Social networking platform Twitter is launching a new feature dubbed the ‘Twitter Circle’ – a new tool that allows users a new way to share Tweets with a smaller, restricted group of people on the platform.

With Twitter Circle, people will now have the flexibility to choose who can see and engage with their content on a Tweet-by-Tweet basis. This means that users can have more intimate conversations and build closer connections with a smaller crowd.

The beta version was tested in a small feedback group in May, allowing users to create personalised tools that empower people to tailor how, when and with whom they engage.

Starting today, this feature will be available on iOS, Android, and Twitter.com globally.

Selecting your Circle

Before posting a Tweet, people will now see the option to share it with their circle or full followers list; similar to Instagram’s “Share Story” feature.

Up to 150 people can be added to a Circle, and this list can be adjusted at any time with no one notified of any changes made.

Tweets sent to one’s circle will appear with a green badge underneath them. These Tweets can only be seen by those selected in one’s circle and cannot be Retweeted or shared. Additionally, all replies to circle Tweets are private, even if the user’s account is public.

More info on creating a Twitter Circle is available here.

Personalising your Twitter experience

Twitter Circle is a new means to ensure that users have the choice, control, tools, and transparency to join a private conversation with one another.

Giving people the option to share their thoughts with a select group of followers helps make Tweeting more personalised.

This is true for brands that are new to Twitter or users that have millions of followers. Since the feature began testing, people have been sharing how it’s helped them personalise their Twitter experience, including:

• Feeling more comfortable Tweeting and expressing themselves
• Eliminating the need for alternate or secondary accounts
• Sharing content with a close and evolving group of friends
• Avoiding toggling between protected and public account setting

Some results from the Twitter Circle test include:

• Increased overall Tweeting (both within and outside of circles)
• Increased Tweet engagement rate on circle Tweets (likes and replies)

Twitter is also committed to incorporating feedback from trusted partners and online safety experts, including the Twitter Trust & Safety Council, into the products and features it builds.

These groups regularly emphasise the importance of online customisation tools in helping people express themselves freely online.

What’s Next?

Those who want to try Twitter Circle can now compose their first Circle Tweet here. Twitter will continue to observe how the Twitter Circle is working and explore ways to make it even better.

However, everyone’s preferences are different, so Twitter will continue to roll out features and tools that enable people to use Twitter on their own terms.