Ever since Twitter launched, users have asked for an option to edit their tweets. The idea sounds nice, in theory. But it could also cause problems, hence the company's decision not to introduce one.
While an edit feature looks like it's out of the question, Twitter might be working on another potentially useful feature: an undo option.
Would having an undo button appease those who have been calling for an edit option? And is it going to avoid other problems that an edit button would cause? Keep reading to find out.
What Has Twitter Said About an Edit Button?
In a January 2020 Q&A with WIRED Magazine on YouTube, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey was asked about the possibility of introducing an edit feature that year. He answered with a resounding no.
Dorsey noted that Twitter started as an SMS service, and the company wanted to "preserve that vibe". He acknowledged that the platform has since evolved and that an editing window has also been considered.
But then, the co-founder said that he'll "probably never" introduce an edit function.
What Problems Could an Edit Button Cause?
The major reason Twitter users want an edit button is to fix typos in their tweets—especially when a tweet has already started garnering likes. But the feature would bring a few problems with it.
First and foremost, an edit button might impact Twitter's instantaneous nature. Editing buttons work on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram because the platforms have a different feel to Twitter.
Besides its real-time nature, another coveted Twitter feature is the Retweet function. If a user retweets a post onto their feed, but the user edits the content an hour later, what they shared could be taken entirely out of context.
It's also important to remember that many online users are suspicious about online misinformation and fake news. Granted, Twitter has taken steps to combat false information with Birdwatch in recent months. But editing tweets would make it easy for users who choose not to research claims to spread fake content.
Once they're ready to make amendments, their post could have been viewed by thousands—if not millions—of users. And by that point, it would be too late anyway.
Tying in with two of the above points, Twitter has a lower character limit than LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Therefore, editing tweets would be much faster, and misleading content would go further in a quicker time scale.
There's also the potential for trolling. Someone could get a message spread through Retweets, only to later alter the tweet to something completely different.
How Could the Undo Button Work?
Despite Dorsey's reluctance to add an edit button to Twitter, he has acknowledged in the past that some kind of editing tool would probably be useful. And the undo option, which could come soon, might be the best users will get.
On March 5, Jane Manchun Wong—an app researcher and technology expert—tweeted an animation of how the Undo feature might work.
Users would have a short window to undo your tweet before it goes live.
If you select this option, you'd be able to alter your spelling. You could also change incorrect links if you've made an error.
The only drawback is that you can't see what you've posted behind the undo button overlay. So, if you didn't notice anything before the window closed, you'd still need to delete what you posted and start again.
And if you notice a typo five minutes later, when you've already started getting likes and Retweets, you still won't be able to fix that.
Undo Button Could Bring Some Relief
An undo button on Twitter would allow users to make changes to grammatical errors, which is the main reason users want to see this feature included. A short window would also help Twitter preserve its real-time vibe and make it more difficult for users to spread misinformation.
While it brings some relief and avoids the problems of an edit button, it isn't a cure-all.
Even if the rumored undo button is launched, it pays to spend a few seconds looking over your post for errors before sending it. And to stop the spread of fake news, question and verify all information you see before resharing.