Third-party customers accounted for 17% of Twitter engagement

2023-05-29 21:07:30

The decision of Twitter ending support for third-party customers has had significant repercussions, as published by Texas Monthly. That move, announced last January, raised concerns about the future of indie developers and their impact on user engagement.

In the publication, Amir Shevat (Former Twitter Product Director for Developer Platform) shared insights on the role of third-party apps in shaping the social network’s identity. Shevat revealed that, historically, customers represented an impressive 17% of all user engagement.

Among the affected companies, Tapbots (creator of Tweetbot) quickly adjusted its focus to the Mastodon. In response to the void left by the discontinuation of its popular app, the company launched an early version of Ivory, a client for iPhones, iPads and Macs aimed at the “of the moment” social network.

A The Iconfactory (responsible for Twitterrific) was also affected. Craig Hockenberry, an executive at the company, expressed disappointment by calling the decision a “cowardly move”. He highlighted the lack of respect shown by Twitter towards its developer ecosystem, echoing the frustrations of many others affected by the change.

The removal of third-party apps on Twitter not only directly affects developers, but also raises concerns about the platform’s long-term strategy. By removing support for these apps, Twitter risks alienating users who have enjoyed the features and experiences offered by third-party apps.

While indie developers need to move forward looking for new solutions and adapting to alternative platforms, the industry is watching closely, recognizing the importance of nurturing a diverse and thriving community of developers.

To read the full report from Texas Monthlywhich brings an interesting chat with the duo Paul Haddad and Mark Jardine (from Tapbots), just access the magazine’s website [em inglês].