Twitter Is Working On ‘Tweet Awards’ And Coins To Commend Users
Photo 209944360 © Natanael Alfredo Nemanita Ginting | Dreamstime.com
In the months since Elon Musk’s acquisition, the blue bird has risen from the ashes, nose-dived, and mystified many with its peacocking. Well, be prepared for more because it might soon be handing out prizes too.
Jane Manchun Wong, a security researcher reputed for reverse-engineering social media sites to uncover features that are in the works, has found solid evidence that Twitter is ironing out a ‘Twitter Awards’ system enabling users to applaud tweets they enjoy with valuable stickers, akin to Reddit medals. Wong has outlined the pretty elaborate scheme in a string of tweets.
Here’s the list of Twitter Awards: https://t.co/PpgHebBWD6 pic.twitter.com/BePDVAkzhy
— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) January 5, 2023
To award tweets, users will have to purchase Coins with real money and then buy the emoji prizes, similar to using Reddit Coins to commend posts. Twitter prize names in consideration include ‘Mind Blown’, ‘Bravo’, ‘Super Like’, ‘Helpful’, ‘Bullseye’, ‘Hilarious’, ‘Gem’, ‘Crown’, ‘Rose’, ‘Bronze’, ‘Silver’, and ‘Gold’, with varying price points for each reaction.
Creators who receive the virtual gifts can then exchange them for cash.
Looks like Twitter Awards payout will be done in fiat, with the minimum payout threshold of $50 https://t.co/PpgHebBWD6 pic.twitter.com/pNcvPXxNsc
— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) January 5, 2023
Wong says the company has been transcending “pivots and barriers” to develop Twitter Awards in the past year, which means the feature has been underway even before Musk came into the picture. So although the gifting system may be one way the social network is thinking of recouping losses, it’s likely more well-thought-out than a desperate attempt to overcome budget constraints.
The feature remains an early test, and there’s no guarantee it will come into fruition.
Twitter is also working on a “Coins” menu item that takes you to the purchase screen pic.twitter.com/tSG8msWBGe
— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) January 10, 2023
[via IGN and Social Media Today, images via various sources]
