Since its inception, Twitter has always been a free social network. But a new, enhanced version of TweetDeck could bring a subscription-based model to the social media site. In an email survey sent out this week, Twitter has been asking power users if they would be interested in a “new, more enhanced version” of the application, which would bring new tools and an ad-free experience.
Twitter acquired the TweetDeck in 2011, which allows users to “view multiple timelines in one easy interface” and even schedule posts for later. According to Twitter, it is exploring new ways to make TweetDeck “even more valuable for professionals” by adding “more powerful tools to help marketers, journalists, professionals, and others in our community find out what is happening in the world quicker, to gain more insights, and see the broadest range of what people are saying on Twitter.”
Twitter says the new, premium version will bring with it new “signaling tools,” allowing users to get alerts, discover new trends easier and have access to advanced analytics. According to the email, “It will be designed to make it easier than ever to keep up with multiple interests, grow your audience, and see even more great content and information in real-time.”
With its number of new users flat-lining and revenue growth at a standstill, the company is starting to experiment with more aggressive money-making strategies. Last month, Twitter had 319 million average monthly active users in its fourth quarter, up 4 percent from 2016, but revenue only grew by 1 percent to $717 million. According to The Verge, Twitter has been working on a paid subscription service, and this enhanced TweetDeck update could be part of that model.
Users have been tweeting screenshots of the Twitter survey, as well as a preview of this ‘enhanced’ version of TweetDeck. Would you pay for an enhanced, ad-free Twitter experience? Comment below, and let us know!