Observed Signal · Mar 17, 2023 · Policy Update · Source: OnlineMarketing.de · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Twitter Downgrades Rival Platform Accounts
Twitter reportedly down-ranked corporate accounts belonging to rival platforms in its ranking algorithm. The action targeted 19 official TikTok accounts, 3 Snapchat accounts, and 2 Instagram accounts, reducing their appearance on the For You Page. Notable TikTok accounts affected include @TikTok_US, @TikTokSports, and @TikTokSupport. The information stems from internal documents seen by Platformer and reported by Zoe Schiffer on March 17, 2023. The piece notes this is not Twitter’s first move against competitors on the platform; December 2022 saw restrictions on linking to other social networks and the Mastodon account was suspended. A reason for the downranking remains unclear. The report also references Elon Musk’s tweets and a separate policy shift described as “freedom of speech but not freedom of reach.”
Policy update by a major platform affecting competitor accounts' visibility; significant implications for cross-platform reach and advertising ecosystem.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Twitter down-ranked 19 official TikTok accounts, 3 Snapchat accounts, and 2 Instagram accounts.
- Affected TikTok accounts include @TikTok_US, @TikTokSports, and @TikTokSupport.
- Information comes from internal Platformer documents cited by Zoe Schiffer (March 17, 2023).
- December 2022 actions included blocking links to other social platforms and Mastodon account suspension.
- @HHSGov (US Department of Health and Human Services) also appears on the downranking list.
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