Twitter announces new policy to reduce ‘copypasta’ content

Twitter has introduced a bunch of new rules to decrease the visibility of tweets from accounts that post duplicate ‘copypasta’ content.

In recent months, Twitter has seen multiple changes, such as having a new owner, as well as the introduction of new features, such as the long-awaited edit button.

Now, the company giant has announced rules on copypasta to prevent plagiarism.

Here is everything you need to know.

What is copy paste?

Copypasta is an online jargon that can be referred to as duplicate content.

In simple terms, it means that users of the account copy, paste, and tweet the same text across online forums and social media platforms.

The ‘copypasta’ method is used not only by individual users, but also by some major companies operating online jargon to run various campaigns.

Regardless, it ends up with large-scale spam and hostile campaigns. Also, it encourages people to steal ideas from other users.

Ways to identify if your tweets have limited visibility?

Twitter has announced four ways you can determine whether or not your tweets are visible to other users. They are:

• make tweets ineligible for amplification in top and trending search results.
• do not suggest tweets on the timelines of users who do not follow the author of the Tweet.
• downranking tweets in replies.
• excluding tweets and/or email accounts.

Instances of safe and offensive Twitter content

The social networking website has provided users with examples to share content in a safe way that limits the visibility of their tweets. They are:

• Retweet existing content using the Retweet feature.
• copy and paste a tweet mixed with its content, comment or explicitly quote the copied content.

In addition, they have given two examples of offensive content that would reduce the visibility of a user’s account and tweets. They are:

• Identical content tweeted by an individual even if those involved are using the same account.
• Tweets that may alter the experience of other users, including mentioning users or using hashtags with the same content as the tweet.

What is included in a serious violation?

Twitter went on to reveal what it considered a serious violation under the new policy. Failure to abide by the rules can result in the removal of the users tweet or even permanent suspension from the social networking site.

• Use automation or scripts to publish copypasta content.
• Operating one or multiple accounts where most of the content promotes copypasta content results in inauthentic engagement.
• Repeated participation in copypasta in an effort to promote content that violates other Twitter Rules.