The Post About Muting People on Twitter

I'm celebrating 5 years on Twitter. That's one of the most committed relationships I've ever had with something that wasn't cheese. 

If you're not already tweeting, join us. It truly is my favorite thing on the Internet. Tied with cat videos.

And to get you started, I'll point you to my favorite go-to Beginner's Guide to Twitter by Michael Hyatt (@michaelhyatt).

For those of us already tweeting, the network rolled out a new feature this week: muting. Muting a user on Twitter means their tweets and retweets will no longer be visible in your home timeline.

The first question about muting is this:

@SarahMillerArt Fair question. For me, muting says "I really like you, but don't want to listen to you." Which is true for people IRL too.
— Jamie Golden (@JamiesRabbits) May 14, 2014

I'm southern and I'm always concerned with wrapping things "in pretty." An unfollow is prettier if it's just an anonymous mute. The real-life equivalent is hiding behind shelves of toilet paper to dodge people you know in Wal-Mart.

What other reasons might you mute someone? Why might you end up being muted? I asked Twitter and it answered. Here's a sample of the responses that are good lessons for Facebook too. Let's pay close attention.

@JamiesRabbits Over-tweeting. Complaining. Negativity. Over-critical.
— Ashley Beaudin (@ashleybeaudin) May 14, 2014

Note: Posting more than 10-15 times each day is a lot (not counting replies). Step away from your computersmartphonetablet and pluck your eyebrows. Or parent your children.

@JamiesRabbits annoying retweets, too many NSFW tweets
— Melissa (@MelFin80) May 14, 2014

@JamiesRabbits Bad hair.
— Tracey Reid (@dietcokeluvr) May 14, 2014

@JamiesRabbits to keep myself from sinning. ie Judging mercilessly.
— Rachel Callahan (@ObjectivityRach) May 14, 2014

Note: I mute folks who post pictures of their feet for the same reason. 

@JamiesRabbits I mute for too many negative tweets, retweets or political opinions unless I don't know them personally then I unfollow.
— Liz Harrison (@liz_harris0n) May 14, 2014

@JamiesRabbits permanently: their posts annoy me but I can’t unfollow them bc i know them IRL. temporarily: spoilers or twitter “chats”
— Laura McClellan (@laura_mcclellan) May 14, 2014

@JamiesRabbits I mute if someone does nothing but solicit or repost. Especially when they take over my feed with it.
— Redhot Writing Hood (@red_writinghood) May 14, 2014

@JamiesRabbits People who only tweet crap designed to motivate me to be a better anything.
— Joseph Kinnaird (@JWKinnaird) May 14, 2014

Note: Joseph cannot be motivated. 

@JamiesRabbits millions of hashtags, especially political. consistent argumentative trash talk. consistent jesus juking.there may be more
— Lauree Ashcom (@LaureeAshcom) May 14, 2014

Note: Even Jesus wouldn't Jesus Juke himself.

@JWKinnaird @JamiesRabbits Posts volatile things + combative when opposing views come up. Rude, racist, sexist, ablilist, threatening. . .
— Ben Hamaker (@HamakerBen) May 14, 2014

@JamiesRabbits Endless selfies. (Stop the vanity! You look the same every time! We get it, you like how you look!)
— Dawn Reiss (@dawn_o_mite) May 14, 2014

Note: What if I change my hair part? Can I keep posting then?

@JamiesRabbits mompreneurs
— Jan Moyer (@moyermama) May 14, 2014

@JamiesRabbits Too many complaints, they RT compliments with 'thx' added, too many baby pics, too many grammatical/spelling errors...
— Jaklyn (@iamjakz) May 14, 2014

Note: Be better than retweeting compliments.

@JamiesRabbits I tend to mute people who tweet rapid fire using hashtags that appear unintelligible/insider club.
— Mandy Shunnarah (@fixedbaroque) May 14, 2014

Note: Tweet using the hashtag #citbh and you'll be in my new secret club.

@JamiesRabbits I mute “twitter parties” - so obnoxious - defeats the purpose for the advertiser
— Stephanie  (@plainchicken) May 14, 2014

Note: Twitter parties are not better than real parties. Because dips.

@JamiesRabbits sports rivalries. I mute certain people during football season.
— Molly Gentry (@mollsabeth) May 14, 2014

Note: Roll Tide.

Follow me on Twitter: @jamiesrabbits. I promise to only be worthy of muting 5% of the time.

Why do you mute or unfollow someone on social media?