Twitter has taken the initiative to ask its users to take screenshots of tweets to share a link to the tweet instead. The detection of the screenshots taken on the application is done by the microblogging service. This is actively prompting users to copy a link to the tweet or use the share menu to transmit the tweet to other users. This is one of the latest features made by Twitter to improvise engagement on the platform. The initiative is taken by the CEO of the company, Elon Musk, and is expected to take place later this month.
Jane Manchun Wong, security researcher and reverse engineering expert, shared a screenshot of the Twitter app on iOS. The screenshot displays the text “Share Tweet instead?” and two buttons: Copy link and Share Tweet.
Twitter made a confirmation regarding the new feature prompting users to share the tweet or copy a link to the tweet as part of a limited test in iOS. Wong also mentioned that the feature is part of the company’s attempt to increase engagement on the platform. It is notable that finding a tweet spotted on a screenshot requires active visiting the Twitter app or website and searching for a username or the tweet.
Last month, Twitter was also seen working on a tooltip that can be used by the users under a tweet. This asks the users to “Share this tweet with anyone, even if they aren’t on Twitter”. The factors that are nudged under the buttons are to make a reply, retweet, like and share under a tweet.
The company already allows users to share tweets directly to their Instagram stories, but people who visualize the story cannot click over the shared tweet to access it on the Twitter app.
The researchers once again in July spotted the feature to be in the testing phase. This permitted the users who do not have an account on Twitter to “Try Twitter ” to follow and read tweets on the mobile app. Users who try the app and want to tweet, retweet, like, or bookmark will still be required to sign up or log in for the service.