Why Twitter invites people to share links to tweets instead of screenshots

If you tried to take a screenshot of a tweet on the mobile app, but were instead prompted to share a link to it – well, that’s part of the new limited iPhone test.

• What is happening? Twitter has confirmed it is running a limited test with a small set of iOS users, and as soon as you take a screenshot of a tweet, a tooltip will appear prompting you to share a link to the tweet instead.
• Why care? Because Twitter’s desire to convince people to use its service more often may not match how you want to use the service.
• What to do? If you’re participating in this quiz and don’t like the new tooltip, please leave negative feedback and Twitter may not roll out this feature.

Twitter really wants you to share tweets as links

App researcher Jane Manchun Wong ‘s Twitter says the test pops up a tooltip when a user takes a screenshot of a tweet in the mobile app [ App Store link ], prompting them to share a link to the tweet instead. If you are participating in this test, you may see a different warning.

The tooltip offers two options: “Copy Link”and “Share Tweet”.

Twitter confirmed to The Verge that it is currently running this test with a small number of iOS users who use its beta app via TestFlight. The company hasn’t said when — or for that matter — this new tooltip will roll out to all users.

Twitter is trying to convince me to share the tweet or copy the link instead of taking a screenshot of the tweet pic.twitter.com/vwFYNsf003

— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) October 6, 2022

Why Twitter doesn’t like tweets with screenshots

Posting tweets as links is much better than sharing screenshots of tweets. The main reason is engagement. When you see a screenshot link shared elsewhere, such as in Snapchat messages, TikTok videos, WhatsApp group chats, or Instagram stories and posts, you can’t just tap the image to open the full tweet in your favorite Twitter app. Read: How to hide or remove your birthday from your Twitter profile

This contributes to a decrease in engagement on Twitter. That’s why, instead of posting screenshots of tweets on other platforms as images, Twitter would rather you share a direct link instead. And that’s why some people see this new clue.

This is not the only way Twitter is trying to increase the number of users on its platform.

For example, another test simply reminds people that they can share tweets with someone who doesn’t have a Twitter account. The company is also considering using Twitter without having to create an account.