Twitter has begun rolling out an update to switch to a reverse-chronological feed and push users more explicitly to an algorithmically served timeline. The change, which is primarily live for iOS users and will soon be available on the web version of Android as well as the microblogging network, brings separate ‘Home’ and ‘Latest’ timelines. The home timeline will stack tweets based on an algorithm, with the latest feed sorting the tweets in your timeline in reverse-chronological order.
As a result UpdateiOS users are starting to see the unique 6 Home And Recent tweets Tabs in their Twitter app once they tap the three-star icon from the top-right corner. It allows users to switch from an algorithmically served Twitter feed to a reverse-chronological timeline with a swipe gesture.
However, one of the underlying changes that the latest update brings is the default availability of the Home tab, which always shows the algorithmic feed once you open the Twitter app. This can be annoying for many users who do not want an algorithmically served timeline.
Until now, users have been given the option to view algorithmic timelines or reverse-chronological feeds by tapping on a three-star icon. The choice will remain by default and will not go away even if you access the app after a while. The update, thus, forces people to use the algorithmic timeline on standard reverse-ordered feeds.
Twitter initially launched its algorithmically driven timeline in 2016. It has set up a deep learning system to serve tweets based on relevance to their chronology. The move, however, initially drew some criticism.
Twitter CEO Jack Dorcio responded to criticism by emphasizing the real-time experience the platform provides for users. “Twitter is real-time. Twitter is who and what you follow. And Twitter stays here! Become more Twitter-Y,” he said. Says On time
Twitter is another step towards creating a default algorithm for all its users, giving users the option to choose between a traditional reverse-chronological feed or an algorithmically served timeline, which it launched in December 2018.
Unlike Twitter, Instagram is coming up with a chronological feed option this year. The Instagram update, however, is the result of intense investigation and pressure created by the US Congress.
The latest update to Twitter started as an initial Experimental With selected users on iOS in October.