In 2006, Jack Dorsey had an idea, and he called it Twitter. Since 2006 Twitter has grown in extreme popularity world-wide and is a remarkable development social networking, utilizing the web, text-messaging, and cell phone technology. In fact, by 2013 estimates are that Twitter will gain a total of one billion users.
With all of that Twitter chatter going on, it can be difficult to search Twitter, especially with over forty percent of tweets being what is termed by a San Antonio based market research firm as "pointless babble." Plus, let's not mention all of the self-promotion, spam, and conversational topics that those outside of the specific conversation may not actually be interested in.
How does one get through all of the Twitter chatter and find relevant data with searching Twitter then-because sometimes, a search on Twitter can be like looking for a needle in an intergalactic sized haystack.
Well, several Twitter applications exist such as TweetDeck and TwitterLocal. Online databases like Twitdom and Twtbase list a multitude of other Twitter apps that can help sort through all the tweets too and there are third-party Twitter directories. Directories from anything related to the Irish to the Ultimate List of Moms on Twitter exist.
However, one of best ways to search Twitter is probably from Twitter's own website. Here is a list of three search tips for Twitter that many people don't necessarily think about.
Dates
Tweets are limited to 140 characters-that's characters, not words, so even empty spaces between words are counted within the limit. Because of this limitation, people post an incredible number of short tweets almost on an hourly basis. Knowing the approximate date of tweet and save tons of time in searching Twitter.
In the Twitter advanced search option there is a date bar and an easy drop down menu allows you to select your date specific message.
Shared Links
When you search Twitter, and you are looking for something specific, keep in mind that many tweets can contain links to news information, articles, consumer products, people, and websites in general. Many of these "shared links" are retweeted-that is, Twitter users will send a link tweet on to other Twitter users.
In the people search section of the Twitter search function, type in the person's name who sent the shared link, use a key term in the keywords search section, and mark the box that states you only want tweets returned where the link was listed. If you add the date search from the Twitter search tip above, you'll only increase the likelihood of finding what you are looking for.
Attitudes
Attitudes are a really cool search Twitter feature that even Google never came up with. Twitter users can specify in a Twitter search for happy or sad, positive or negative tweets. If you want to skip the advanced search function of Twitter but still use the attitude search function, simply type a :) or a :( after the search term. For example, if you type pizza :), you'll find positive tweets about pizza. Type pizza :(, you'll get negative responses.
About the Author: MyWebGuyTaylor is an seo specialist from Santa Barbara, CA and founder of The Search Engine Pros.com. Taylor is actively involved in local humanitarian efforts in the Santa Barbara area (Greenpeace, Fonkoze Microloans, HUB.) and specializes in helping Non-Profits and Eco Friendly startups. Taylor has been providing web and search engine optimization services and advice for 11 years. Taylor can be reached at 800.605.4988 or by email taylor [ @ ] mywebguytaylor.com
Finding anything or anyone using Twitter can be a daunting task. So many people all over the world utilize Twitter, it's almost like a recreation of the Web, only more massive with millions and millions of miniature blog posts.
Social networking in an environment like that can offer some unique challenges! But, it is also fun, and worthwhile if done right.
To help fellow Twitter's in finding exactly the information they need or want people have designed what is known as a Twitter directory. There are all kinds of Twitter directories though: a geographically based Twitter directory, various celebrity Twitter directories, and Twitter business directories, to just name a few. There's even a Twitter directory that lists anything and everyone Irish related, and there are some very, very specifically tuned Twitter directories, such as the Twitter Directory of Learning Professionals (& Others) on Twitter and the Twitter directory of Book Trade People.
Here are a several categorized lists of Twitter Directories that can be a helpful start in Twitter searches.
General and Mainstream Twitter Directories
1. GeoFollow at geofollow.com: GeoFollow searches by city, state, zip, country, tag, name, username, keyword, and by a map. Because this Twitter directory lists people on a first come, first service basis and those who sign up first receive higher rankings, this may not be the best way to find relevant ranking tweets in this Twitter search.
2. WeFollow at wefollow.com: WeFollow lists tweets by interest. The site is smooth and simple to navigate.
3. The Ultimate Twitter Directory is based right here in Santa Barbara, CA http://tweetfind.com - Ask for Ruben and tell him Taylor sent you!
Geographically Based Twitter Directories
1. Loaded Web at www.loadedweb.com: Loaded Web services Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S. Loaded Web allows tweeters to find tweets who are as close as their own neighbors. Currently, the local directory lists 1300 tweets from the United States alone.
2. Local Tweeps at localtweeps.com: Local Tweeps is currently in its beta version, but does an excellent job of mapping Twitter profiles geographically.
3. Twellowhood: www.twellow.com/twellowhood Twellowhood is excellent for a local Twitter people finder. The service only services the U.S., Canada, and Australia right now, but plans are in the works to include additional countries.
City Based Twitter Directories
1. ChirpCity at chirpcity.com: ChirpCity is a local Twitter search that lists the latest tweets from and about individual cities.
2. CityTweets at citytweets.net: CityTweets currently has approximately 23 U.S. cities in their directory and tracks (near) real-time tweets from those individual cities
Twitr is an interest based Twitter directory, but users can also add city tags to their searches.
Business Twitter Directories
1. Analyst Twitter Directory: This is mainly a business directory of various industry analysts on Twitter.
2. Brands That Tweet This is a grouping of brand name Twitter accounts. The majority of the brand name Twitter accounts are not managed by the brands themselves.
3. C-Level Tweeters C-Level Tweeters is run by the same guy who does Brands That Tweet. The directory lists CEOs, CTOs, and CMOs.
About the Author:MyWebGuyTaylor is an seo specialist from Santa Barbara, CA and founder of The Search Engine Pros.com. Taylor is actively involved in local humanitarian efforts in the Santa Barbara area (Greenpeace, Fonkoze Microloans, HUB.) and specializes in helping Non-Profits and Eco Friendly startups. Taylor has been providing web and search engine optimization services and advice for 11 years. Taylor can be reached at 800.605.4988 or by email taylor [ @ ] mywebguytaylor.com
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