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The two things Twitter users want instead of new timelines

Brett Molina
USA TODAY

If you avoided Twitter on Saturday, then you likely missed the uproar from users following a report the company may roll out big changes to how it organizes your tweets.

Twitter's logo displayed on a computer screen.

According to a report from Buzzfeed, Twitter is expected to introduce an algorithm next week reorganizing tweets based on updates it thinks users want to see most. It’s a huge departure from the reverse-chronological order of tweets  its users enjoy.

Clearly, users don’t like it, judging from the hashtag #RIPTwitter that surged in popularity. Instead, based on the bulk of responses on Twitter, these are the two things users want instead of new timelines:

1. Add an edit button.

How many users crafted what they thought was the perfect tweet only to find out it’s got a typo or other error? Guilty. The workaround is to reply to that tweet with a correction or delete the tweet and try again. Here’s an option that might work: an edit button. Tap edit to tweak your tweet and update. Twitter can even note the tweet is edited so others are aware. Kim Kardashian wants it. Frankly, everyone wants it. Even Facebook has an “edit post” button. Speaking of Facebook …

2. Stop copying Facebook.

As many users said, if they wanted an experience more like Facebook, then they'd go to Facebook. Twitter is great for following breaking news, or sharing GIFs, or learning fun facts like Kanye West thinks Wiz Khalifa wears cool pants. Looking to Facebook for social inspiration is understandable. They have hundreds of millions of users and pull in impressive advertising revenue, and Twitter wants more of both. But the more Twitter mimics Facebook, whether it’s an algorithm for timelines or swapping Favorites for Likes, the more users get the urge to leave.

What other features should Twitter add? Let us know in the comments.

Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.

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