Social Media : Limit On Number Of Words Used

[naomi24]

Most social media websites, Twitter and the AnswerBank for example, restrict the number of words members may type into any one post, but why do they impose a limit? This question was put to me by a friend but I have no idea what to tell her so your expertise would be much appreciated. Thank you.

[Mamyalynne]

Interesting question , I can find many links (one below) on optimum lengths od posts etc - but not exactly why the restriction applies.

http://marketingland.com/long-content-84370


For my own part I groan when I see a very long post, I realise that may well be my personal difficulties especially when there is a lack of spacing.

I'll keep looking in to see if anyone answers you.

[Mamyalynne]

^ of

[naomi24]

I too often groan when I see a very long post. I think Twitter allows only about 20 words so there's a huge discrepancy between that and some other websites.

[Mamyalynne]

Yes - 140 characters, sound bites really I suppose.

[Cloverjo]

I can't usually be bothered to read very long posts. I thought that the 140 character limit on Twitter was an arbitrary figure picked to encourage people to be concise. However, some people seem to just carry on their ramblings into another message.

[naomi24]

Cloverjo, I can understand the wish for people to be concise, but I wondered if there is a technical reason for limiting the number of words.

[Jackdaw33]

It is not the number of words but the number of characters. This includes spaces. It's not really a problem because when you reach the limit you merely continue on the next post.

[naomi24]

Jackdaw, I realise that, but the question is why is it limited?

[Mamyalynne]

As my Grandchildren say ( well they all don't they?) ....

"But, whyyyyyyyyyyy?"

[naomi24]

^Sounds just like my friend. :o)

[Jackdaw33]

I don't know. Perhaps it's to do with the amount of space used up. Maybe if this was posted on the Ed's blog he might give a reason.

[Svejk]

Some people could 'break' the internet with one post.

[-Talbot-]

Not me.

[Jackdaw33]

LOL! I can think of one on here, Mr. Copy and Paste.

[-Talbot-]

I like short posts, something like this ...

mikey will get excited over Farage in the morning.

[Mamyalynne]

That's a picture I didn't need.

[HansUrbancka]

I fail to see the reason, despite what is said in the following article :-

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/05/invented-text-messaging.html

Incidentally, it says in the article that Twitter cut the 160 characters to 140 in order to use 20 for the user's unique address.

Hans.

[naomi24]

Thanks for your answers everyone. It appears there is no real reason

[dunnitall]

Naomi only thing I can think of is when it started on twitter 140 characters was or maybe still is what you can send in one SMS text message.

[naomi24]

dunnitall, could be twitter's reason.