One way to keep track of certain Twitter accounts, and curate a special Twitter feed of posts and images from those accounts, is to use Twitter lists. You can create grouped lists of Twitter accounts using lists, but they do have some problems. If you want to know how to set up and use Twitter lists, here’s what you’ll need to do.
What Are Twitter Lists?
To help you curate custom Twitter feeds, you can create Twitter lists based on your interests or topics. These collect tweets from certain Twitter accounts and present them in easy-to-access lists for you to view. For example, if you wanted to see technology news from various journalists, you could create a list showing this. You can follow existing Twitter lists (created by others) to view these collected tweets. Or, if you’d prefer, you can create your own. It isn’t an entirely private matter, however. If you add users to a list, they’ll be informed and can remove themselves. The same applies if you’re added to a list by somebody else, too. The more Twitter accounts you follow, the harder it is to keep track of the different topics and tweets you’ll see. However, Twitter lists allow you to deal with this problem. So, if you’re struggling to see tweets from the right accounts, you can follow or create a Twitter list instead.
How to Find and Follow a Twitter List
If you’re looking to find and follow existing Twitter lists, you can do so via the Twitter website or the mobile Twitter app for Android, iPhone, and iPad users. You can only find lists that are “recommended” to you by Twitter’s algorithm using the discover new lists feature. This feature is generated based on your interests, your current followers, and other data that Twitter collects (such as likes). If you don’t like any of your recommended lists, you can follow lists shared directly by other list creators.
On PC or Mac
On Mobile Devices
How to Create a Twitter List and Add Users
Twitter list recommendations will vary. And since it isn’t possible to search for lists manually, they may prove to be unsatisfactory. If you’d prefer to create your own, you can, but only if it doesn’t breach Twitter’s terms of service in any way.
On PC or Mac
On Mobile Devices
How to Leave a Twitter List
Unfortunately, you can’t restrict the Twitter lists feature, meaning anyone can add you to a list at any point, even if your profile is private. The only way to stop this and leave a Twitter list that you’ve been added to is to block users who create the lists, as this will prevent them from adding (or re-adding) you to lists they create. Once blocked, the user won’t be able to view your profile, tag you in tweets, or add you to new lists. You’ll be removed from any list they created and the user will be prevented from adding you to any other lists afterward. If you’re only following a list, however, you can leave it in the usual way by accessing the Lists menu, opening the list, and selecting Unfollow.
Using Twitter Safely
Twitter lists are just one way to personalize the Twitter experience, but they can be abused. If you’re worried about your online safety and privacy, don’t be afraid to hide your Twitter profile or change your Twitter handle for greater anonymity if you need to. If you’re facing abuse, you can block Twitter users disrupting your experience and report the worst offenders to Twitter for investigation. Of course, Twitter isn’t for everyone, so if you want to try another platform, you can try plenty of Twitter alternatives instead.
