Jack Dorsey and Dick Costolo, Dec. 8 2011
Twitter on Thursday debuted a dramatically different new user interface for all versions of the micro-blogging service: The company will be rolling out totally new versions of the desktop website, mobile website, native mobile apps, and Tweetdeck to its more than 100 million users over the next few weeks.
The new design gives Twitter users the ability to navigate the service through four basic methods: “Home,” “connect,” “discover,” and “activities.”
Complex capabilities, simpler navigation
Though during the launch event at Twitter’s San Francisco headquarters, CEO Dick Costolo and founder Jack Dorsey repeatedly said that the redesign was aimed at making the Twitter experience “simpler,” the new version of the site is in many ways richer and more complex than ever.
That’s not meant to sound like a negative thing: The new UI makes it much easier to find and access context and content around each Tweet, as well as find new Twitter accounts to follow that are relevant to you. The search capabilities are now navigable even for people who don’t know what a “hashtag” is. In essence, the new version of Twitter is stickier than ever, and accessible to a wider group of people — both qualities that the company has long been looking to enhance.
The Discover tab on Twitter (click to enlarge)
Twitter as news source
The redesign also positions Twitter as an accessible source for news in a way that it hasn’t done before. The site’s new “discover” tab may be the most important element of the redesign as it presents the most relevant, newsy content on Twitter in a way that’s personalized to each user.
This could solve the problem that many people see with Twitter: They don’t use the site because they “don’t have anything to say.” Now, Twitter is positioning itself as a valuable service for everyone, whether they actively contribute content to the site or not.
“I think we’ll see a growing number of users who come to Twitter every day and don’t Tweet,” CEO Dick Costolo said to a group of reporters after the official launch event finished.
Better for brands — and revenue
Brands can have a elevated place in the new Twitter design, which makes sense given the company’s necessary push for revenue: At six years old, Twitter now has 700 employees and has taken on more than $1 billion in venture capital. The redesign gives brands, celebrities and businesses “enhanced” profile pages. At launch, only a select group has access to these pages — American Express and The Red Cross are among them — but eventually they will be available to any business. Enhanced brand pages are free, but ostensibly they will make companies see how many of their customers are using Twitter and could entice them to buy ads on the site.
In all, it’s a very smart move for Twitter. For months, I’ve heard people grumble with frustration about Twitter’s user experience basically staying the same for so long. “They have scores of great engineers, heaps of money, millions of users. What in the world are they doing over there?” Now we have the answer, and in general it’s looking pretty good.
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/dTUZgqu3 @amarchugg #news
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands: Jack Dorsey and Dick Costolo, Dec. 8 20… http://t.co/JBWkZRb1
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/Vaz506Le
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/6hNcSQ48 @amarchugg #news
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands: Jack Dorsey and Dick Costolo, Dec. 8 20… http://t.co/ZVIgX67v
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands: Jack Dorsey and Dick Costolo, Dec. 8 20… http://t.co/CmpZMKUQ
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands: Jack Dorsey and Dick Costolo, Dec. 8 20… http://t.co/0juj5ddh
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands: Jack Dorsey and Dick Costolo, Dec. 8 20… http://t.co/5jLSDTLz
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands: Jack Dorsey and Dick Costolo, Dec. 8 20… http://t.co/5vlt8FsT
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands: Jack Dorsey and Dick Costolo, Dec. 8 20… http://t.co/fZSc18E4
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands: Jack Dorsey and Dick Costolo, Dec. 8 20… http://t.co/f5e8CS1q
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands: Jack Dorsey and Dick Costolo, Dec. 8 20… http://t.co/dD8OgmV9
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/facI9rjU
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/PsE4Ph7X
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/ZOvKKRIl
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/vcQb43ug
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/V6eFNmoM
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/MuUDrknQ
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/wLsB8inp
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/32M5lzOT
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/tEauk2r6
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/2ivwWo0b
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/yAbjFiqe
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/ZOvKKRIl
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/ZOvKKRIl
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/ZOvKKRIl
“@gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/5d8btT0g” a LOT friendlier to the mainstream
“@gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/MYsx0Ice”
Some news about the new #Twitter http://t.co/ETWCVj3B @gigaom
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/ENeXwd2S #business #midlandsconsultingcentre #
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/RJquQzRR via @gigaom
RT @gigaom: #Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/W7DHdWir #highered #in #nptech
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/gpB15Xjt
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/ZW2s2FqZ >> Twitter is targeting those who don’t tweet
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/YeG0HpRh via @gigaom
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/wRYd3lEx
The new redesign looks really nice, and I’m very excited to try it. Twitter, now that it has grown so much and established itself as a social media leader, has so much potential for growth. I’m excited to see that Twitter is finally pushing the boundaries of its services, and for businesses as well.
