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Twitter tests Promoted Tweets for users who aren't logged in
Twitter is looking to expand its advertising reach, and to do so, the company is testing Promoted Tweets for folks who aren't logged in. This means that if you're browsing a profile or viewing a tweet's details, you could see the social network's ads before you enter your log-in info. TechCrunch reports that Twitter is only testing the new practice, and for now it's only doing so on the web. Of course, this means that not only will the ads display for Twitter users who aren't signed in, but also for visitors who don't have an account at all.
Twitter search results get advertising via 'Promoted' users
There you are, leisurely perusing Twitter (as one does), when the stinking funk of marketing speak smacks your cerebellum like a Mack truck: "Want to grow your presence on Twitter? Reach more people with your Tweets using Promoted Accounts. Learn more today!" It has begun. Too serious? Perhaps, but today's news that Twitter's "Promoted Tweets" (read: adverts) are now also part of Twitter's search results is unfortunate at very least. For one, it takes the point of search and adds confusion -- why would Pizza Hut's new, hand-tossed pizza show up in results for, say, unrest in Ukraine? Here's hoping the algorithms are smart enough to avoid messy situations like that. It's long been the case that (contextual) ads show up in Google search results, but in the case of Twitter search we've come to expect an ad-free experience. As Twitter product manager Nipoon Malhotra says in the announcement, "One of the best ways for users to discover what's happening on Twitter is through search, giving users the ability to instantly connect to conversations and topics of interest." That the logic following such a statement goes directly to advertising is, again, unfortunate. We've yet to see any promoted tweets in our search results just yet, but please let us know what you're seeing (good and bad alike).
BBC and Twitter join forces to embed original videos in promoted tweets (video)
The BBC and Twitter deepened their alliance today with the announcement of #BBCTrending, a new initiative to promote original video content through the Twitter Amplify program. A series of short videos produced by BBC Global News and hosted by Anne-Marie Tomchak is set to debut on the social network this fall, providing analysis of trending topics in the form of video clips embedded in promoted tweets. In Tomchak's words, the endeavor aims "to decipher why and how trends are happening on social media around the world." Over the past few months, Twitter has inked a number of deals with broadcasters like ESPN and A&E to promote their videos in tweets, though the BBC partnership is the first time original content has been made specifically with Amplify in mind. To get a glimpse of what #BBCTrending has in store, check out the video after the break.
Twitter outlines new model for targeted ads
We'll admit that we haven't been particularly impressed with the sponsored tweets we've been getting courtesy of Twitter's current ad model. To address the issue, the service is toying around with a more targeted program, offering up ads to users from those businesses and brands they've shown an interest in. Rather than simply mining mentions on the service, the new model utilizes browser cookie IDs and scrambled email addresses, so those who've actually visited that site are more likely to get adverts from it. Not interested in taking part? You can uncheck the box next to Promoted content in your settings to opt out.
Twitter Promoted Tweets: coming to an iPhone, Android app near you
Roughly two years after first launching Promoted Tweets on the desktop, Twitter is rolling out the ad revenue model to its iOS and Android apps. The feature, which places sponsored tweets in users' timelines, is already available in the mobile web version of the site. Updates to the app will bring the ads to a select number of users who already follow those businesses in the next couple of weeks, followed by a wider rollout to users who don't. #ka-ching
