Find solution
How do I change users?

Will the trend of users replying to others on Twitter with a period before the @ symbol cause Twitter to change how @ replies are shown in streams?

  • I've noticed a recent trend of Twitter users starting to tweet @ replies with a period in front of the tweet so that it goes out to all of their followers. To clarify, I am not asking why this practice is used but rather if the attempt to circumvent how Twitter generally displays these @ replies to others by using this method may cause Twitter to change how these are displayed (one example would be that Twitter treats the @ symbol being the second character of your tweet as if it was the first character of your tweet).

  • Answer:

    All these answers simply restate what the original author of this question already seems to know. OK, an @ reply is only viewed by the person and your mutual followers. Now people are putting a period in front so all followers see the tweet. BUT NO ONE HAS YET ANSWERED THE QUESTION, will Twitter react to this and change how @ replies are viewed in general? I have no inside connection with Twitter so this is purely speculative but I would imagine that eventually, yes. I'm sure it's not a high priority for them, but if they see enough users doing this they will probably change the way @ replies are viewed.

Mike Ron at Quora Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

This is not that recent, it has been common practice since Twitter changed to the new system of limiting tweets commencing with an @reply.  Adding a period reverts the @reply to being broadcast to all followers which was the case before.

Tommy Weir

It appears to be a way to distinguish retweets and direct @ replies on mobile platforms, especially when those tweets are being forwarded to multiple locations. As for it changing how Twitter does things...in the past year and a half I've been on Twitter, I haven't noticed Twitter reacting to things such as this that often. Perhaps the next time Twitter does a general UI update, things will change.

Cheri Marchio

Well, not really. The period is used just because everyone else on the timeline can also see that reply. If you don't use a period at the start, then only the person whom you are mentioning will get to see the message and of course the mutual followers.

Rahul Baskaran

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.