Twitter to Remove 140-character Limit on Direct Messages
Starting next month, Twitter users can now enjoy sending longer direct messages to their contacts without having to worry about character limit. The micro-blogging giant is removing its 140-character limit for direct and personal messages, a report said.
The company said the change is the latest in its efforts to improve users’ experience. Twitter however said that regular tweets will still be limited to 140 characters.
“One change coming in July that we want to make you aware of now (and first!) is the removal of the 140 character limit in Direct Messages,” the microblogging service said.
“You may be wondering what this means for the public side of Twitter. Nothing! Tweets will continue to be the 140 characters they are today,” it said.
Twitter also advised developers in advance to prepare their applications and services to handle such longer messages. Twitter recommendations include.
- review the new API additions
- update GET requests so they can receive the full length of DM text
- adjust app UI to accommodate longer DM text
A report on tech site The Verge noted this change turns Twitter “into much more of a typical instant message and group chat service.”
It noted the 140-character limit was a nuisance in Direct Messages, which are private “and not meant to be the same type of quick info bite as a tweet.”
“It’ll also be a huge help to companies that run customer service on Twitter. Twitter has already made it easier for companies to do that by giving them the option to let anyone initiate a DM, and now they’ll be able to send long messages back and forth, rather than being arbitrarily restricted,” it added.
/Oto Melara/ Assisted Press
