 alternatives appeared first on KnowTechie.

Twitter has pioneered its way to becoming one of the top social media platforms. The platform lets you tweet all kinds of content with a free-form layout that’s easy to understand.

The app is based on sharing tweets with no more than 280 characters.

However, Twitter is famous for not letting users edit the content of a tweet that they’ve sent. Instead, you have to delete the tweet and start over.

Even though you can’t directly edit a tweet once you’ve sent it, the delete function works almost as well.

It’s also nice to know that you have the ability to look back at some of your past bad takes and get rid of the evidence.

For that reason, deleting a tweet can be one of the most useful features for Twitter users.

How to delete a tweet on the Twitter website and mobile app

Twitter makes deleting a tweet a relatively simple task.

You won’t have to jump through hoops to find out how to delete your tweets, but it may not be super obvious at first.

First, we’ll take a look at deleting a tweet on the desktop Twitter website:

And that will permanently delete that tweet from your profile.

Deleting a tweet through the mobile app

The other way to delete a tweet is by using the Twitter mobile app.

The process is pretty similar, but the menus may look a little different:

1. Navigate to your profile and find the tweet you want to delete
2. Select the three-dot menu in the top right of the tweet
3. Select Delete Tweet
4. Confirm that you want to delete that tweet

Again, the menus for deleting a tweet may look different, depending on your device, but the process is the same.

Remember, this will permanently delete the tweet from your profile, but there’s no way to ensure that any content is permanently deleted from Twitter by doing this.

Someone could have screenshot your tweet and reposted it before you could delete it, so always be careful with what you share on social media.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• How to enable the Tip Jar on Twitter
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The post How to delete a tweet on Twitter appeared first on KnowTechie.

Whether you’re planning a surprise birthday party or telling your friend a secret, there are times when you don’t want your social media messages to stay permanent. Enter Vanish Mode on Instagram.

Snapchat is famed for its self-erasing messages. And at the end of 2020, Instagram followed suit by announcing a similar feature called Vanish Mode. 

If you’re an Instagram user and are conscious about your privacy, it’s definitely worth looking into Vanish Mode.

But what does this function do exactly, and how do you set it up? Read on to find out.

What is Vanish Mode?

Short answer: A mode for making messages disappear on their own 

By activating Vanish Mode on Instagram, you can send messages only visible to the other user for a short time. 

Once someone has read an Instagram message sent via Vanish Mode, it’ll disappear and can’t be viewed again.

So, if you’re discussing a sensitive topic, you don’t have to worry about other people finding out.

And the beauty is that you don’t have to delete messages physically. They literally vanish on their own. 

READ MORE: Who’s the most followed person on Instagram?

You do, however, need to activate Vanish Mode for this to happen. But it’s straightforward, and we’ll give you a quick rundown.

How do you turn on Vanish Mode?

Short answer: Go into your direct messages, click on a message, and swipe up from the bottom of the screen. 

When activating Vanish Mode, the first step is to go into your Instagram messages. To do that, press the chat symbol in the right-hand corner of the Instagram app.

Once you’re in your Instagram inbox, either tap on an ongoing conversation or create a new one.

Either way, you’ll need to be in a message thread to be able to set up and use Vanish Mode.

As soon as you’ve returned to an existing message or created a new chat, go to the bottom of the thread, swipe up, and let go.

This will trigger Vanish Mode. You’ll know that this has worked when your chat darkens and several “Shush” emojis appear on the screen.

The other user will also know that you’re trying to use Vanish Mode, and they’ll have the option to accept or reject.

If they decide to accept, you can both enjoy a super private chat on Instagram.

How do you turn off Vanish Mode on Instagram?

Short answer: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and release 

There might be a specific reason you wanted to use Vanish Mode. And perhaps you’ll want to deactivate it after sending a self-destructing message.

Luckily, turning off Vanish Mode is quick and easy. Simply return to the bottom of the chat and, once again, swipe up.

READ MORE: Can you see who views your Instagram Stories?

You’ll then see a message stating, “Release to turn off Vanish Mode.” Just follow this instruction, and Vanish Mode will then deactivate.

Why use Vanish Mode?

Instagram’s Vanish Mode is a useful feature for anyone concerned about others spying on their messages.

