Since the introduction of paid verification by Elon Musk, Twitter has experienced a decline in user experience due to various issues, including an influx of spam messages in users’ inboxes. To tackle this problem, Twitter has announced a new setting that aims to reduce the amount of spam in direct messages (DMs).
This new setting will redirect messages from verified accounts that users do not follow to the “message requests” inbox, rather than the primary inbox. It is worth noting that this setting will be automatically enabled for individuals who previously had their DMs open to everyone. However, users will still have the option to switch back to the previous settings if they so choose.
This recent development represents a change in direction from a feature that Elon Musk endorsed, allowing paid Twitter Blue subscribers to send direct messages to any user, regardless of their following status. Musk had hoped that this change would help combat the presence of artificial intelligence (AI) bots, but it ultimately resulted in an increase in DM spam.
Twitter’s official support account took to the platform to announce the upcoming change and acknowledge the persisting issue of spammy DMs from verified accounts. In their post, they stated, “We’re adding a new messages setting that should help reduce the number of spam messages in DMs.”
The introduction of this updated setting is expected to commence on July 14th, providing users with a more streamlined messaging experience by filtering out unwanted and spam content.
Given the widespread annoyance caused by DM spam on Twitter, the implementation of this new setting is a welcome and necessary change. It demonstrates Twitter’s commitment to improving user satisfaction and combating issues that compromise the platform’s usability.
Spam messages in DMs can hinder the overall experience on Twitter for various reasons. Firstly, they can be a source of frustration, as users are bombarded with unwanted and irrelevant content. Secondly, they can potentially expose users to fraudulent schemes or phishing attacks, posing a security risk. Finally, an excessive amount of spam messages can clutter the primary inbox, making it difficult for users to find and respond to important messages.
By directing messages from unknown verified accounts to the message requests inbox, Twitter is effectively separating these messages from the user’s main inbox, allowing them to prioritize and filter the content they wish to engage with. Furthermore, this change ensures that users are less likely to miss or overlook important messages from verified accounts they genuinely follow.
It is also worth noting that the timing of this change coincides with the introduction of Twitter Blue, the platform’s subscription service. By implementing this new setting, Twitter is addressing a potential concern regarding the misuse of paid features, ensuring that DMs from paid subscribers are also subject to the same filtering rules.
In conclusion, the introduction of the new setting by Twitter represents a significant step in combating spam in users’ DMs. By rerouting messages from verified accounts that users do not follow to the message requests inbox, Twitter aims to reduce the amount of spam content and enhance the overall user experience. This change is expected to empower users by allowing them to focus on relevant and meaningful interactions while mitigating the security risks associated with spam messages. Twitter’s commitment to addressing this issue is commendable, and it demonstrates their dedication to making the platform a safer and more enjoyable space for all users.
