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Twitter was in the news this week for major changes to its service. Twitter is becoming more social, adding features to make it easier to connect with others, and more informational, taking advantage of its ability to distribute information across a wide audience.
These updates mean a change to your privacy settings so make sure to read below to see how to make sure you have the privacy you desire.
Don’t Miss → How to Find Your First Tweet! (Are You Brave Enough to Look?) to take a peek at your very first tweet!
Multiple Photos
Twitter is rolling out a new feature that will initially appear in its iPhone and Android apps, then on its website, so you can share multiple photos in your tweets. The updated app lets you add up to four photos in a single tweet.
You can select up to four photos that will appear in a rectangular collage in your tweet. In the earlier version of the Twitter app you would have to use a different photo editing app to create a collage, save it as a photo and then add the collage photo to your tweet using the Twitter app. The updated Twitter app will make it easier for you to add multiple photos to a single tweet by allowing you to create a collage from within the Twitter app.
Tagging
Previously you could add a photo to a tweet and mention someone in the tweet by using their @TwitterID. Now you don’t have to waste any of your precious 140 characters with @TwitterID’s. Instead you can tag someone in the photo and free up space for more words, hashtags and links. You’ll be able to tag up to 10 people in a photo.
If someone tags you in a photo you’ll be alerted to the tag in the Notifications section of Twitter, the same way you’re alerted if someone mentions you in a tweet using your @TwitterID.
[note] For an excellent explanation of the best ways to include a photo in your tweets, check out Adrienne Smith’s article: How To Use Images On Twitter And Why. [/note]
Privacy
If the idea of people tagging you in photos on Twitter makes you uncomfortable, you can adjust your settings to prevent this from happening or restrict photo tagging to be used only by people you follow. Unlike Facebook, where much of what you post may be accessible only to your friends, Twitter is mostly open to the wide, wide world.
Unless you change your settings, anyone on Twitter will be able to tag you in any photo.
If that sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, feel free to change your settings.
Changing your Privacy Settings
To change your privacy settings using your computer, go to
Twitter => Me
and click the Gear icon. A drop-down menu will appear. Choose
Settings => Security and Privacy
Scroll down to Photo Privacy. Your choices are:
- Allow anyone to tag me in photos
- Only allow people I follow to tag me in photos
- Do not allow anyone to tag me in photos
The default choice is the first one, allowing anyone to tag you.
If you want to change your settings, choose the one you want and click “Save changes” at the bottom of the page.
This change is rolling out slowly but if you want to change your settings, do it now before you forget. If you’re comfortable with being tagged in photos by anyone on Twitter, you don’t need to do a thing.
Your Thoughts
Are you excited about the Twitter news? Will you be adding multiple photos to a tweet? Have you tagged anyone in a Twitter photo yet? Will you be adjusting your settings to restrict tagging in Twitter photos? Let us know in the Comments section below!
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*Angry Baby photo by Trisha (edited)
Hey Carolyn
Some nice changes there. I am just starting to add more images in my posts.
Of course I would not send four at once, but it is good to know that it is useful for personal stuff and tagging people too.
They are learning from places like Facebook indeed
thanks for the update
ashley
Hi Carolyn,
I don’t like being tagged in photos. I untag myself on FB even! So thanks, I changed the settings on my accounts!
🙂
Lori
Hi Lori, Yes, being tagged in photos can be very unsettling. You hope it’s a flattering shot, but often it isn’t. What’s particularly concerning about Twitter’s move is that the default is to have anyone on Twitter be able to tag you in a photo.
I’m so glad you changed your settings, Lori!
Yes, why is the default set that way? 😮 We’re all in many different groups – personal, family, business and some photos don’t need to cross over from one group into another, let alone to a worldwide audience 🙂
Good point, Lori, the default setting reminds me of Facebook who generally makes the default setting sharing as widely as possible. But sharing on Twitter is broader than sharing on Facebook. On Facebook you can restrict your posts to a certain Group, or set of friends. But on Twitter what you tweet can be seen by the world. When you tag people in photos on Twitter, you had better be sure that the person being tagged will be pleased about the social sharing you’re doing.
Hmm .Thanks for the heads-up. I wish there was an option to give approval before a tag shows. I follow lots of people I don’t know, and if I checked the option for only people I follow, they could still label anyone or anything as being me! And yet if I choose no tagging, then I might miss photos that could be good for me if they are connected to me. What are you choosing?
