How the Twitter Algorithm Works in 2020 and How to Make it Work for You

How the Twitter Algorithm Works in 2020 and How to Make it Work for You

SEO BLOG / By


Not everyone loves to have an algorithm determine the content they see online. That’s why Twitter gives people a choice: Top Tweets or Latest Tweets. In other words, Twitter algorithm or no algorithm.

But the truth is, the Twitter algorithm is kind of unavoidable. From In Case You Missed It in the Twitter timeline, to For You in the search tab, it’s always working to show users the tweets it thinks they want to see.

As a business, that means you need to optimize your tweets to make sure they are picked up by the algorithm and seen by the right people.

Twitter algorithm changes are not made lightly. Especially since the algorithm’s first appearance on the platform made #RIPTwitter a trending hashtag. But there have been a few recent tweaks, including Twitter Topics and customizable timelines that you should know about.

Bonus: Download the free strategy guide that reveals how Hootsuite grew our Twitter following to over 8 million users and learn how you can put the tactics to work for your business.

How the Twitter algorithm works

Twitter’s algorithm, like most social media algorithms, is all about personalization. Into Star Wars? Baby Yoda was likely all over your Twitter timeline. Follow American politics? Chances are you saw Elizabeth Warren and Kate McKinnon flip the switch.

But how exactly does the Twitter algorithm work? All social algorithms use machine learning to sort content based on different ranking signals.

Twitter’s ranking signals include recency, relevance, engagement, rich media, and other factors.

It adds up to a complex series of calculations based on what people have liked in the past, what people like them like, and more.

Top Tweets vs. Latest Tweets

Twitter users can toggle between two different Twitter timelines: Top Tweets and Latest Tweets.

Latest Tweets shows people their followers’ tweets in real-time. Top Tweets uses the Twitter algorithm to shuffle posts in what it suggests as a better order.

Twitter Topics

Late last year, Topics started showing up in Twitter timelines, too. Twitter suggests these topics based on what it thinks someone likes. When someone follows a Topic, related tweets, users, events, and ads will appear in their home feed. Right now there are more than 1,000 Topics, with new ones added almost every week.

Customizable Timelines

Twitter members can also add up to five lists they can swipe between to switch up their timelines. Lists can be public or private, and like the timeline, users can toggle between Latest Tweets and Top Tweets within them.

The algorithm doesn’t affect Latest Tweets. But it does influence Top Tweets and Twitter Topics. It also helps determine what appears in In Case You Missed It (ICYMI), Twitter Moments, For You, trending hashtags, and more.

Current Twitter timeline ranking signals

According to Twitter, Top Tweets are chosen “based on accounts you interact with most, tweets you engage with, and much more.” We can only guess what “much more” means. Every algorithm has its secret sauce.

Here’s what Twitter has shared about its Top Tweets and Topics ranking signals:

Recency

  • How recently the tweet was published.

Relevance

  • Keywords used in a Tweet, and how often users engage with tweets that use similar keywords.

Engagement

  • How many retweets, clicks, favorites, and impressions a tweet gets.
  • The tweet’s engagement relative to other tweets from the same user.
  • How often people engage with the tweet’s author, through active engagements and impressions.

Rich Media

  • The type of media the tweet includes (image, video, GIF, and polls).
  • The type of media users engage with most often.

Other factors

  • How many followers an account has.
  • The account’s location relative to other users.

A brief history of the Twitter algorithm

Follow all the Twitter algorithm changes in this timeline.

2006: Twitter Feed 1.0

Twitter’s first feed displayed tweets in reverse chronological order.

2014: Twitter recommendations

Feeds start to include recommended tweets, topics, and accounts.

2015: While you were away

A forerunner to “In case you missed it,” this section recapped select tweets, chosen based on “engagement and other factors.”

2016: Reordered timelines

Twitter’s first foray into algorithmically restructuring timelines pushed the “best tweets” to the top of people’s feeds.

2017: Relevance model and ICYMI

In an effort to be transparent, Twitter explained tweets were being scored on a relevance model that used recency, engagement, and interactions to personalize feeds. “While you were away” was also swapped for “In case you missed it” (ICYMI).

2018: Top Tweets vs. Latest Tweets

This feed overhaul allows users to toggle between Top Tweets and Latest Tweets. In other words, an algorithm feed and a reverse chronological order feed.

2019: Customizable Timelines

Timelines can be swapped for up to five different lists.

2019: Topics

In November, Twitter introduced Topics as a way for users to follow conversations. Following a Topic adds related Tweets, users, events, and ads to the feed.

10 Tips to increase the organic reach of your Tweets

Try these tips to increase reach and land a little higher on the Twitter timeline.

1. Maintain an active Twitter presence

All good relationships require commitment. Even on Twitter.

As the company explains on its blog, “The more often you tweet, the more likely your audience will see and engage with your content.” The more often people engage, the more likely Twitter’s algorithm is to share your tweets with them in the future.

A recent study from Pew Research Center backs that theory up. It finds that the most active accounts on Twitter have 70 times as many favourites and 20 times as many followers on average.