It puts you in control of your messages and essentially adds an extra layer of privacy to Instagram chats.

What makes Vanish Mode great is that you can turn it on and off anytime. So, you can make your messages disappear or stay for all eternity whenever you want. 

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• How to post on Instagram from a desktop
• How to turn on Instagram captions
• Here’s how to add pronouns to your Instagram profile
• How to block words, phrases, and emojis on Instagram

The post What is Vanish Mode on Instagram? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Revealed in a blog post, the Meta-owned platform states the new option is a “comprehensive destination people can rely on to report and resolve account access issues.”

These issues include forgotten passwords, two-factor issues, and hacked accounts. The service is available to all users at instagram.com/hacked. Access is available on both desktop and mobile.

User support has never been a strong suit of Facebook or Instagram. Account issues have always seemed to be a backburner issue.

This should help change that, but we’ll have to wait and see how well it works in practice.

Essentially, the new support page will provide several prompts for users to fill out. Depending on the issue, Instagram will provide multiple ways to confirm your identity.

One of the most interesting of these is getting your friends involved. Initially tested earlier this year, users can prove their identity by getting two Instagram friends to vouch for them.

This is just one of the many changes Instagram has been implementing recently. The company just unleashed Notes on the world.

There are also plans for more verified accounts and impersonation warnings when receiving follow requests.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• TikTok is now testing a full-screen horizontal mode
• Meta reportedly wants to be the new Twitter
• Twitter shutting down Substack-like Revue platform
• Snapchat now has its own ‘dual-camera’ feature similar to BeReal

The post Instagram finally adds better way to get back lost accounts appeared first on KnowTechie.

According to the company, users will no longer have access as of January 18, 2023. The service will shut down, and all data will be deleted on the same day.

Twitter bought the Substack-like newsletter platform in early 2021. It was a way to bring more long-form content to the microblogging site.

The whole point was to allow journalists, writers, and other users to create paid newsletters without having to leave Twitter. It might have worked, except for the meteoric rise of Substack, a rival newsletter service.

Twitter is going through a simplification process under new CEO Elon Musk, and Revue is one of the features getting the axe.

How to save your Revue data before Twitter shuts it down

Revue will start compiling your data after you make the export request. Once finalized, you’ll get an email with a link to your export.

This link will include your subscriber list, “newsletter issue stats,” and the content and “metadata of your newsletter issues.”

It’s also worth knowing one other date. On December 20, Revue “will set all paid subscriptions to cancel at the end of their billing cycle.”

It’s sad to see Revue disappear like this. Twitter owned the subscription newsletter service for less than two years.

Was this a planned action, or is the company trying to fix an unintended consequence of the extensive layoffs at Twitter?

We may never know, but we’ll pour one out for Revue and all they were trying to accomplish.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Meta brings Twitter-like Notes feature to Instagram
• Elon Musk says Twitter is phasing out legacy verified checkmarks
• TikTok is now testing a full-screen horizontal mode
• Quitting Twitter? Try any of these 6 alternatives

The post Twitter shutting down Substack-like Revue platform appeared first on KnowTechie.

The company shared a few ways that it’s looking to expand Instagram in a blog post earlier this week. The most notable feature is one that’s rolling out now called Notes.

Notes are a brand new, text-only feature on Instagram. They allow users to create short, 60-character notes they can share in Direct Messages with a selected group of friends.

To create a Note on Instagram, you start by heading to the top of your inbox. To type out a Note, you can select your mutual followers and other users in your “Close Friends” list.

When you type out your Note, using only text or emojis with 60 characters or less, it appears at the top of your friends’ and followers’ DM inboxes.

They will then have 24 hours to reply to your note, and any replies will come to you as a DM. This adds a new way to start conversations on the platform without sharing a picture or Reel.

While not exactly like Twitter, Instagram Notes are text-only and align much closer with what goes on at Twitter.

Plus, Meta is considering making its own platform around Notes to take advantage of the current chaos at the Elon Musk-run Twitter.

Meta is also testing several more Instagram features, including Candid Stories. This feature is similar to BeReal, in that it prompts users to share candid photos when prompted by the app.

And a new Group Profiles feature is coming soon, giving users a common place to share posts and stories with their close friends.