Hi Rachel, You’re right, there is a potential for spam even if you only allow people you follow to tag you. But if you don’t follow spammers, you should have a lower risk of being tagged in an inappropriate photo by choosing the second option.
I agree with you, blocking all tagging does seem excessive. People could always mention you using your @TwitterID instead but then they have to use up their 140 characters.
I chose the second option. I feel comfortable trusting the people I follow in allowing them to tag me in photos. If they betray that trust, I can report them to Twitter and unfollow them.
Hey, even your friends on Facebook can post photos and tag you when you wish they hadn’t. Being online means that you can’t always create the perfect environment. All you can do is make sure your security settings are chosen carefully and that you’re comfortable with the risks you’re taking.
I hope you’re able to decide which setting you want, Rachel.
Disregard my question. I see you answered it here:)
Thanks for sharing this Carolyn! You and Lisa B must have been thinking alike this morning! I don’t know if I like the idea of multiple pictures so much. The more pictures, the more is going to clog up our feed AND it will be more like Tumblr. I don’t particularly like the idea of being tagged in photo’s either, especially with so many creepy tweeps out there 😉
I guess I’ll sit back and wait for the changes like everyone else. Like I mentioned on Lisa’s post, we either learn to like it or we bump it.
Thanks for sharing Carolyn!
Hi Bren, Yes, you can change your settings now, even if you haven’t gotten access to the new features. If you want to restrict tagging, be sure to change your settings right away before a spammer tags you.
That’s great Lisa had the same idea, this was big news for Twitter and the more people who are aware of this development the better!
I haven’t seen a collage in my Twitter feed yet so I don’t know whether I’ll like it or not. I do know that pictures in my Twitter feed do get my attention!
Hi Carolyn,
This surely IS news – I didn’t know about these changes! 🙂
There were talks about the changes coming to Twitter, but what about it, we never knew, but trust you to come up with the latest and let us know about it all.
I haven’t used any photos on Twitter so far due to lack of time, though I know they attract more people and are more clickable as well. And now if you can add more than one image – what more does one want!
I wouldn’t like to be tagged at all, because as you mentioned, unlike Facebook, anyone on Twitter can tag you through the images and that can be pretty annoying to get so many notifications, so I’d surely be checking out the privacy accordingly.
Thanks for sharing all of this with us. Have a nice weekend 🙂
I don’t care if anyone tags me, and I am in the photo. But what about spammers? What if someone posts a, let’s say, obscene photo and tags me? Yuck. I suppose then you just to report as spam, the same as you would do with a regular tweet.
Sounds like I should pick that second option (allow people you follow to tag you).
Thanks for making us aware of this new feature. Excited? No, not really.
Hi Leora, Yes, unfortunately spammers sometimes use obscene photos to get attention. You can report them and block them, the sooner the better.
You’re right, by restricting the ability of others to tag you, you have a better chance of keeping spammers away. So long as you don’t follow spammers, you should be safer with this option!
Carolyn I am very new to Twitter and have not yet dealt with some of the limitations or even been aware of them. Thanks for some very useful information. Given that one heeds your advice the developments seem very positive.
Hi Paul, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Yes, everyone should examine their privacy settings on Twitter to make sure its aligned with their preferences. No need to let Twitter decide for you when adjusting your settings takes just a few minutes.
I hope you enjoy your time on Twitter, Paul!
Thanks for this Carolyn:) Just changed my settings. Cheers! Kaarina
Hi Kaarina, I’m so glad you took care of changing your settings right away. As this change is rolling out gradually you have a chance to adjust your settings before the spammers get busy tagging you in photos!
Just curious. I debated between allowing tagging by people I follow vs. no tagging allowed. Which do you think is the better course of action?
I chose to allow tagging from people I follow. I try not to follow spammers so I have a comfort level with the people I follow that allows me to trust them with photo tagging. Each person must decide for themselves but that’s what I chose.
Thanks Carolyn, for this information… I have changed my settings too!
Hi Balroop, I’m glad you changed your settings right away. Best to do that now before everyone gets access to this feature.
I think its going to make Twitter more relevant! Yea, privacy concerns galore, but let’s say for a blog brand such as @wonderoftech, it helps to spread the word by tagging that twitter ID. I just hope that its not misused often for Twitter to shut down the feature. If put to good use, it can be a big help for businesses!
