Twitter Tests Going From 140 To 280 Characters. People Are Freaking Out

Twitter just announced a test project allowing tweets to be expanded to 280 characters - that's double the existing limit of 140 characters. Predictably, people are freaking out because, let's face it, few take well to change. The move on Twitter's part is the latest in a series of efforts to boost flagging growth at the social network. Twitter says the new limit, a major shift for the messaging platform known for its 140-character tweets, aims to address "a major cause of frustration" for many users.

Twitter chief executive Jack Dorsey fired off what may be one of the first expanded tweets.

"This is a small change, but a big move for us," he tweeted. 
 

This is a small change, but a big move for us. 140 was an arbitrary choice based on the 160 character SMS limit. Proud of how thoughtful the team has been in solving a real problem people have when trying to tweet. And at the same time maintaining our brevity, speed, and essence! https://t.co/TuHj51MsTu

— jack (@jack) September 26, 2017

A "small group" of users will see the new limits before Twitter decides on rolling out the changes more broadly, the company said.

Few on Twitter welcomed this new change, however, with many even editing down Mr Dorsey's own tweet to under 140 characters: 
 

139 characters pic.twitter.com/WkfdXL8oLh

— Caitlin Kelly (@caitlin__kelly) September 26, 2017

 

pic.twitter.com/N4G8tgckQw

— Brian Barone (@brianrbarone) September 26, 2017

A move the Twitter boss was able to see humour in:
 

Yes this is clever https://t.co/W49VwRkLIX

— jack (@jack) September 27, 2017

And while some thought the move went against the whole point of Twitter, known for its concise messages, others wondered about the future of tweetstorms, Twitter threads and even trolling:
 

The 280-character limit is a terrible idea. The whole beauty of Twitter is that it forces you to express your ideas concisely (1/47)

— James Poniewozik (@poniewozik) September 26, 2017

 

Can't wait to get abused in 280 characters.

— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) September 27, 2017

 

literally my only talent was being able to think of tweets exactly 140 characters long. i don't know if I will be able to alter this to 280.

— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) September 26, 2017

 

Brevity's been the soul of Twitter, for me. The 140-character limit has been a masterclass in concision and economy

— William Gibson (@GreatDismal) September 26, 2017

 

280 characters? Boy, prepare for some quality mansplaining.

— Jeremy (@nz_voter) September 27, 2017

Twitter, which became a public company in 2013, has never reported a profit even though it has built a loyal base of celebrities, journalists and political figures, including prolific tweeter US President Donald Trump.

So, of course, people couldn't help but wonder what he would do with all those extra characters:
 

.@realDonaldTrump has been wrecking America 140 characters at a time. Imagine what he could do with 280 now.

— Vicente Fox Quesada (@VicenteFoxQue) September 27, 2017

 

Twitter users: He just threatened war! Do something!
Twitter: LOLZ here's 280 characters instead. Oh and it's "news", so no. #280characters

— Alex (@XandraTai) September 27, 2017

 

Trump once that 280 character limit hits his account pic.twitter.com/NRsrbRlQay

— Philip Lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) September 26, 2017

 

I gotta admit, I did not think the 280-character limit would have this effect on Trump pic.twitter.com/niw4PRA31l

— James Poniewozik (@poniewozik) September 27, 2017

 

Twitter,
Please don't give Trump the 280 character ability.
There is just so much we can stomach.
Thank you,
Signed Everyone

— NO! GOP! NO! (@NoGOPNo) September 27, 2017

There was some FOMO (fear of missing out)

Me watching people on the timeline tweet with 280 characters even though I don't even want 280 characters because I dont have that much to s pic.twitter.com/uJOglYcUyM

— Alexis Morgan (@alexiskmorgan) September 27, 2017

 

When you check your Twitter and still only have 140. #280characters pic.twitter.com/6D1heu90tM

— Looney Tunes (@WBLooneyTunes) September 26, 2017

 

I'm so excited to be part of @Twitter's #280characters rollout. Let me just say it's an honor and a privilege. I'd like to thank my wonderf

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) September 27, 2017

Twitter found humour in it all: 
 

Finally. 280 characters. @Twitter #CanYouNameThemAll ? pic.twitter.com/qysSsoGwvL

— 20th Century Fox (@20thcenturyfox) September 27, 2017

 

This is 280 characters exactly. COINCIDENCE???? pic.twitter.com/YkkDBgPhRw

— Ryan Nanni (@celebrityhottub) September 26, 2017

 

We have just learned that we have the ability to create 280-character tweets now. With great power comes great responsibility
Coming out of my cage
And I've been doing just fine
Gotta gotta be down
Because I want it all
It started out with a kiss
How did it end up like this
It w

— NorthbyNorthwestern (@nbn_tweets) September 27, 2017

 

Me reading my new TL filled with 280 character bad takes pic.twitter.com/K488yCSFyA

— bianca belair fan ac (@TeeHaitchGee) September 26, 2017

Are you on Twitter? Do you welcome the extra 140 characters? Let us know in the comments section below.

(With inputs from AFP)