Social media is fuming and you may have noticed that your Twitter background disappeared for no reason. Well, it did the same for everyone else and tweets all around have turned into outright shrieks of protest when Twitter has unceremoniously removed all background pictures and replaced them with pure white.
When viewing their profile, notifications tab or timeline, users will now notice that their colorful or artistically significant customized backgrounds have been removed. Twitter confirmed the change, but provided no further comment or a reason why they left their users to experience the pain of a blank background.
Before, users were allowed to change the aspect of their profile and customize it as they pleased, but it now seems that the little pleasure has been snatched away from them. Not known as a quiet community, Twitter users were quick to voice out… or tweet out their protest to the change.
They have called the modification as “blank” or “blinding white” that robbed them of their pleasure of adding that unique quality to their profiles that different from everyone else. And, as we all know, identity in a world constantly evolving and changing has become a pillar upon which most social media users cling to.
Twitter seems to be shackling them down further for the sake of a more uniform, and official look. On all profiles. Without their consent. It does not seem like the greatest strategy. But there are theories as to why the social media website has made this unpopular move.
The average users, including celebrities, are not the only ones who affected by the plan white background. Companies most commonly use the customization for advertising or display of their newest program.
While the most common explanation seems to be for aesthetics, which sounds a bit unlikely considering the matter is entirely subjective and it’s the users who ultimately have to be pleased, the more likely scenario is that the change is a step ahead of a more ad filled background.
The most likely choice seems to be that Twitter is preparing itself for the launch of Project Lighting, a feature that will allow users to follow and tweet together on live events or breaking news. The feature might require its space and certainly some proper advertising ahead of its release.
Otherwise, there might be little sense as to why Twitter has made a move that had infamously shut the lid on Myspace’s coffin many years ago.
Image source: wired.com
chairzone says
thought it was just me for 2 days. tried and tried to retrieve but no avail. not happy if this move is made for advertising. I’ll get used to plain white but not for advertising.