People who repeatedly and actively use Twitter may have faced Twitter’s less known restrictions, named “Twitter jail.” Many users are unaware of this and may face some limitations on their specific actions on Twitter.
This article will help you know what Twitter jail is. We will describe how you can avoid and get out of Twitter’s Jail by following simple rules.
What is Twitter Jail?
Twitter jail term collectively represents the limits Twitter places on the Twitter accounts and API requests from all the third-party apps. When users exceed the limits set on the number of tweets, direct messages, and followers added, they will land in Twitter jail.
Twitter has set these limits due to the following reason-
- To curb the activities of spammers.
- To reduce back-end stress on its programs and error pages.
- To limit the number of API requests received in a day.
- To enhance its user’s experience and protect them from spammers.
Does Twitter Jail Still Exist?
Yes, Twitter still exists. Especially marketers who use Twitter too much encounter these restrictions frequently. Brands may lose the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns when Twitter frequently finds them in its jail.
These limits include activities from various devices, like web, phone, mobile, API, etc. Twitter may temporarily reduce these limits during times of its heavy site usage.
How Do You Know You Are in Twitter Jail?
If you hit the limit, Twitter informs you by displaying an error message on your screen. The message will include what type of limit you have hit on Twitter. If you try to post a tweet or direct message, you won’t be able to.
How Can You End Up In Twitter Jail?
It’s essential to understand which of your activities land you in Twitter jail, so you can avoid doing them in the future.
Tweeting Too Often
Twitter allows posting only 2400 tweets in a day. This limit includes retweets. Twitter breaks down the everyday update limits into smaller ones for semi-hourly gaps. Once you hit this limit, Twitter sends the warning message and stops you from tweeting for that day. Posting many updates signals to Twitter that a particular account is spamming. It may create a negative account image in Twitter’s AI subconscious mind.
Direct Messages
Like tweets, Twitter limits users to sending 1,000 messages in a day. Twitter finds no valid reason to send so many messages in a day until spamming others.
How to Get Out of Twitter Jail
Here are some practical techniques to help you get out of jail.
Understanding Twitter Limits
First, read all the twitter limits and obey them.
- Start by obeying the restriction of 2400 tweets per day. This contains retweets & links. Don’t hit this limit.
- Reduce your limits of direct messages to less than 1000 messages per day.
- Don’t tweet the same content. If Twitter detects you are frequently retweeting the same content and links, You can end up in jail for many days.
- Restrict the number of links you add to your tweets. Tweeting external links sends a red signal to spam accounts.
- Change your account’s email address only 4 times per hour.
- Avoid engaging in the aggressive following of Twitter accounts. Twitter allows users to follow only 400 accounts in a day.
- Once you hit the total follower of 5000 accounts, limit following more for some time. Twitter limits the further follow attempts by account-specific ratios.
Getting Out of Twitter Jail
You can take the following steps to get out of Twitter jail.
- Wait for a day.
- Ensure you aren’t in grave violation of additional Twitter rules. Visit this link to read the rules – http://support.twitter.com/entries/18311.
- Avoid tweeting from multiple devices – As Twitter has set API limits to restrict the interactions among software and applications with its website. People who frequently use third-party Twitter apps end up in Twitter jail faster.
- Contact to Email Twitter Support. When your account does return to regular, probable chances are Twitter has identified your account as spam. Send an email on twitter.com/support including your account name & detailed problem. Twitter’s team will conduct their investigation; if found not-guilty, they will lift the restrictions. They can issue you an apology.
Managing Your Tweets
The activities you perform have a direct connection to you facing restrictions.
- Reduce the number of tweets and retweets you post. Twitter has placed reasonable limits on personal tweeting.
- Create more Twitter accounts. Create additional accounts if you believe you can’t limit the tweeting. Link them with this one. Divide the tweets between these accounts. You can direct followers to other accounts already following you on the previous one.
- Stay aware that blog tweeting can result in posting duplicate content on Twitter.
- Be particular with choosing Twitter clients. Decide whether you want to utilize your phone, computer, or blog and adhere to that specific client. Reducing the number of clients helps you stay within the API request limits. You can avoid going to jail.
- To reduce direct message limits, use other communication mediums such as emails and text messages. Direct messages limit reach fast while anyone uses them for conversation for their business. You can communicate with your close friends on other mediums.
How Long Do You Stay in Twitter Jail?
For time-based limits such as tweets, direct messages, API requests, and email account changes, you can try again when the time limit elapses. You will be able to tweet until the next day. The same is the case for direct messages and following accounts.
Twitter has not specified how much a user needs to wait when hitting the account-specific following ratios of 5000 accounts.
Conclusion
Twitter Jail temporarily stops your account for excessive actions that it considers spam. Make best efforts to avoid this jail as it can immensely affect a person’s online marketing measures and reputation.
If you continuously end up in Twitter jail, This can result in your account suspension. All your hard work of months or years will be wasted.
