Module 4
How to use Twitter: Beyond the Basics
Customize
Twitter now allows you to customize your view! On the desktop version, select the Display option in the More menu. These settings are for desktop only. On the mobile app you cannot yet change the color from blue, but you can switch to night mode with a dark screen and light text. On Android the icon is a moon at the bottom left of the screen, and on iOS it's a light bulb. If you accidentally click the icon and turn your screen dark, just click it again to return to normal:
Adjust your Settings
It's a good idea to go through your settings and change any defaults in each section that need adjusting, and also to get familiar with the options that you have.
Suggested safety settings for children will be addressed in the next module.
Find tweets using Explore, Trending & Hashtags
This works a little differently on desktop and mobile. On desktop, you can click # Explore from the left menu and see what is trending and see Twitter's recommendations for you.
The mobile version does not have an Explore link but if you click the magnifying glass "search" icon at the bottom, you get similar results.
To search for a specific hashtag, type it in the Search Twitter box at the top.
Remember that hashtags in tweets are links. If you click them, you will see a feed of tweets that all use that same hashtag.
Lists
Lists are an optional way to organize accounts whose tweets you want to follow. A list is a group of tweeters, and you don't have to follow an account to add it to a list.
For example, Michelle made a list of people in Mesa Public Schools that have Twitter accounts. Click here to see Michelle's list of MPS Tweeters. If you want to subscribe to this list, click the "i" in the top right corner, then Subscribe.
If you have made or subscribed to lists, they appear when you click the Lists link on the left menu. Click here for directions for making your own lists.
Promoted Accounts
When you see the word Promoted it means that this account paid to show up in the list.
Promoted Tweets (Ads)
If you see a tweet in your timeline that says Promoted then it's a paid ad. Just be aware before you interact with it. What can you do?
- Ignore it and move on
- Click the dropdown and choose:
- I don't like this ad if you want Twitter to stop showing you ads like this.
- Block
- Mute
- Follow
Help Center
The Twitter Help Center is a useful resource. On the mobile app, click your profile picture and there is a link on the left menu. On the desktop browser, click More and then Help Center.
Image credits:
Header image: Twitter-birds-social-media-leader-crowd All other images created by Michelle Lantz