Twitter rolled out internal testing of the Edit Tweet feature before expanding to Twitter Blue subscribers in the coming weeks.
Given that this is the most requested feature to date, Twitter wanted to both share an update on its progress and give people on the platform a heads up that, even if they’re not in a test group, everyone will still be able to see if a tweet has been edited.
What is Edit Tweet?
Edit Tweet is a feature that lets people make changes to their tweet after it’s been published. Think of it as a short period of time to do things like fix typos, add missed tags, and more.
For this test, tweets will be able to be edited a few times in the 30 minutes following their publication. Edited tweets will appear with an icon, timestamp, and label so it’s clear to readers that the original tweet has been modified. Tapping the label will take viewers to the tweet’s edit history, which includes past versions of the tweet.
For context, the time limit and version history play an important role here. They help protect the integrity of the conversation and create a publicly accessible record of what was said.
Who will be testing Edit Tweet?
Like any new feature, Twitter is intentionally testing Edit Tweet with a smaller group to help incorporate feedback while identifying and resolving potential issues. This includes how people might misuse the feature.
Later this month, the platform will be expanding Edit Tweet access to Twitter Blue subscribers. As part of their subscription, they receive early access to features and help test them before they come to Twitter. The test will be localized to a single country at first and expand as Twitter learns and observes how people use Edit Tweet. Close attention will be paid to the feature’s impact on the way people read, write, and engage with tweets.
With the availability of Edit Tweet, the platform hopes to make Tweeting feel more approachable and less stressful.