Twitter Etiquette: 17 Essential Tweet Rules to Follow

Twitter Etiquette: 17 Essential Tweet Rules to Follow

As a social media marketer and marketing consultant, I’ve been using Twitter since 2008 and have seen Twitter’s evolution into the site now known as X. Some things stay the same, however, such as old-fashioned manners. Thus, my attempt to teach you all the tweet rules and Twitter etiquette that I have learned over the years. Twitter is a special place, so as long as you treat people with respect, it will work in your favor. On the other hand, there’s an old saying that what you say on the Internet never goes away, even if you delete it. Don’t mess it up.

Why Following Tweet Rules Matters 

Twitter is a social media platform with plenty of rules designed to make sure Twitter profiles are maintaining site guidelines and adhering to the niceties of social etiquette. When you engage in hateful conduct or otherwise problematic content, you are not only penalized by Twitter; you are also failing to make the most of the site’s algorithm. Following Twitter rules, however, your original content can enjoy: 

  • Increased Engagement: Adhering to Twitter rules can help boost engagement, foster stronger relationships, and deliver a positive brand image to your readers. When you produce informative tweets used to deliver relevant content and increase audience interest, you will see far greater results. 
  • Builds Credibility: Maintaining a professional online persona is an important part of building your brand and keeping your audience interested and engaged. Proper tweet etiquette helps your audience see you as a legitimate brand and your professional online persona can help build trust. 
  • Helps Avoids Missteps: Etiquette is put in place to help avoid many of the common mistakes that can be linked to harmed reputations and alienated followers. By adhering to all standardized forms of etiquette, you are more likely to avoid common mishaps and prevent coming across as partaking in violent extremism and other problematic viewpoints attributed to some Twitter profiles. 

Basic Tweet Rules and Twitter Etiquette

5 Rules of Twitter Etiquette
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This category of tweet rules revolves around what you actually say on Twitter. In other words, as you compose the body of your tweet (not tags) what should you think about? Not everything is helpful or advisable, so how do you determine the best way to go about creating content? I have put together some of the best tips below. 

1. Keep tweets concise and relevant

Twitter etiquette punishes long-winded tweets. Although Twitter expanded from 140 to 280 characters, it still is a platform for short-form content. Don’t feel like you need to go over 140 characters. Those extra characters are great for a few extra hashtags. But nobody likes long-winded tweets in the long run. Remember: the longer it takes you to say something, the more likely that people will miss the point. So make sure your tweets are clear, on-topic, and valuable to your audience.

2. Use hashtags wisely

If you put too many hashtags in your tweets, it looks like you’re spamming people. As in, competing for too many places in search or the feed. This breach of Twitter etiquette works against you. Studies have shown that if you put more than 3 hashtags in your tweets, it can drop your engagement by 17%. So limit your use of hashtags to two three relevant tags per tweet. 

3. Be authentic and avoid over-promotion

Authenticity on Twitter, just like anywhere else is social media, is the name of the game. Be genuine. At the same time, while some people talk about themselves occasionally, you should never overdo it. If you want to be followed by others, share content above and beyond your own and become a “channel” that others tune into. That’s why I share a ton of curated content on Twitter: there is value in being authentic and adding to your followers’ feeds, without being too self-indulgent. In essence, make sure you avoid excessive self-promotion.

4. Avoid tweeting in bursts 

Spacing out tweets is ideal, rather than sending out “tweet storms,” or enormous bursts of tweets. Although that may not be the worst from time to time–think when following a particular instance of breaking news–a single tweet is better than an ongoing series of rapid posts. A real person is unlikely to post a stream of tweets, and doing so can make your content seem less genuine, and can create fatigue for your followers. By keeping your tweets sparing, you can make sure that your social media marketing strategy is not being overshadowed.  

Further Reading: The 3 Best Ways How to Schedule Tweets for Twitter

ReTweeting Rules

Admittedly, retweeting is a delicate area of tweet rules. On the one hand, you want to share the best tweets from other people. On the other hand, you don’t want to overdo it or make someone feel as though you are copying them. Imitation is the best form of flattery, but there does come a point when it can feel more like theft. 

5. Add your perspective to a retweet.

Sometimes we just want to press that retweet button, but it’s always more respectful to the original tweeter AND valuable to your audience when you quote a tweet and add your perspective through adding a comment or insight to make it relevant to your followers.. You can do anything from disagreeing with the original author to carrying their point further. And yes, even humor is welcome in certain situations.

6. Credit the original poster 

Importance of Giving Credit
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Reposting is frequently a type of content used on Twitter, but it is essential to acknowledge your sources and give credit when you are using other people’s work. By using the retweet button, you can ensure that your source is credited, with or without adding your quote. For this reason, I usually recommend using that retweet button whenever possible. 

7. Be selective with retweets

Followers can be overwhelmed by constant retweets, so make sure you are being selective in your retweets. Industry news and headlines can be great, but takes on those headlines may be unnecessary. Rather than simply clicking and posting any relevant content you come across, be careful to only post retweets that adhere to the niche identified in your Twitter bio, and keep all content within the bounds of your social media marketing strategy. 

Interacting with Followers and Other Accounts

Social media today frequently discusses what you need to be posting on your accounts, but remember that how you use your account is also important. A social media manager is responsible for creating content, developing posts around hot topics, and managing a content calendar, but they must also engage with followers and other accounts without espousing spammy behavior. 

Further Reading: 12 Ways How to Get More Followers on Twitter

8. Reply thoughtfully

Thoughtful, engaging replies will always garner more appreciation and interest than a generic or simple acknowledgement, like “thanks.” To that end, as you create your messages and posts, adhere to the practices of industry leaders and craft considered responses. Do the same as you measure which types of tweets you want to respond to, and which you will pass by. 