Excellent point, iRewardChart! This could be a bonus for businesses who could be tagged by happy customers in photos. Of course it could work the other way too though: http://mashable.com/2012/11/25/social-media-business-disasters-2012/#_
Businesses who want to grow their social media presence might appreciate the ability to have everyone be able to tag them in photos!
Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I’ve gone in and changed my photo sharing preferences to only people who follow me. Hoping that’s a good choice! Don’t like that unless you had shared this information, I would not have realized that change.
Hi Carol, That’s the option I chose too. I can’t see restricting all tagging as being ideal, but that may be what some want.
Yes, Twitter’s move seems to be along the lines of Facebook who has been known to keep you on your toes with their changes. That’s why I wanted to alert Wonder of Tech readers about this important change to Twitter so everyone could have the privacy settings that work best for them.
I’m so glad you went ahead and changed your settings, Carol. Very wise!
Hi Carolyn,
I’m traveling and tried to turn off photo tagging using Safari to access twitter on my iPad, but I can’t find that setting under the gear menu. Is twitter redirecting me to a mobile version somehow?
Hi Ann, Great question. Unfortunately these settings can only be adjusted on Twitter using your computer. Neither the mobile website nor the app allow you to change the privacy settings on Twitter. That may change in the future but for now, you’ll need to head to a computer to access the privacy settings for photo tagging.
Hi Carolyn,
I have been not so active on Twitter for several months. With all these changes going on I know I have to be on it. I miss being in Triberr and I am loving the changes.
Thanks so much for explaining how to “untag” myself. I just find it so annoying when it’s done on Facebook and now Twitter. Thank you so much for the heads up because I’m setting up my Twitter platform again.
I’m meeting with VA’s this week to choose one to handle this for me. And of course, I want to know what the heck I’m talking about. This information has helped so much.
I thank you,
-Donna
Hi Donna, Yes even those who are active on Twitter may not know about the changed to their privacy which is why I thought it was important to let Wonder of Tech readers know about this development. Changing your settings on Twitter takes just a few minutes but may save you from being embarrassed by nasty spammers.
Thanks for letting us know how this was helpful to you, Donna!
Hi Carolyn,
no one likes being tagged in photos either on Twitter or Facebook. I was searching for a way to stop that and now I’m aware of that (thanks for sharing). I’m heading towards changing settings on my Twitter account now. 🙂
Another good thing is that now we can get more space for writing tweet as @tagging will not cost us on the number of words. 😀
Hi Pawan, While sometimes it can be fun to be tagged in a flattering, fun photo, many times the experience is jarring. This feature can be used by spammers so I’m glad you have changed your privacy settings.
Excellent point, tagging will free up space in your tweets you can use for other characters. This is a benefit for people who want to use tags with their photos.
Hi Carolyn, I don’t like me being tagged in photos and I was missing this feature so badly in Twitter, finally they came up with some very good privacy settings. I will be waiting for all these new settings to be out soon. Thanks for sharing these amazing posts.
Hello Jack, Even though this feature is rolling out slowly, you can change your settings right now. No need to wait until you get this feature, you can find the privacy setting in your Twitter account immediately.
Thanks so much for your kind words and for taking the time to leave a comment, Jack!
Hi Carolyn,
We think alike again 🙂 I like some of the changes – not sure on the tagging yet. It’s like Facebook – once I got tagged a lot I changed my privacy settings so I could approve them or NOT before being tagged. It will be interesting to see how it goes on Twitter with that one. I think I’ll love the new photo features and the collage. It really can bring out some tweets. Thanks for sharing how to set the privacy settings. Have a great new week!
Hi Lisa, Yes, How great that we both covered the big Twitter news! You’re right, being tagged in a photo can be very unsettling, especially if you’re tagged by a total stranger. Taking the time to change your privacy settings may help you avoid unwanted tagging.
I haven’t seen any collages yet, but I’m excited when they start appearing on Twitter. Images in my Twitter stream really get my attention!
Twitter will actually have to watch not to make its service bulkier than what accounted for its original attraction. Seth Godin has some good examples in his (free) eBooks how simpler and more frugal can be more effective online. But Twitters founders are launching further platforms right now to address that conundrum. I’m waiting to see whether Twitter will be able to keep its almost second-to-none position. Typepad etc. were superseded by WordPress, LinkedIn, Xing etc. found their match in Facebook, going further back CP/M once ruled the operating system market for micro computers, then came MS Dos. The list goes on.
