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IPFS News Link • Social Networking/Social Media

Twitter Unveils New Moments Feature for Tracking Big Events

• http://www.bloomberg.com

Twitter Inc.'s newly installed chief executive officer, Jack Dorsey, says a key to a turnaround is making the product more understandable for people who aren't hardcore users. On Tuesday, the social network unveiled a feature that is critical to that plan.

The new product, called Moments, curates the avalanche of information flowing across Twitter about major events, including big games, entertainment-awards shows, breaking news or silly cultural memes. It's a long-awaited project aimed at helping people more easily see information coming across Twitter.

Moments emphasizes Twitter's position as a news wire for the digital age. While the social-media site is often first with details about major global events, it can be difficult to keep up for those who aren't familiar with the text-heavy, stream-of-consciousness format. People use Twitter by "following" other accounts, allowing users to customize the product around specific interests, but it also means missing out on things being said by those they aren't tracking. With the Moments tool, Twitter will use human editors and an algorithm to pull together posts about particular events -- such as the Academy Awards or a political debate -- so users can quickly catch up.

"We know finding these only-on-Twitter moments can be a challenge, especially if you haven't followed certain accounts," Madhu Muthukumar, product manager for Moments, said in a blog post. "Moments helps you find the best of Twitter as easily as tapping an icon -- regardless of who you follow."

The product, initiated under former CEO Dick Costolo, will test Dorsey's ability to draw in a wider audience. User growth has stalled in recent quarters and the company's stock has dropped 22 percent this year as investors question Twitter's long-term prospects. Hundreds of millions of Twitter accounts are dormant or rarely used, according to an analysis by Wells Fargo.


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