What is Twitter?

In 2023, Twitter changed its name to X as part of a plan to become an “everything app” with more features. 

Twitter, now rebranded as X, is a popular social media platform where you can share short updates called posts (previously tweets). These messages are limited to 280 characters, letting you quickly share thoughts, news, and media. 

On X, you can post text, images, videos, and GIFs. You can also repost (previously know as retweet) others’ posts, like content, and use hashtags to join conversations. 

The platform plays a big role in real-time discussions and trending topics.  

Key features of X

X offers unique real-time features for social media users and brands. You’ll find posts at its core – short, public, and limited to 280 characters. These quick updates keep you in the loop on breaking news and trending topics. 

Reposts and replies boost engagement. You can amplify content you like or start conversations with other users.  

Hashtags play a big role in content discovery. They help you find and join discussions on specific topics. 

Mentions using the @ symbol let you interact directly with other users. This feature is great for networking and customer service. 

X’s fast-paced nature makes it ideal for live events and real-time marketing. You can join X Spaces for audio chats or use lists to organize accounts you follow. 

How brands use X for marketing 

Brands use X to connect with customers in real-time. You’ll see companies responding to questions, addressing concerns, and sharing updates quickly. This direct interaction helps build trust and loyalty. 

X’s fast-paced nature is perfect for event marketing. Brands join conversations around trending topics and live events, using popular hashtags to boost visibility. 

Many companies use X to show their personality. They share behind-the-scenes content, jokes, and relatable posts to seem more human and approachable. 

You’ll notice brands partnering with influencers on X to reach new audiences. These collaborations often involve sponsored posts or takeovers of company accounts. 

To make the most of X marketing, you need to track conversations and measure sentiment. Brandwatch’s tools can help you monitor these important metrics in real-time. 

Advertising and paid promotions on X

X offers several ways for brands to reach bigger audiences through paid advertising. You can use promoted posts to boost your content in users’ feeds. There’s also the option of promoted trends to get your hashtag front and center. 

When setting up ads, you can target specific groups based on things like age, location, and interests. This helps you connect with the right people. 

You’ll want to track how well your ads perform. X provides tools to measure clicks, app installs, and other goals.  

For deeper insights, Brandwatch’s analytics capabilities let you dive into audience behavior and refine your strategy. 

With the right approach, X ads can be a powerful way to grow your brand and connect with potential customers. The key is understanding your audience and crafting messages that resonate with them.

X analytics and metrics

X analytics help you track your social media performance. You can see key metrics like impressions, engagement rates, and follower growth. These numbers show how well your posts are doing. 

Impressions tell you how many times people saw your posts. Engagement rates show how often users interact with your content. You can also see which posts perform best. 

Tracking follower growth helps you understand if your audience is expanding. This data lets you adjust your strategy and create better content. 

Tools like Brandwatch can analyze these metrics across multiple platforms. This gives you a fuller picture of your social media impact. 

By using analytics, you can make smarter decisions about what to post and when. This helps you connect with your audience more effectively on X and beyond. 

The evolution to X and future trends 

Twitter’s rebrand to X marked a big shift, and we may see new features and functionality.

Brands may need to rethink their strategies, and might use X for more than just customer service and posting updates in the future.  

Stay tuned for changes that could reshape how you use the platform.