Tweets from
accounts that users do not follow will now appear in their Twitter
timeline, in a move that has angered users worldwide.
The
new feature has been confirmed today on Twitter's support page after
users first reported the appearance of content from other accounts last
week, with many believing it was just an experiment.
Normally, a user's Twitter timeline is filled by posts from accounts the user follows, as well as retweets from those accounts.
But this has now changed, as the site's support page explained.
'Additionally,
when we identify a Tweet, an account to follow, or other content that's
popular or relevant, we may add it to your timeline,' a statement on
the official site said.
'This means you will sometimes see Tweets from accounts you don't follow.
'We
select each tweet using a variety of signals, including how popular it
is and how people in your network are interacting with it.
'Our goal is to make your home timeline even more relevant and interesting.'
The
new feature will also mean that tweets that are 'favourited' -
traditionally a way of saving a tweet without making them public - will
start to appear in other users' timelines who haven't favourited the
tweet..
But it has always been possible to view favourites by using the Discover section of the Twitter app or website.
The
change is seen by some as an attempt to increase user interest as the
site looks to close the gap on Facebook in user numbers.
As of March this year, Twitter had 241 million active users globally, with more than 15 million in the UK.
In comparison, rival social network Facebook has more than one billion users active each month.
The
move has proved unpopular with users so far, with many taking to the
site to voice their frustration at the new, unwanted content appearing
within their timeline.
One
user from Manchester tweeted to complain he was seeing content related
to his deceased stepfather now appearing on his profile.
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