Many Twitter Inc. (NASDAQ:TWTR) users, especially those who are particularly active commentators in controversial areas, say the social media network’s largest issue is abuse.
Twitter has taken steps to cut down on abuse, up to and including permanently banning accounts that have been flagged too many times. But critics argue these actions haven’t been enough. It’s easy for an abusive person to simply start up a new account.
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has heard these complaints, and the company has finally acted.
Dorsey outlined the upcoming changes in a blog post, which include changing Twitter’s algorithm to ensure abusive tweets don’t get seen as often. The offending tweets will no longer show up in search results or replies, which Twitter hopes will also decrease the motivation to send malicious tweets. It’s not as much fun being a troll if nobody pays attention.
Twitter has also made it easier for people to mute keywords, phrases, hashtags and conversations they don’t want to be notified about.
Abuse has long been an issue for Twitter. In 2016, rumors were circulating about the company shopping itself to many different suitors. One by one these companies passed on making a formal bid for the micro blogging service. Many were reportedly scared off because of the company’s abuse problem.
Some say Twitter’s abuse problem will never be fully solved, however. Twitter users don’t have to give their real name. It’s much easier to be abusive when it’s done under the cloak of anonymity.