9. Engage with questions and polls

Twitter Poll example
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Polls and questions offer a great way to encourage followers to interact and feel seen and valued. When you ask questions or post polls, you may not feel as though you are producing amazing content, but you are providing an opportunity for your followers to see your brand as one with real people behind it. They also offer a way to engage in real time. 

10. Tagging considerations

Tagging is a great way to bring someone into the fold as you flesh out your Twitter profile. That being said, tagging can be overused and come across as spammy or even intrusive to the people you are tagging. Consider tagging only when it would be bad policy not to do so, or when relevant topics require you to rope in another individual. Bad behavior on Twitter may not be common in the business sphere, but over-tagging can be found within that category. 

Content Considerations for Tweeting 

No matter your national origin or the topic of your particular niche, there will always be content considerations to take into account before creating a tweet on your business or brand account. Although something as obvious as intimate photos should never be shared, there are plenty of other topics and discussions that should be avoided on your Twitter feed that would be included on any list of tweet rules. 

11. Be Mindful of Sensitive Topics

You should avoid offensive content, and anything that could qualify as abusive content, but there are some sensitive topics that can be touched upon with respect and caution. Tweeting about controversial subjects can feel like a minefield, but can be done with tact when the situation calls for it. Social media today often errs on the side of either online abuse or extreme avoidance; circumvent those pitfalls by approaching all sensitive topics with kindness and empathy. 

Although promoting your brand and your products or services is important, doing so in a way that can be seen as spammy or aggressive can harm your engagement. Promotional links need to be seamless. Social media today can be rife with links and promotions, and partnerships with influencers for advertising purposes, but continually posting links can negatively impact your engagement and reach. 

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Further Reading: Reasons Why Your Twitter Account May Be Restricted (Without Your Knowing It)

Best Practices for Hashtag Use

Hashtags in social media originated with Twitter. But that doesn’t excuse you from considering Twitter etiquette. It’s possible to apply hashtags in ways that undermine your overall message, or that result in your tweets getting buried. Neither of these outcomes are beneficial.

13. Choose relevant hashtags

Tips for Choosing the Right Hashtag
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If you want your tweet to be found for a keyword that is not included in your tweet, add the hashtag. You can also add them to be included in an ongoing discussion if the tweet is useful to that thread. Finally, add branded hashtags (or #sponsored) as appropriate. In other words, make sure that you select hashtags that align with your content and audience.

This should go without saying, but there are some who see a trending hashtag and want to promote their own product or service to a larger audience by simply adding that hashtag to your irrelevant tweet. Don’t do that, unless you want to make a LOT of people angry at you. Worse yet you could get reported and have your Twitter account restricted. Using trending hashtags without context will simply make you appear opportunistic.

Further Reading: 7 Clever Ideas How to Use Twitter Hashtags for Your Brand

Guidelines for Professional Conduct on Twitter 

Behaving professionally means focusing on the types of tweets that directly involve your business and your products or services. As I mentioned above, you do not need to create promotional content each and every time you log in; however, you do need to make sure that you are producing awesome content that is related to your niche, and will offer value to your audience. To that end, make sure that you…

15. Be respectful in all interactions

The Dos and Donts of Professional Communication Online
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As you create your tweets, and to avoid content removal or the creation of bad tweets, focus on maintaining a respectful tone. You can have disagreements on your profile, and you can engage in discussion with your audience or followers, but make sure you do so with respect and consideration–especially when you are discussing sensitive content or charged topics. 

16. Avoid responding to trolls

It can be difficult to ignore negative interactions, or take action against accounts that continually bring negativity to your engagement through muting or blocking. Failing to do so, however, can bring a great deal of negativity and a lack of harmony to your page. Ignoring, muting, and blocking are ideal solutions to deal with negative interactions that lack a constructive bend. Do not be afraid to block on Twitter, as it can have a positive impact on your engagement and help you create the type of audience and community you want from your business. 

17. Stay Positive and Solution-Oriented

It’s easy to want to complain about anything and everything on Twitter, but it is best to refrain as much as possible from complaining. Save most of your complaints for the customer service aspects of Twitter, where brands WANT to hear how they can do better. Otherwise, too much negativity can cost you followers and engagement. Who wants to be around an angry person all the time? Twitter is not your place to rant or rave; it is a place to engage, promote yourself, and project your preferred image. 

Further Reading: How to Use Twitter for Business: 15 Definitive Tips to Help You Master Tweeting

Now follow these tweet rules and become a good Twitizen!

Like most other forums, Twitter has rules for proper use. Some of these are in the Terms of Service, while others are social graces. Following those rules helps improve your overall brand image and effectiveness. Hope that these Twitter etiquette tips and tweet rules help you develop stronger relationships and more business on Twitter! 

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Neal Schaffer
Neal Schaffer

Neal Schaffer is a leading authority on helping businesses through their digital transformation of sales and marketing through consulting, training, and helping enterprises large and small develop and execute on social media marketing strategy, influencer marketing, and social selling initiatives. President of the social media agency PDCA Social, Neal also teaches digital media to executives at Rutgers University, the Irish Management Institute (Ireland), and the University of Jyvaskyla (Finland). Fluent in Japanese and Mandarin Chinese, Neal is a popular keynote speaker and has been invited to speak about digital media on four continents in a dozen countries. He is also the author of 3 books on social media, including Maximize Your Social (Wiley), and in late 2019 will publish his 4th book, The Business of Influence (HarperCollins), on educating the market on the why and how every business should leverage the potential of influencer marketing. Neal resides in Irvine, California but also frequently travels to Japan.

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