Will Twitter's new product without 140-character limit be another Facebook?

Earlier today, **rumours** flooded the internet that micro-blogging website Twitter might ditch the signature 140-character limit and opt for a new product that will allow users to share tweets which are much, much longer. This move comes at a time when Twitter is working hard to rekindle its user growth. However, several users have expressed discontent over this issue and wonder, how different would this platform be if it ditches it’s major USP - the famed 140-character limit. If this move does fall in place, it would make it no different than Facebook, a place where users are allowed to publish posts with over 60,000 characters in one status update. In the past, Twitter had already lifted the character limit altogether for **direct messaging** which most people took with a pinch of salt. Could following a similar pattern for tweets (whether in a new product or otherwise) be a bad move or a good one? Let’s weigh the different outcomes. For starters, Twitterati already went crazy about the news. They voiced out their opinion and it was definitely not in favor of ending the character limit. A few compared it to Facebook and the rest, called it a Facebook-clone. https://twitter.com/BobOngQuotes/status/649168066966765568 https://twitter.com/kidfromthehill/status/648977824716615681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter.com/Joe_Meeker/status/648976910467342336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter.com/dibang/status/649092628105990144 https://twitter.com/nycjim/status/648960776087162880 https://twitter.com/Shakti_Shetty/status/648913192232464384 https://twitter.com/cityrider49/status/648977432003776512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter.com/jak3saysthings/status/648977617648021504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw When people really got agitated, they went on to say… https://twitter.com/stuheritage/status/649114806453174272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter.com/shanebandgo/status/649139570936688640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw According to reports, Twitter is desperate to find new ways to attract users to the product. Tweaking the character limit might not be the only way to go. It might encourage publishers to share more stuff online, but for that purpose, most people prefer Facebook. People might adjust to witnessing a 500-word post on Facebook, but most certainly not on Twitter. The entire X-factor of Twitter is its 140-character limit which forces people to present their ideas in limited words. If the company takes away what it has actually gained popularity on, it might simply start to fall apart. All in all, it will eliminate the difference between itself and its rival Facebook. But there are some selected lot of people who are looking at this move in a positive light. It is to be believed that this move by Twitter will in fact, open up the floodgates for customer service. Retailers, e-commerce support, airlines and others will now be able to have in-depth conversations with clients filling in queries and concerns regarding a certain product. According to a report, Peter Friedman, CEO of LiveWorld, which handles social media for Walmart, American Express and Procter & Gamble said, “Across the business landscape, brands are increasingly focusing on the full customer experience. Whether that be for customer service or loyalty marketing, this demands a conversation that can go deeper.” This move does seem promising for companies who want to offer better customer service on Twitter. They can have better conversations and can provide feedback as well. Instead of breaking down a message into 4 tweets, this change works out well for the social media executives as well as customer care representatives on Twitter. Social media is the fastest way to spread the word today and implementing one such way by Twitter can help brands spread their message faster to their followers. Connecting with an audience begins more easy and convenient. But is it worth changing the company’s main USP for it? Only time will tell. In the meantime let us know what you think in the comments section below.