Trends Report

Twitter Automatic Messages: Easy But Dangerous

Poorly Used Auto DMs Decrease Affinity And Engagement On Twitter

December 6th, 2010
AR
Augie Ray
With contributors:
Emily Riley , Jennifer Wise

Summary

The ability to send automatic direct messages (auto DMs) to new followers is not built into the Twitter platform, and for good reason. While some brands and people use third-party tools to send auto DMs that welcome, acknowledge, or market to new followers, these generic messages encourage a significant portion of recipients to unfollow. Although there are very rare cases when auto DMs may fit a specific strategy, marketers must use tactics that build trust, attention, and advocacy rather than encouraging Twitter defections.

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