Twitter announced today it\u2019s introducing a new layout for replies that will use lines and indentations to make it easier to understand who you\u2019re replying to and how the conversation is flowing. The company will also test putting engagement actions \u2014 including likes, Retweet and reply icons \u2014 behind an extra tap to make replies to conversations easier to follow.<\/p>\n
These features have been in testing for just over a year in Twitter\u2019s prototype app, twttr,<\/a> affectionately dubbed \u201clittle T\u201d internally at the company.<\/p>\n The app was introduced<\/a> at the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2019, as a way for Twitter to try out new ideas in space outside its public network. Twitter wanted to understand if an updated user interface would help people to better follow the conversations taking place on its platform \u2014 particularly those longer threads where the original poster also participates in the back-and-forth, and users end up replying to the wrong comment.<\/p>\n In its prototype app twttr, Twitter tried out a variety of styles, including, at one time, a design where the individual responses were more rounded \u2014 similar to chat bubbles.<\/p>\n The design that\u2019s stuck around the longest, however, is the one that\u2019s now making its public debut on Twitter.com and Twitter\u2019s iOS app.<\/p>\n Your conversations are the \ud83d\udc99 of Twitter, so we\u2019re testing ways to make them easier to read and follow.<\/p>\n Some of you on iOS and web will see a new layout for replies with lines and indentations that make it clearer who is talking to whom and to fit more of the convo in one view. pic.twitter.com\/sB2y09fG9t<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) May 5, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n It involves branching lines that connect the different parts of the conversation threads together. The lines are more subtle than the chat bubbles had been, appearing as a lighter gray when Twitter\u2019s default white theme is applied. Extra replies are also hidden beneath the \u201cShow replies\u201d label, which you have to tap to continue to read through a given thread.<\/p>\n The overall experience is something that\u2019s more akin to a discussion board site, like Reddit.<\/p>\n In addition to the branching lines, the idea to hide Twitter\u2019s engagement buttons was also something originally tested in twttr.<\/p>\n We\u2019re also experimenting with placing like, Retweet, and reply icons behind a tap for replies. We\u2019re trying this with a small group on iOS and web to see how it affects following and engaging with a convo. <\/p>\n We’ll keep you updated as the conversation experience evolves!<\/p>\n \u2014 Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) May 5, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n
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