#Twitter gets a revamp RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/643tzSSc
gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/fqA03n64
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/yVM4b3of
Don’t know how I feel about the new twitter design. I get the idea, but like the old version more http://t.co/UBwpTRz6
Twitter redesign will come soon! http://t.co/qogZGtCV
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/ZOvKKRIl
[GigaOM] Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands: Jack Dorsey and Dick Costolo, … http://t.co/F74zu8g3
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/65Rplt3h
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands: Jack Dorsey and Dick Costolo, Dec. 8 20… http://t.co/JJLB30Gi
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/hPwzDZf0
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/Gtz0EUcs #technology
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/sTweKXSP Via @gigaom
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/czMmetnq
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/ZOvKKRIl
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/ZOvKKRIl
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands | http://t.co/WFacJA6h
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/J44XAydU via Colleen Taylor
Just saw nugget in @gigom story that new Twitter includes enhanced business profiles — looking for more info on this http://t.co/fBpOAMpV
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/QkRjKRcA
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands: Twitter on Thursday debuted a dramatic … http://t.co/YpcWHYWb
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/9nYHQFKH
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/9nYHQFKH
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/ZOvKKRIl
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/ZOvKKRIl
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/P64f5eKn
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/P64f5eKn
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/0ECxQie9
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/0ECxQie9
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/5OOksNQY
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/pmjxA2B7
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/NTcNQ8tU
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/csVjJujT
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands: Though during the launch event at Twitt… http://t.co/ZcqogMGO
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/Iv7xigUn
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/cOjYeKnb
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/ZJrcoq6L
What #newnewtwitter means: “Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands” http://t.co/6lN4DHId
News: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/ph7euHqQ
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/11pfFZY4
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/cAsgAXeF
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/cAsgAXeF
Gigaom heaps praise on the Twitter redesign, saying it finally gives people who don`t tweet a reason to use the service http://t.co/XPQMmLkH
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/tHi2oLkW
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands: Though during the launch event at Twitt… http://t.co/DhPd01dE
Looks positive | Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/x5fTmR2q
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/cAsgAXeF
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/cAsgAXeF
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands: In all, it’s a very smart move for Twit… http://t.co/oxe86dUA
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/cAsgAXeF
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands via Mobile Blogging – 8, 2011, … http://t.co/9n3qeiyX
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands via Mobile Blogging – 8, 2011, … http://t.co/A6eF3U93
gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/ubA6Kypi
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/zYzFnVeP
Twitter’s big redesign http://t.co/9TLPPKBc
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/cAsgAXeF
Its about time! RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/pcjiVjBx
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/cAsgAXeF
http://t.co/QYAVxNfb Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands – GigaOm
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/5WDo6qOR cc @likesorrywithag @far5hid @king_solomonj
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/qU8OkR23
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/cAsgAXeF
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/uxgoarAK
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands: 8, 2011, 11:05am PT No Comments Twitter… http://t.co/U9q3fUJ8
Great move by Twitter. Following the web application style websites, need more websites to do this.
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/cAsgAXeF
Anyone one had a go yet? “@gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/NOGmND9O”
Anyone one had a go yet? “@gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/NOGmND9O”
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/cAsgAXeF
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/cAsgAXeF
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/hmLdzwir
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/uZi57uAZ
Twitter's big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/f5KIwtDO
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/QeFWWv0r
As a user this make me nervous RT @WeejeeMedia: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/CifzSREx
RT @WeejeeMedia: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/hmLdzwir
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/cAsgAXeF
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/AyHHE4gA
RT @mattpearson: new design for twitter & conceptualisation of user experience http://t.co/FJqdPXeU that’ll give us something to moan about for a few weeks
RT @weejeemedia: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/R4nUxaOC
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/tWRG8ORD rt @ gigaom
http://t.co/QCKy3Li2 New Twitter design and uses #veryexcite
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands … http://t.co/hBNGdLWO
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/4cMu9Eid
RT @jaycbee: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/4cMu9Eid
RT @WeejeeMedia: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/hmLdzwir
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/Wc6s7FsN via @jaycbee
RT @WeejeeMedia: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/hmLdzwir
@johannesedmark @asasecher TweetDeck är helt omgjort. Likaså smartphone-apparna. http://t.co/szxQuhPT ändras snart. http://t.co/9Jdf3SQc
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/cAsgAXeF
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/FREdcorx
RT @WeejeeMedia: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/hmLdzwir
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/G53SlOwU via @jaycbee
Big changes coming on Twitter http://t.co/k6marzwc Big changes. I don’t know how I feel about this!