The less often you tweet, the more likely your account is to be the target of purges and unfollows. Don’t feel overwhelmed, though. We can help you schedule tweets.

2. Tweet at the right time

Don’t count on ICYMI to rescue your unseen content. It’s critical to tweet during peak engagement hours, especially since the lifespan of a tweet is shorter than a Friends episode.

Hootsuite research shows that the best time to post on Twitter is between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. EST on Monday or Thursday. But the 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST window tends to be best. You should also check Twitter Analytics to confirm when most of your followers are online and active.

3. Add tags purposefully

Hashtags are a great way to gain traction on Twitter—branded or otherwise.

Keep an eye on trending hashtags. Or even better, plan ahead with top hashtag and keyword forecasts on the Twitter blog. But don’t overdo it. Twitter recommends using no more than two hashtags per tweet.

Then there’s the @ tag. If you mention someone, be sure to include their handle. That way they’ll know to like and retweet as soon as it’s published. Include a photo, and you can tag up to 10 people in it.

This tweet from Time’s Up offers a masterclass (even if they snuck in a third hashtag). Trending hashtag? Check. Mention? Check. Photo? Check. Photo tags? Check.

Signal boosting of this kind is bound to score a few points with the Twitter algorithm.

4. Use photos, videos, GIFs

A boost in engagement can boost your tweet’s ranking with the Twitter algorithm. And it’s well known that tweets with photos, videos, and GIFs tend to get more attention.

I mean…

Twitter data shows that tweets with GIFs receive 55% more engagement than tweets without them. Tweets with videos? They see 10 times more engagement.

5. Encourage followers to engage

When it comes to soliciting engagement on Twitter, it’s simple. Ask and you shall receive.

Ask a question. Ask for feedback. Ask for replies in GIFs or emojis.

Cashapp’s #CashAppWisdom strategy raked in 11K comments in less than an hour.

Twitter’s @TwitterBusiness account asked followers to come up with an A-Z of meeting lingo. Hootsuite asked followers to share what they’ve been feeling grateful about lately.

Hosting a chat or “ask me anything” is another good way to get a convo rolling.

Add an incentive with a Twitter contest. The engage-to-enter format is a tried and true way to boost likes, retweets, or comments.

Obviously, if you ask for engagement, be prepared to return it. Retweet relevant posts. Respond to questions. Show appreciation. There’s no such thing as a one-way conversation.

6. Try a Twitter Poll

Another thing you can ask for: Votes. Polls are a quick and easy way to ask for input on something. It could be anything from a thematically on-brand survey, to a request for concrete feedback.

Glossier poll:

Twitter poll:

HBO Max:

The added benefit of a call-and-response strategy is that it provides you with tons of customer feedback. Make sure you’re prepared to make the most of it with listening tools like Hootsuite.

7. Consider a Twitter thread

Why Tweet in a thread? As Twitter says: “Suspense! Intrigue! Drama!?”

Threads are simply fun to unravel. The format offers brands a fun way to build out a theme or narrative. And, of course, several opportunities for followers to engage.

Take this Netflix thread for example. It takes on the Wash Your Lyrics meme with theme songs from some of its popular shows. If you’re a Friends fan, you’ll like the Friends tweet. Breaking Bad? There’s one for you too.

Then there’s Quip’s take on Rihanna as electric toothbrushes. You simply can’t look away.

8. Join relevant trends and topics

Be a part of the conversation on Twitter. Look for trends and topics that your brand can contribute to—or better yet, lead. Plan ahead with Twitter’s 2020 marketing calendar.

Don’t trend-jack or news-jack your way into every conversation on Twitter. Find the topics and themes that make sense for your brand. Doing this will also increase your odds of appearing in a Twitter Moment.

For example, the Super Bowl is Lay’s biggest sales period, and the big game tends to be big on Twitter, too. It would be crazy for Lay’s to not join the Super Bowl conversation.

French actress Adèle Haenel started the #MerciAdeleHaenel when she walked out of the Césars to protest the awarding of convicted sex offender Roman Polanski. In a show of support, the Twitter account for Portrait of a Lady on Fire, which stars Haenel, tweeted the clip.

The tweet earned more than scores of engagement and appreciation. It gave Twitter users something to share in the heat of the moment.

If you plan to run Twitter ads, use conversation targeting to get in on the action.

9. Repackage top content

Even if you tweet at peak times, chances are many followers may have missed your tweet. And if it performed well the first time, it likely will again.

Don’t simply Retweet or copy your top performing content. Find creative ways to repackage and re-share what works. Leave enough time and contrast from the original so as not to appear spammy.

The New Yorker’s Twitter account often shares the same article at different times. But they choose a different pull quote or tagline to hook you in each time.

10. Apply insights from Twitter Analytics

When it comes to algorithms, there are no one-size-fits-all solutions. Use Twitter Analytics to track what works and what doesn’t, and tailor these tips for your account accordingly.

Save time managing your Twitter presence by using Hootsuite to share video, schedule posts, and monitor your efforts. Try it free today.

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