Twitter (NYSE:TWTR) continues to add new features to attract users to its platform and drive engagement levels. Recently, the social media giant announced that it will allow users to hide replies to their tweets.
Prior to this development, users could only block or mute offensive replies on their tweets. The report option will only work for those accounts that violate Twitter’s policies.
This “moderation” feature marks the company’s effort to improve overall conversational health on its platform by helping users get rid of online trolls and abuse.
However, the hidden replies can be viewed by users on selecting the “View Hidden Tweets” option.
More on the Headlines
Twitter is following the footsteps of other social media giants including Alphabet’s (NASDAQ:GOOGL) YouTube and Reddit in developing this feature. Notably, the company is receiving appreciation as well as backlash for the same.
While the new feature benefits the user by giving them complete control over their tweet, it can also be misused by them to censor replies, which contradict their viewpoints. Moreover, politicians can hide replies on their tweet, which contain legitimate factchecks.
Even with the option to unhide the tweets, some of the users may not be willing to do so. Consequently, they will miss critical points in the conversation.
Twitter, Inc. Price and Consensus
Twitter, Inc. Price and Consensus | Twitter, Inc. Quote
Can the New Feature Boost Twitter’s User Base?
Twitter is witnessing a decline in its user base. In the last reported fourth quarter, average monthly active users (MAUs) totaled 321 million, down from 330 million in the year-ago quarter and 326 million in the previous quarter.
Notably, a dwindling user base can hurt advertising revenues, which accounted for 86% of total revenues in 2018. Thus, plethora of new features are expected to help Twitter in luring users that will eventually attract advertisers, thereby driving top-line growth.
The company is experimenting with a new design aimed at making the application more interactive for its users, which includes color-coded replies and Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) -like status update.
Additionally, Twitter is expected to launch a new beta program, where a select group of users will get access to features by way of a standalone app to use and talk about new features with others, per TechCrunch.
To boost user engagement, the company has also rolled out a feature through which users can see the most recent tweets first instead of the most popular.
Zacks Rank & Stock to Consider
Currently, Twitter carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
A better-ranked stock in the broader computer technology sector is Symantec Corporation (NASDAQ:SYMC) , currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
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