Hi Dermot, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! You’re right, Twitter has had massive success, even though it’s not the easiest social media site to use. There have been reports that Twitter’s growth has stagnated though so expect to see even more updates to Twitter features. Updates are fine, but not when the default privacy setting exposes people to being spammed.
Twitter’s competitor was supposed to be app.net but that site hasn’t caught fire yet the way Twitter has. Time will tell if app.net or another site gives Twitter some serious competition.
Thanks so much for sharing your insightful comment with us, Dermot.
I only like to be tagged Carolyn when they’re either sharing my content or they’ve mentioned me in something. If I’m in a photo with someone I don’t mind being tagged but I hate it when people tag me just to get my attention.
Luckily I haven’t had this happen with Twitter but I’ve changed my settings so at least I have to be following them in order for this to happen.
People abuse it unfortunately so I think this is necessary. Thanks for letting us know.
~Adrienne
Hi Adrienne, I completely agree. That has happened to me on Facebook where someone tagged me in a photo that had nothing to do with me just to get my attention. A quick “unfriending” took care of that problem!
Best to change your settings on Twitter before someone has a chance to misuse the tagging feature. Twitter is so very public that the potential for abuse in tagging is much greater.
I’m glad you took care of changing your settings, Adrienne. Better safe than sorry!
Hi Carolyn,
I’m still laughing about that cute picture. 🙂
I appreciate learning about photo tagging in Twiiter. I will take advantage up uploading more than one image to Twitter, for sure. It seems technology is advancing at such a fast rate with updates, it will be very interesting to see what the rest of this year brings.
Have a wonderful week!
Bill
Hi Bill, I look forward to seeing your collages on Twitter! In spite of the changes, I have yet to see anyone upload a collage on Twitter. I haven’t heard of any tagging in photos that has occurred either. These changes are still new so it may be a little while before people make use of them.
Hi Carolyn,
Wow, Twitter is doing some pretty cool things. I’m still learning how to work with Twitter so this sounds like it’ll be easier. The tagging sounds awesome where we don’t have to use up those precious 140 characters. I’ve always hated that about Twitter – I guess cause I’m long winded! 🙂 Anyway, thanks for the info. Look forward to the changes and trying them out.
Barbara
Hi Barbara, Yes, these changes to Twitter have the potential to make the experience much better for its users, so long as spammers don’t start tagging random people in photos. By changing your settings you can protect yourself from that possibility while still enjoying the new features.
Hey Carolyn,
Just about 3 minutes ago I found out about the changes that twitter is making. Although I’ve been on twitter for over 5 years, I haven’t been using it avidly like most people. Just last week I installed the twitter app to be more engaging and now they’re making all of these changes. The one change I like is turning of the tagging feature. I really don’t care for being tagged in photos by people I don’t know or just met. So I’m glad that they’re adding this change! But other than that, I’m just going to go with the flow on this one. Thanks for sharing Carolyn!
Hi Sherman, Yes, these changes to Twitter may make it easier to use but also have implications for our privacy. I hope you take the time to change your settings so you have the privacy you want on Twitter. Even if you don’t use Twitter a lot, you could be tagged in a photo by anyone on Twitter unless you change your settings. Changing your settings takes just a few minutes so the sooner you do it the better.
Hi Carolyn,
Yes, I am excited about these changes. Read about these on Lisa’s blog and then came to yours only to find the same update with a few more tips. Thank you for suggesting about the privacy setting’s changes. I just finished mine just to make sure I get less annoyance from photo tagging as you suspect it will 🙂
But these changes seem making Twitter even more interesting and engaging. Thank you for sharing this.
Regards,
Kumar
Hi Kumar, You’re right, these changes to Twitter could be helpful for us getting more information but annoying if we’re tagged in photos by spammers. Good that you changed your settings so that you can be protected while enjoying the benefits of these changes, Kumar.
Hi Carolyn
I think it is all good news from Twitter. It seems like a good idea to be able to tag people without waste any characters for that. The only concern might be the privacy, but Twitter have a solution for that as well. I just don’t hope that any spammers will take advantage of these new features. Thank you for the Twitter update Carolyn.
Hi Thomas, You’re right, if we can protect ourselves from spammers then the tagging feature of Twitter photos will come in very handy. We can use more of our 140 character allotment on the message and use tagging to alert others about the photo.
If we change our security settings then we make it tougher on spammers which is always a good thing!