In a chaotic week for Twitter, in which Elon Musk held a poll asking if he should step down as head of the platform, one idea plucked from the chaos has really got people talking. Musk has implemented a new rule, one that wasn’t in its terms and conditions previously, that users are now banned from linking to other social platforms in their Twitter bios or posts.
As explained by Twitter: “We recognize that many of our users are active on other social media platforms. However, we will no longer allow free promotion of certain social media platforms on Twitter.”
“Specifically, we will remove accounts created solely for the purpose of promoting other social platforms and content that contains links or usernames for the following platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon, Truth Social, Tribel, Nostr and Post.”
An attempt to make Twitter the only social media platform might well backfire, making it the only forgotten platform. That’s if you take Elon Musk at his word. The CEO famously has a hatred for journalists, and it’s therefore interesting that the only people banned for this indiscretion are journalists.
In the meantime, what exactly are social media marketers, who are always attempting to raise engagement on other social media platforms, supposed to do? And affiliate marketers that are designed to send people off the platform and onto other sites?
Well, take a deep breath. Knowing Musk’s history, chances are this rule will be reversed by tomorrow.
