Media Outreach

Twitter recently rolled out a new feature which allows users to make lists of their followers. These lists are available to their followers, who, if they wish, can follow the “list” rather than follow each individual tweeter.

If you’ve been added to a “list,” you will see a link on your Twitter profile showing the number of lists you’re on next to the number of followers you have.

So far, there’s no way to remove yourself from just a list. Once you’re on, you’re stuck.  Good or bad, you’re on someone’s list and it will show up on your account to all your followers.

At first, I thought this list feature was great- a way to make groups of people I think everyone should follow. Example: I created a group for the @mediaoutreach Twitter account for our favorite tweeters. I also created one that lists faithHighway staff, if anyone is interested in following individual staff members.

Then….it hit me…BOOM! What if I got out on “THE list”- the list that no one wants to be on…like…“People who pick their noses?” or “People I don’t like.” Then what do I do? I don’t want to be on THAT list…but there’s no way to get myself off.

There’s only one way to remove yourself from a list and that is by entirely blocking a user. With that in mind, once you block a follower, then:

1. You will no longer show up in their list.
2. Your tweets won’t show up in their timeline.
3. The blocked person won’t be able to follow you
4. The blocked person won’t be able to add you to any of their lists

So, while Twitter lists are new and groovy and make it nice to organize your followers for your followers, there’s something about the inability to just opt out of being on a particular list that sends a little shiver down my spine. I might want to follow someone, but just not be on a list.

Hopefully, the guys over at Twitter are working to make this a privacy option.

In the meantime…Have you created any lists? Or what are some of your favorite lists to follow?

Photo by Ursonate