Notes are rolling out on Instagram now, so update your app to check out the new text-based feature. If you don’t see it right away, hold tight, as these things typically roll out in waves.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• How to tell if someone muted you on Instagram
• TikTok is now testing a full-screen horizontal mode
• Elon Musk says Twitter is phasing out legacy verified checkmarks
• This secret Facebook tool removes your phone number and email

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Twitter is hurting for money under its new management. The ongoing staff reductions and moderation tool rollbacks have made advertisers run for the hills.

Now, the company is working on forcing users to opt-in to share personal and location data with advertisers (via Platformer). Users can only opt out by paying the monthly fee for Twitter Blue.

Once live, the app will ask users for permission to access location data and phone numbers.

Twitter recently paid the FTC a $150 million fine for misusing phone numbers used for two-factor authentication.

That fine was for giving 2FA phone numbers to advertisers for targeted advertising purposes. You know, the same thing this report says Twitter is planning to do again.

We can’t imagine the FTC is happy about this news. It will set the company and CEO Elon Musk up for another legal battle.

Twitter is cruising for some lawsuits

Other authorities worldwide will have issues with the plans, as well. The European Union has laws stating that users can withdraw from data-sharing anytime.

It also seems to be against the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

That statute says Californian residents can opt out at any time. It also says they can’t be discriminated against for exercising their rights.

Blocking access to Twitter without opting into advertising data sharing likely violates both points.

If opting out of data sharing becomes a feature of Twitter Blue, Apple will take issue. App Store rules state apps can’t force users to share data or pay up.

Apple’s new privacy rules also mean apps can’t track users across different apps if they opt out. We’ll have to wait and see if the company goes through with this plan.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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The post Twitter reportedly looking into forced location tracking appeared first on KnowTechie.

The feature, first noticed by TechCrunch, seems limited to a small number of accounts. TikTok has since confirmed the feature is being tested.

According to reports, users will see a “Full screen” button below videos that can use the feature.

But why a horizontal mode? If you don’t spend much time on TikTok, adding this mode might seem out of place. However, as the platform continues to grow and transform, people are finding new ways to use it.

For instance, gamers love TikTok, and they upload countless gameplay videos. Most of these are rather small because of the screen ratio, so a horizontal mode lets viewers see all the action.

This is only one example of how this mode can be used. But, regardless of the video, it goes along with TikTok’s recent direction.

The platform continues to push in on YouTube’s presence and with the recent addition of 10-minute videos, having a better viewing experience across all types of videos makes sense.

There’s no word yet on a larger rollout of the feature, but we’ll continue to monitor this space. We’ve reached out to TikTok for comment.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post TikTok is now testing a full-screen horizontal mode appeared first on KnowTechie.

Instagram has joined the list of other social platforms that give users the tools to display their gender identities on their profiles.

Users can pick from a list of pronouns to be displayed on their profile next to their name. In total, a person can include four different pronouns.

Facebook also allows users to display their pronouns, but users are limited to he/his, she/hers, and they/theirs.

Instagram has taken a further step forward, allowing users to choose from a much larger list. Additional choices include ze, ve, as well as others.

How to add pronouns to your Instagram account

In that same section, you can choose whether you want your pronouns available to the public or only available to followers.

Instagram pronouns list

While the company continues to add new pronoun choices, here is a list of what is currently available through our research.

We’ll continue to monitor this and update the post accordingly.

What to do if you don’t have the option

If you don’t see the option for pronouns on Instagram, make sure your app is updated to the latest version.

Typically, however, this shouldn’t be an issue, as the feature has been available for over a year at this point.

Update your pronouns on Instagram in a snap

So there you go. That’s everything you need to know about adding pronouns to your Instagram account.

Remember, you can choose up to four pronouns for your profile, and Instagram seems to be adding new ones occasionally.

If you don’t see your preferred pronouns at this time, make sure to continue checking for updates. You can also submit new pronoun requests directly to Instagram.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post How to add pronouns on Instagram appeared first on KnowTechie.

Twitter recently relaunched its Twitter Blue subscription service and introduced a new “verified” checkmark system.

Now, the company is setting its sights on the old “legacy” checkmarks, which has raised some questions.

If you own a legacy verified account or stumbled across one, you may have noticed something different when clicking it.

A notice appears that says, “This is a legacy verified account. It may or may not be notable,” or “the account was previously verified under the legacy verification criteria.”

