Twitter users frustrated by Tiktok-style update

TWITTER users have expressed their frustration over an update to the social media platform that mimics a feature from Chineseowned Tiktok.

Twitter rolled out changes to its app for iphone users this week to make a new timeline, nicknamed “For You”, the default feed.

The timeline is generated using algorithms so that users are shown tweets from accounts they follow in a random order, interspersed with tweets that the website thinks they may like. Users need to swipe across to switch to the chronological feed, labelled “Following”.

The overhaul echoes the feed favoured by Tiktok – also called “For You” – and is one of a number of changes being pushed through by Elon Musk following his troubled $44bn (£36bn) takeover of Twitter last year.

But the move has prompted criticism from many Twitter users, who have complained they are no longer seeing updates from the people they follow.

Richard Osman, the TV presenter and novelist, wrote: “Every morning Twitter reverts to the awful ‘For You’ feed, and you have to coax it back to the ‘Following’ feed. Every morning. It’s like teaching a toddler to tie their shoelaces.”

Twitter said the move was designed to ensure users see the “best” content on the platform. But it also raises the possibility that users could be exposed to more adverts and sponsored posts.

The revamp is one of a number of changes promised by Mr Musk, who has already fired thousands of employees and started charging users for a blue tick.