TweetDeck Guide: History, Origin, and More

Key Points:

• TweetDeck is one of the first apps created to improve the Twitter experience, only to be purchased by the main platform itself.
• TweetDeck is highly flexible and can be used for the web, an iPhone, or an Android.
• The original version of TweetDeck had a variety of supports for other social media programs, including MySpace, FourSquare, Google Buzz, and more. This support was removed when Twitter purchased the app. 
• It allows you to view multiple pieces of information (timeline, mentions, DMs and search terms) in one screen.

What is TweetDeck: Explained

TweetDeck is a customizable social media app. Users who use it can link their Twitter account – or multiple Twitter accounts – under the app. From there, they can create a series of columns that monitor a Twitter feed, mentions, DMs, search terms, trending topics, and more. users can also pre-schedule tweets and access and monitor a series of analytics, making it easy to see advanced Twitter features that are not available on the main app.

TweetDeck is not the most advanced of the various Twitter management apps. However, unlike other apps, it is completely free. Furthermore, it is one of the few apps used for these purposes that is actually owned by Twitter, thus giving it a competitive advantage over many other apps. 

How to Use TweetDeck

TweetDeck has a variety of different functions. The dashboard is often changing, thus necessitating you needing to find a full-length tutorial if you want to get a better idea of how it works. However, thankfully, a tutorial isn’t necessary in order to access its more basic functions.

The left-hand column can be used for many features, including:

• Adding columns to your tweetdeck
• Sending and scheduling a tweet from multiple accounts

Above each column is a search function. This function – which is displayed as two rows with buttons on them – allows you to filter the specific column. This allows you to see content that specifically focuses on certain keywords or phrases and potentially respond to messages directly. Different columns also have different uses: For example, in the direct message column, you can mark all messages as read.

Finally, you can also click on a tweet in order to see media, retweet it, respond to it, favorite it, or more. 

If you are interested in learning more, there are an array of tutorials that you can find which can give you additional information. 

The Difference Between TweetDeck and Twitter

Both TweetDeck and Twitter have very similar uses. Both allow users to view Twitter timelines, send tweets, and see their messages or mentions. Both also have search capabilities.

However, for individuals who use Twitter more often, who have multiple accounts, or who need more advanced features, TweetDeck has a variety of highly superior features. These include:

• The ability to schedule tweets.
• Easily switch back and forth between two accounts
• View all tweets – including customized searches – in one column
• Create custom searches
• Easily view multiple pieces of information (timeline, mentions, DMs and search terms) in one screen
• Automatically refresh without needing to click, thus enabling a constantly reloading timeline

TweetDeck Release History

There have been many different versions of TweetDeck released over the course of its existence. the most current up-to-date version appears to be from July 2019, and that version provided a variety of bug fixes. However, a closed update is currently in progress and may be released to the general public shortly. This has a series of updates, including advanced video functions, such as being able to start and stop video on demand, as well as docking it on your screen. 

The original product appeared on July 4, 2008, and that was just for the website. Additional products were leased over time that expanded functionality, including an iPhone, iPad, and Android version. All of this occurred before Twitter bought the product in 2011. Later versions offered a series of technical improvements and removed functionalities for all non-Twitter programs, including Foursquare and MySpace. Accessibility was also improved, allowing Twitter users the ability to sign in to the platform with one’s own Twitter username and password.

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