This is interesting because even Twitter CEO Elon Musk has a legacy verified account, meaning he may or may not be notable.

Twitter is coming for your verified status

So, why is Twitter suddenly turning its focus on legacy accounts? Some speculate that the company may be planning to phase out the legacy verified accounts in favor of the new verified checkmark.

Others have suggested that Twitter may offer an upgrade option for legacy verified users to switch to the new verified checkmark.

Well, let’s hear it straight from the source. In a recent tweet, CEO Elon Musk clarified that all legacy verified checkmarks will be removed in the coming months.

“In a few months, we will remove all legacy blue checks. The way in which they were given out was corrupt and nonsensical.”

In a few months, we will remove all legacy blue checks. The way in which they were given out was corrupt and nonsensical.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 12, 2022

So there you go, Musk confirms that old-school checkmarks are going bye-bye within the next few months.

Verified folks, I’m sorry, but Twitter is coming for your verified status, and there’s nothing you can do about it.

Whether you’re a verified celeb, a VIP Twitter user, or just a random Joe with a blue checkmark, it’s time to start saying your goodbyes.

I, on the other hand, am not verified. Therefore, I am not notable and basically invisible. But I don’t have to worry about Twitter taking away my legacy checkmark. Silver linings, amirite?

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post Elon Musk says Twitter is phasing out legacy verified checkmarks appeared first on KnowTechie.

Kelly Huang at The New York Times got the scoop last Wednesday that Meta employees have been discussing building a Twitter replacement.

With Twitter under new management and many people reconsidering their time on the platform, it seems like the perfect time for Meta to step in. It makes sense. The company is known for “repurposing” other platforms’ ideas.

Multiple ideas were floated, from standalone apps to adding feeds to existing ones:

Those ideas included rolling out Instagram’s new “Notes” feature to add a text feed to Instagram. The company is also reportedly considering using Instagram’s tech to create a text-first app like Twitter.

Notice how none of the ideas include touching Facebook?

That’s odd, but so is trying to cram text feeds into Instagram. Instagram has long been photo-first, with a recent push into video.

What would be a better idea would be borrowing Facebook’s Friend Graph and building a new app around that. It’s no secret that many Facebook users would delete their accounts if it weren’t for their friends and family.

That’s the draw of Facebook, the thing that made it successful to begin with. The ability to have an instant community when you join.

Imagine that instant feeling of belonging and connection when you open a new account on a new, text-first social site. Powerful stuff.

That’s the killer app. None of the pretenders to Twitter’s throne will succeed because it’s hard to build a following.

Meta could succeed because it already has the ultimate connection algorithm. It knows you, your neighbors, your friends, your family, and (almost) everything they do.

There’s no need to shoehorn it into yet another feed on Instagram. Save that space.

Meta, you’ve got a wealth of talented engineers that deserve the chance to make a new app. Don’t squander the opportunity.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post Meta reportedly wants to be the new Twitter appeared first on KnowTechie.

In addition, Twitter will soon also add a gray checkmark for government and multilateral accounts like the United Nations and the World Health Organization.  

According to Twitter, the new gold checkmark aims at “large and established” businesses verified by the platform. 

Here’s what Twitter’s new Gold checkmark looks like on business accounts

On the other hand, the gray checkmark identifies government and multilateral accounts, like national governments and public institutions.

So, where can you expect to see these new gold checkmarks?

Twitter says the new checkmarks will appear on the account’s profile pages and individual tweets from these accounts. 

If this all sounds familiar, it’s because it is. It’s basically the old badge system, but in Gold. 

Twitter says the change is gradually rolling out over the coming weeks, and eligible accounts will eventually get the new checkmarks.

Gold and gray checkmarks are part of Twitter’s ongoing efforts to improve the user experience and provide more information about the accounts on its platform. 

By clearly identifying verified business and government accounts, Twitter hopes to make it easier for users to find reliable sources and reduce the spread of misinformation.

Why Twitter ended up going with the color gold is beyond me, as there are definitely some issues with it.

Mainly, this color doesn’t really match the site’s aesthetic, and it feels a bit out of place and forced. But mainly, it’s this tweet that did it for me:

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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The post Twitter rolls out gold checkmarks for verified business accounts appeared first on KnowTechie.