The Untapped Potential of Listmaking and the Future of TweetDeck

Kazuki

Hatched by Kazuki

Jul 20, 2023

3 min read

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The Untapped Potential of Listmaking and the Future of TweetDeck

Twitter is working on a "big overhaul" of TweetDeck, acknowledging that they haven't given it much attention recently. They plan to unveil a new and improved version later this year. This move reflects their commitment to giving more love to their developer ecosystem, as they recognize the value that developers bring to the platform.

Listmaking, on the other hand, is an area that has not seen much breakout success despite its potential. The internet is essentially made up of lists, but there are certain factors that affect how we perceive and interact with them. Cadence, content type, and sort are some of the elements that shape our experience with lists. However, creating a single user case for listmaking may limit the potential for building a successful network.

Delicious, a service similar to listmaking, could have been more powerful if it focused on excellent search and indexing capabilities. Google monetized search by matching discrete searches and creating new lists based on those matches. The challenge lies in monetizing random lists and finding the intersecting points between them.

The key to making a list successful is to provide valuable insights and make the content less obvious. Lists that offer unique perspectives and practical knowledge are more likely to engage users and foster repeat engagement. Content-based lists, like those found on Buzzfeed or Product Hunt, can be fun to consume initially but often lack the staying power for long-term engagement.

Looking at the evolution of lists, Yahoo started as a list of websites to visit, while Craigslist began as a simple list of events. As lists have become more complex, they may have lost their simplicity and appeal. Most lists don't solve urgent problems, making it challenging to build a business solely around them.

To create successful list-based platforms, it is crucial to consider the different ways list makers and list readers interact. Providing tools for dynamic and actionable lists can create network effects and enhance the user experience. A combined list site and discovery engine could revolutionize content discovery on the internet.

While list-based sites have the potential to surpass Google in terms of discovery, there are still challenges to overcome. Generating lists from URLs is not seamless on mobile devices, and a web-first approach may attract power users. Additionally, building a thriving community is essential for long-term success in the listmaking space.

Finding the right balance between altruism and narcissism is another crucial aspect. Lessons can be learned from platforms like Delicious, which had the potential to dominate but lost its way. A horizontal list-building site may initially emerge from a niche, text-heavy, and unprofitable community, eventually expanding to reach a broader audience.

In conclusion, listmaking and the future of platforms like TweetDeck hold immense potential. By focusing on the needs of users, providing unique insights, and fostering community engagement, list-based platforms can redefine content discovery and enhance the user experience.

Actionable Advice:

  • 1. Focus on providing valuable insights and unique perspectives in your lists to increase their appeal and engagement.
  • 2. Consider the different ways list makers and list readers interact, and provide tools that make lists dynamic and actionable.
  • 3. Build a strong community around your list-based platform to foster engagement and recognition for contributions.

(Note: The content in this article is a combination of various sources and does not reference any specific source directly.)

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