Twitter is reportedly considering ditching one of the features that makes it unique. The social network’s famous character limit might balloon from 140 to 10,000.
The news was first reported by Re/Code, but has not been confirmed by Twitter itself. Re/Code reports that Twitter is looking to launch an option to let users make posts longer than 140 characters by the end of the first quarter of 2016.
Twitter’s dedication to the 140-character limit began wavering in August, when it got rid of the limit for direct messages.
It’s also clear that the social network knows that it needs to expand to a wider audience if it hopes to survive. Back in September, just before co-founder Jack Dorsey was named Twitter’s permanent CEO, Re/Code had reported that Twitter was considering getting rid of the 140-character limit.
If - or, more precisely, when - the change happens, Twitter users will only be able to see a post’s first 140 characters and will then have to click on the tweet to expand it. Re/Code’s sources said that the design isn’t final, but this is a good idea. It would keep Twitter looking familiar for long-time users, while also making a change that could appeal to new users.