RT Big changes coming on Twitter http://t.co/cLqcJljc Big changes. I just showed @sammah9 how to use the old one. Don’t make it harder!!!!
RT @rachbarnhart: Big changes coming on Twitter http://t.co/lHjhR4bD Big changes. I don’t know how I feel about this!
#Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands. http://t.co/3GjH7Bix
RT @rachbarnhart: Big changes coming on Twitter http://t.co/k6marzwc Big changes. I don’t know how I feel about this!
#Yikes. Me too. “@rachbarnhart: Big changes coming on Twitter http://t.co/k8nHEwkA Big changes. I don’t know how I feel about this!”
RT @WeejeeMedia: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/vThQgnUl
.#Twitter debuts big redesign. http://t.co/CVr6weWi Similar to #Facebook #Timeline, the redesign will benefit brands.
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/W3Z53heq
Sounds like Twitter’s new design focuses as much on those who just read as those who Tweet. Smart. http://t.co/FNbq4EDv
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands – GigaOm http://t.co/WX509TRB
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/A6tSDY1D
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands — Tech News and Analysis http://t.co/ViOOYX9D
RT @rachbarnhart: Big changes coming on Twitter http://t.co/k6marzwc Big changes. I don’t know how I feel about this!
RT @rachbarnhart: Big changes coming on Twitter http://t.co/k6marzwc Big changes. I don’t know how I feel about this!
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/ZOvKKRIl
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands – http://t.co/QbcymYdo
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/95LWxDxT
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/WR528eTP
RT @jaycbee: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/yMbijeGX
Love the abiity to embed tweets lRT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/VL7mdzrf
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/UxIR64MC twitter for the masses
RT @Paul_Brinkman: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/WR528eTP
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/cAsgAXeF
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/cAsgAXeF
Twitter’s big redesign: http://t.co/EhLRqJem. Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands #in
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands — Tech News and Analysis http://t.co/FDU7FQlV
Esperemos que sea mejor para todos – Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/Jr1FtDzP
It’s a horror. They’ve scaled it back. RT @noblejas: Twitter’s redesign http://t.co/WB8Ijjp3
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream http://t.co/Rv3w7OQK in @gigaom Launches Brand Pages http://t.co/7ZtD5U25 in @adage
RT @gigaom: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/Av10KUTI, great move..!
More about Twitter’s redesign: http://t.co/0g4dYY3M
Twitter redesign helps as a news source http://t.co/WL4yXzXA #277
All about Twitter’s redesign: http://t.co/nOcFPlow
RT @PeerIndex: All about Twitter’s redesign: http://t.co/nOcFPlow
RT @PeerIndex: All about Twitter’s redesign: http://t.co/nOcFPlow
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/yZvyreeG
When a CEO says they’re designing the UI to be “simpler” it means “you won’t like it unless you’re dumb” http://t.co/EZfwuNB5 #NewTwitter
RT @weejeemedia: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/5Ifv9wBN #virtualismg
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/Mvl8WpX2
RT @Paul_Brinkman: Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/WR528eTP
#Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/BULmYwDL via @gigaom
RT @MatthewLiberty: #Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/BULmYwDL via @gigaom
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/vdRrpIxC
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/z6ibdxma
Twitter’s big redesign: http://t.co/vlezvLov. Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands #in
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/qDf6H4bz
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/qDf6H4bz
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/VU87l6Qm
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/ILnDl5Tg
Can’t wait to get the new twitter website
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/hwOqdx7j
Explaining the Twitter redesign … http://t.co/kpddzVlt
Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands
http://t.co/fGyV76xy
Agree or disagree ? Twitter’s big redesign: Friendlier to the mainstream, better for brands http://t.co/pPPYORGv
I’m glad they got rid of that silly activity button. The new design is great and I’ve definitely gotten used to it.
What’s Missing from the New Twitter: http://bit.ly/tAFdii
The new design suck so much! It`s the worst of all twitter ever had. The previous one was so cool! The page was in two parts and everything was findable. not anymore ;//