socialmedian: One Billion Tweets Strong, Twitter Contemplates Charging for Use

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One Billion Tweets Strong, Twitter Contemplates Charging for Use - MarketingVOX

Submitted by Sarahcrisman

5 days ago

Summary

Microblogging service Twitter may be brewing a pay-to-Tweet model for businesses using it to promote wares or connect with consumers.

Twitter enables users to publish "microblogs" of up to 140 characters apiece. Last month it ranked among the fastest-growing social networks — racking up 343% growth year over year. It received between $1 million and $5 million in VC funding late last year, buttressed by an investment from Amazon's Jeff Bezos last summer.

Among other options, Twitter is considering charging companies that use it for consumer feedback purposes. Such firms include Zappos, Comcast, Starbucks, GoDaddy and Amazon. It may also begin placing ads alongside search engine results.

Such decisions are being volleyed about as venture capitalists increasingly shy away from tech startups. "The VCs have the money, but they'll just negotiate harder," said CEO Evan Williams. "I wan Read the full article

Comments (3)

Cabradio,

Nov 23, 2008

Would YOU pay to use Twitter? And if yes, what do you consider a reasonable fee?

Jasongoldberg,

Nov 23, 2008

@cabradio I'd pay $5/month for exactly what I do now with Twitter. The only problem is that someone else would come along and offer the same for free. Differentiated premium twitter services will be the key.

Danielpatricio,

Nov 23, 2008

@jasongoldberg I read a Wired article last month that talked about Urbanbaby.com. They had a very active community but when they were bought out by CBS, they made changes to the website that didn't sit well with the users.

In response, a few former active members got together and built a website that more closely resembled the former site, by working on evenings and weekends. Eventually the new website had eclipsed the CBS entity.

I guess the lesson here is that it is getting easier for people to develop their own networks. If they annoy the users they can always set up their own network.

Would I pay for Twitter, definetly. Would it stunt new user growth? Probably.

Maybe there will be a new competitor that will scoop up those that wouldn't want to pay. Then again, that might help maintain the great quality of users on Twitter. currently has