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What happens if I hit a Twitter limit?
I hit a Twitter limit; what does that mean, and what do I do?
I’m curious
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The best answer from the company
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What does it mean?
If you hit a Twitter limit, it means you've exceeded the maximum number of times allotted to perform a given action on Twitter. In other words, you can only do things so many times before you have to take a break.
What are the limits?
We're starting with a few limits based on various parameters, and we'll be adding more as time goes on. We reveal some limits only when you reach them, and tell you about others in advance. Twitter applies limits to any person who reaches:
* 1,000 total updates per day, on any and all devices
* 250 total direct messages per day, on any and devices
* 70 API requests per hour
* Maximum number of follow attempts in a day
Follow limits are based on several things, one of which is our belief in a person's good standing and intention. The behind-the-scenes portion of follow limiting varies by account, relationship, and changes over time.
Based on current behavior in the Twitter community, we've concluded that this is both fair and reasonable. While we figure out what works best for everyone, the limits may change occasionally, but this is the nucleus and future limits will be based upon the success of these.
How will I be affected by the limits?
People using multiple API clients at once may see the per hour API request limit, as usual. Aside from that, most people will not be affected. If you do reach a limit, we'll let you know, and after 24 hours from the last action, the limit is automatically removed.
Why Twitter Limits?
Starting with 140 characters per update, Twitter has always been about limits, embracing the idea that constraint inspires creativity. The new limits do not restrain reasonable usage, and thus, will not affect most people. We do, however, hope to discourage unreasonable usage that alarms the people affected by it. These limits also alleviate some of the existing strain on the invisible part of Twitter: fewer robots and whales.
I'm not satisfied!
If you think you've reached a limit unfairly or you have a legitimate dispute, please contact Twitter support and explain your situation: support or help @ twitter.com.
I’m so excited, and I just can't hide it.
The company and 5 other people say
this answers the question
Due to volume, only the 15 most recent replies are being displayed
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Inappropriate?One limit you mention is "70 API requests per hour." What is "API," esp as it applies to Twitter? I'm new to all of this and quite "green" re all-things-tech. Many thanks.
I’m confused
1 person says
this answers the question
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Inappropriate?API is an "application programming interface" - typically how computer programs talk to servers or to each other.
What it means for you is - if you were to use Twitter via a client software program, something like TweetDeck.com, you can only "ask" twitter for information and updates around one time per minute.
If you're just using twitter via the web or text messaging it is not something you'll have to pay attention to.
Good luck on Twitter. Whats' your twitter name so we can follow you?1 Comment Add a comment
This answers the question
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forgot to include my twitter name, as you suggested. it is mdraznin -
Inappropriate?thanks for the quick answer. also happy you mentioned tweetdeck and other client programs. i've been testing out a few - twitterific, twitterberry and tweetdeck - in the hope of learning more and figuring out my real needs/preferences. (fyi, i find the UI on twitterific frustrating and clunky.) one Q about those: do actions i take, eg, favorite-ing, deleting, etc., on one client, automatically show up on the others?
I’m excited
1 Comment Add a comment
This answers the question
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You find Twitterrific clunky? Try Twhirl. It redefined clunky.
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Inappropriate?my mistake - i meant to write that i find twitterberry clunky, particularly in terms of UI. i'll keep what you wrote in mind before considering a test of Twhirl! thanks.
I’m thankful
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Inappropriate?WHITELISTING is not available to non-developers. Per Twitter:
RBLevin:
Thanks for requesting to be on Twitter's API whitelist.
Unfortunately, we've rejected your request.
Here's why:
Apologies, but whitelisting is only for developer use.
Please address the issues above and submit another request if appropriate.
Thanks for your interest and good luck!
I’m annoyed and excluded from the elite
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This answers the question
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Did you even mention _why_ you were requesting it? If so, they should have told you how to make a proper request for whatever your problem is. However, if your only goal is to read what they have to say, and their accounts are public, I do not see how it is any different to follow them on the site versus subscribing to their twitter feed in an RSS reader. I see no difference at all.
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Inappropriate?I got a message telling me I exceeded the hourly limit, maybe its down to refreshing but how can you have conversations with people if you are watching how often you refresh? 100 seems way too low.
I’m annoyed
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This answers the question
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No problem for most people. You might be looking up profiles or something else.
If you use a Twitter client application you will not see the limit issue very often if at all. Itweet.net, hahlo.com are two that you can try. The only time I ran into limit issues was when using TweetDeck. -
No problem for most people. You might be looking up profiles or something else.
If you use a Twitter client application you will not see the limit issue very often if at all. Itweet.net, hahlo.com are two that you can try. The only time I ran into limit issues was when using TweetDeck. -
I was using the web, what about twhirl?
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Inappropriate?I've been unable to follow anyone who's following me... usually if someone follows me, I will follow back. I have not been able to do so in the past few days. It's PISSING ME OFF. I want to be able to interact with people - start a conversation, share important information, etc.
So I'm moving my unsatisfied Twitter-butt over to http://www.tiseme.com
You can share whatever the hell you want and follow whomever you want - start a conversation and join in a conversation. The CEO even joins in on the conversation. It's all about customization and being involved with the users and making them happy. Why try to be a company with limits - I swear, once folks get BIG their attitudes change. Get with it - it's the users that drive your applications...dissatisfy your users and they will ultimately leave, slowly yet surely.
I’m UNSATISFIED with Twitter's Stupid Limits - You should've stopped at 140 characters.
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This answers the question
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You do not understand Twitter. 140 characters is mostly so people can use SMS on a phone.
The follow limit is only an issue when you are following a lot more than are following you.
You can easily have conversations with people who you are not following if you want to do so.
Reduce the number of people you follow who have no interest in following you. If they are not interested in following you it says something. -
John Corey, you have hit the nail on the head. "tise me" sounds exactly like what Elle wants, to be able to adverTISE to people. If they are not interested in being advertised to (but are too lazy to block, which I am sometimes when I get too lax) then they won't follow back.
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Inappropriate?Elle, I agree with you because of the limits, I have now left twitter, I can't be bothered with their pathetic limits anymore
I’m annoyed
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Inappropriate?Thomas - isn't that what Twitter is for? For individuals, businesses, products, services, etc to advertise - whether it be a short 140 character post of "what are you doing" given we post short urls that directs us to what we're reading or wanting to share? It's like DIGG on crack. My twitter followers follow me because I share information based on what I do for a living - the same information in which they are interested in based on finding me through twitter search or any of the other twitter apps or by an @ reply to someone they follow because of the conversation we're having... twitter has taken off like a speeding bullet train and i think they're finding it hard to control, monetize, etc... it's taken a life of its own thanks to mainstream media. Not everyone uses it for SMS purposes and the ones that do actually regulate who they follow so they won't get bombarded with messages. I however, shut those alerts off and don't use SMS -- I do however, create a rule in Outlook (email) for incoming twitter messages. I really think Twitter should cut the follow limits and put the task / responsibility on the users of who they want to follow and unfollow without it becoming some sort of political thing where it's pissing users off. They should focus on the real spammers - the ones that post the same message 24/7 like it's the red light district...
I’m crash overdrive.
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Inappropriate?hey in just half a day i was suddenly mass un-followed on twitter.. about 30 people unfollowed me suddenly.. Can someone tell me why it happened?
I’m annoyed
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This answers the question
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There's a blogpost on Twitter's Status blog that talks about this. See this link for more info.
