SA Twitter users react to the new 280-character limit

Twitter is doubling up their character limit, and the social network’s users have mixed feelings.

In an official blogpost posted this morning Twitter staff elaborated on this move:

“We want every person around the world to easily express themselves on Twitter, so we’re doing something new: we’re going to try out a longer limit, 280 characters, in languages impacted by cramming [which is all except Japanese, Chinese and Korean].”

Can’t fit your Tweet into 140 characters? 🤔

We’re trying something new with a small group, and increasing the character limit to 280! Excited about the possibilities? Read our blog to find out how it all adds up. 👇https://t.co/C6hjsB9nbL

— Twitter (@Twitter) September 26, 2017

Locally, the change has sparked mixed reactions.

https://twitter.com/janine_j/status/912789660996423682

You're so personal 😂 https://t.co/VDHFvfPczH

— Gugulethu Mhlungu (@GugsM) September 27, 2017

twitter HQ: *tries to be innovative and stay current*
twitter users: *loud hissing and booing*

— lindy (@Lindyyay) September 27, 2017

Realizing that Helen Zille's tweets will now contain #280characters pic.twitter.com/oNmXGXzadl

— Ryan Cummings (@Pol_Sec_Analyst) September 27, 2017

Ummmm
Nah#280characters pic.twitter.com/2PTFHmWpX6

— Ithemba_LamaKhesa®™ (@LwandoNtentesa) September 27, 2017

@Twitter who asked you for #280characters? Do you have any idea how much verbosity we're already dealing with? pic.twitter.com/KaJe0My7LC

— Perfect Hlongwane (@_wordperfect) September 27, 2017

https://twitter.com/Nick_Frost/status/912923256142942208

Tweeps around the world aren’t too happy about it either:

*Twitter is introducing #280characters limits*

Me:

N
　 O
　　　 O
　　　　 o
　　　　　o
　　　　　 o
　　　　　o
　　　　 。
　　　 。
　　　.

😭

— ₐᄂᵢ (█████) (@ajaharoczz) September 27, 2017

Dear Twitter, be careful what you wish for. #140Characters #280Characters pic.twitter.com/Tab6BEPn9I

— James Melville (@JamesMelville) September 27, 2017

us: please do something about the nazis and openly racist people on the platform.

twitter: https://t.co/57eZdxLKk6

— #FreeMumia (@HalfAtlanta) September 26, 2017

https://twitter.com/miskeencore/status/912789132560273409

However, Twitter cofounder and CEO Jack Dorsey isn’t bothered by the critique.

We expected (and ❤️!) all the snark & critique for #280characters. Comes with the job. What matters now is we clearly show why this change is important, and prove to you all it’s better. Give us some time to learn and confirm (or challenge!) our ideas. https://t.co/qJrzzIluMw

— jack (@jack) September 27, 2017

The new direction is currently being tested with a select few tweeps, but the official date this feature will be phased in has not officially been announced.