Twitter unveiled it's new profile recently and the new twitter layout makes it more consistent with other social media such as Facebook, Google+ and even Instagram which all feature a large wide cover image across the top. That's not the only difference though.
I love the look of the whole profile, especially how all my important about information is featured to the left. I was excited to have a bigger canvas for a header image and whipped up a cover image for now that features who I am as well as all four of my main blogs. However I had some trouble with the resolution. You can see on my actual profile that the image doesn't look as sharp as it should. It looks right on my computer but when it's uploaded, twitter changes the resolution on me.
New Twitter Layout Features
- Larger cover image (1500x500 but not all of it is visible after upload (bottom cuts off) and the profile image covers part of it as above)
- Larger profile image (400x400)
- About information in left sidebar under image including join date
- Quickly see # of tweets, photos/videos, follower numbers and favourites. If you click on more you can see lists.
- Tweets that have received more engagement are shown in bigger font
- The ability to pin a tweet to the top of your feed to showcase it.
- The ability to view tweets only or tweets and replies.
What You Need to Know About the Header Image
I chose to go with an informational image but you may not want to do that as the image shows up differently in different places. I may be changing my header in the near future. When you are on the main twitter page, the layout is however you had it originally (I had chose this background before) and your header image shows up really small behind your face and cut off in the top left corner. Of course only you see this anyways.
On mobile your profile image has a different spot which makes my layout not look as good as a photograph or generic background would look. Keep this in mind when designing your image since many people access twitter from a mobile device.
What Does This Mean for Me?
New twitter profiles are rolling out over the next little while so if you don't have one yet, you will soon. Start giving some thought to your images now.
- Think about how you use favourite tweets right now. If you don't favourite any or favourite most tweets, you might want to reconsider. They are on display more so you might want to refocus how you favourite.
- Consider what tweet you might want to pin to showcase it. If you decide to pin a time sensitive tweet, make sure to come back to unpin it or your account will look out of date and like it's not important to you.
- Make sure your about section is up to date (and if you are a blogger, please consider adding that word to your bio. Many of us will follow a blogger at the drop of a hat but if you don't put it in your bio, we might miss that you are a blogger.)
Tell Me: Do you have the new profile yet? Do you like the look of it?
@akmamma says
Tip on the resolution, as it is with FB Twitter has changed their crunching on graphics. Upload it as a PNG and it should help!
Kathleen Garber says
Thanks I will try that!
Barb W. says
Thanks for the very helpful information! I don't have the new style yet, but feel better prepared now, for sure!
Jennifer says
Uh oh, I haven't even checked mine to see what it looks like!! Thanks for the heads up and letting us know what to check for!
Kathleen Garber says
I recommend checking your profiles on all social media once a month to make sure they still look the way you want them to.
Dominique C. says
I don't have the new one yet and I'm resistant to change lol. I didn't know about the updates with favorites, so thank you for pointing that out!
daisy says
Thanks for breaking this down. I need to head over and update my Twitter page to look more trendy!
Emily says
Oh what!? A blogathon!? So cool!!
Kathleen Garber says
Yup! Our next one is in June and signups will open up in a few weeks. If you sign up for the newsletter you will know when signups open.
Amy Desrosiers says
The new Facebook page looks like this twitter layout! My business page just changed, and it's nuts how similar they are now.
Kathleen Garber says
Yes it's like deja vu!
Kristen says
Don't have the new profile yet, but looking forward to some awesome!
Ellen Christian says
I haven't seen the new layout yet. I'm sure it's just a matter of time now.
Kathleen Garber says
Everyone will be getting the new profiles over the next little while so keep on the lookout.
Kayla @ TheEclecticE says
I've been seeing glimpses of Twitter's newest layout and I must say I do like it! Unlike the old layout the new layout lets you utilize a lot more like you mentioned above 🙂
Great informative post! I'm definitely going to start working on my header!
Jenn says
I just found out about the new Twitter header this morning. It's on my list of things to do next weekend when I am home!
Tammi says
Thanks for this, the new twitter was hard for me to get adjusted too. I still need to make a new header, so thanks for the dimensions! I love that you can pin a tweet now!
Kathleen Garber says
Yeah I think it's a good idea. I just have to remember to check what's pinned every now and then to see if I want to change it.
Clair says
Thanks for the really helpful tips! I don't tend to give Twitter as much time as I should but this will help!
Amber Edwards says
Oh my goodness, I just barely got use to the last Twitter layout. Man, things change too fast for me. lol. This is helpful though. I better focus more on what I favorite.
Kathleen Garber says
Yeah it is another change very quickly but I think this one is better.
Stacey Werner says
I don't seem to have the updated look yet. Why do they always have to keep changing them? I do like the look of it, but now I have to redesign... one more thing on the To-Do list!
Kathleen Garber says
Keeping up with Social Media changes can be tricky. Every platform introduces changes weekly! I'm glad I never got around to designing for the old one, saved me time. Good thing you are good at designing!
keikilanij says
Twitter is still a bit intimidating to me! This is so great! Hopefully I will be able to build my Twitter with this advice. Thanks!
Amanda A says
great tips. thanks for the info! I will come back to this post when mine changes!
Kelsey Apley says
I didn't pay attention! I am a tweet deck kind of girl, I barely actually go to twitter, hahah!
Pam says
The new twitter layout has definitely been confusing me! Thanks for the rundown.
Sandra says
I didn't even know there was a new one....agh! Thanks for all the advice/
Kathleen Garber says
You're welcome!
Debi says
Mine is still the old one, but I am excited for the new one
Krista says
I don't have anything new yet. But this will prepare me! Thanks!
Linette says
I saw the new layout today. It looks pretty cool to me! I'm sure it will be a bit odd at first.
Angela says
I don't have the new profile yet, but am looking forward to the changes.
Dawn says
Thanks for this! I am LOVING the look of the new Twitter! I am totally excited, can't wait for mine!
mamatomanyblessings says
LOL! I didn't even realize there was a new layout! Shows you how much I haven't been paying attention! I will have to play with it!
Nicole B says
I don't have the new profile yet. I hadn't even designed my old profile yet, but with this new one it seems I'll need to do something a bit more exciting. Thanks for the head's up on all the changes.
Liz Mays says
I'm looking forward to seeing how it looks when it rolls my way. I hate adjusting to these changes though. lol
Greta says
I was getting ready to redo my Twitter layout. I guess it's a good thing I waited.
MustHaveMoms says
Wow, this is going to take some getting used to! Thanks for sharing.
martha says
i don't have it (yet) so we'll see i guess, when they change me. i am usually on the later end of things
The New Classy says
I am not even sure which version mine is right now. That looks so much like Facebook though. I kind of liked Twitter the way it was.
npc23 says
I love it but, have had the same issue with the header. I really hope they can make something that will work with mobile and web versions.
francine says
I haven't seen the new layout yet but now I will know what I am in for. Thanks!
Marina says
I like that you can pin a tweet on top. Must try that today.