Twitterverse is going nuts over a report from BuzzFeed that Twitter is planning to introduce its algorithmic timeline as soon as next week.
In other words, your Twitter feed could soon look more like Facebook. According to BuzzFeed, the timeline will reorder tweets based on what the new algorithm thinks people most want to see, no longer presenting tweets in chronological order.
It is unclear whether Twitter will impose the new algorithmic feed on all users, or just offer it as an option. BuzzFeed reported that a small group of users has been testing a new algorithm-based timeline for some time, and that it may be rolled out more widely in the near future.
A spokesperson for Twitter declined to comment on Saturday.
But the report already sent users into a tizzy, with #RIPTwitter ironically trending on Twitter Saturday morning.
And the move, if implemented, would be the most radical departure for the company since co-founder Jack Dorsey returned as full-time CEO last October.
Here’s a roundup of the online response to the proposed changes:
https://twitter.com/TheMendesMoon/status/696026596134797312
https://twitter.com/AlexVuittonx/status/696025940934193152
https://twitter.com/MentalityMag/status/696024137651896320
https://twitter.com/KingVJackson/status/696033357306658816
https://twitter.com/VojoJeZver/status/696032794196254720
https://twitter.com/EcoShaymin/status/696032507666526208
WE decide what WE want to read
WE decide WHO WE follow
NOT YOU#RIPTwitter— Ruthyxx (@pop_ruth) February 6, 2016
Using an algorithm to dictate what users see will silence the many great voices yet to be discovered. #RIPTwitter pic.twitter.com/Qrw8BpWlXp
— Justin Tarte (@justintarte) February 6, 2016
I can't believe I never saw this before…. @twitter is actually @facebook – no wonder they copy feeds #RIPTwitter pic.twitter.com/f21ZdaEPOj
— Inactive (@TobiWanDOTA) February 6, 2016