I’ve been through a whirlwind of frustration with my Twitter account. I had a search ban on my old account, but now it’s mysteriously lifted. It’s maddening how much time I’ve wasted trying to fix this. I’ve decided to start fresh with a new account, but now I’m stuck between the two, looking like a lunatic. The old account, which I’ve had since 2011, is filled with years of data, friendships, and connections. But over time, it got polluted with far-right and gender-critical accounts, turning my once-healthy account into a poisoned mess.
Twitter’s algorithms are mirrors of our behaviour, and if you follow certain people, you get their stink on you. It’s naive to think you can say whatever you want without consequences. Owen Jones’s recent comments about Gaza highlight this dilemma. He’s puzzled why people don’t speak up, but anyone paying attention knows there’s a cost to speaking your mind. These algorithms and AI systems parrot back our ideas and project our behaviour. They don’t understand nuance or irony; they just see patterns and signals.
I’ve always been honest and straightforward, both online and in real life. But over the years, I’ve been punished for it. My brand, built on integrity and truth, has suffered because of the way these platforms operate. I’ve had to mute and block countless accounts, unfollow people, and train my algorithm to avoid culture war content. Even the word “cunt,” a staple of my Australian vernacular, has to go if I want to maintain a healthy account.
The shift in digital strategy is clear: you can’t have it all. You need to decide what your priorities are. For me, I want to be able to run ads and get reach, but that means sanitising my content. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but necessary. I’ve had to look at my brand from a machine’s perspective, not a human one. It’s about signals and patterns, not common sense or context.
I’ve blocked Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and muted words like “crypto” and “Doge.” I’ve created lists of trusted accounts and trained my feed to show me content I actually care about. It’s improved my mental health and my relationship with Twitter. I use it as a scratch pad for my thoughts, not a platform for broadcasting polished content.
But it’s not just about me. Everyone needs to understand that these platforms are run by algorithms that can’t be reasoned with. You need to be smart and strategic about your online presence. It’s about setting boundaries and not being afraid to mute or block people. You don’t owe anyone a follow back or your time.
In the end, it’s about making calculated decisions. Speaking out on issues like Gaza is important, but you need to weigh the consequences. For most people, it’s not worth losing their reach and ability to speak out on future issues. It’s a harsh reality, but one we need to accept if we want to navigate these platforms effectively.
So, for now, I’m stuck between two accounts, trying to figure out the best way forward. It’s frustrating, but it’s part of the game. I’ll continue to share my experiences and insights, hoping it helps others navigate this complex digital landscape. Thank you for your patience and support. Let’s keep pushing forward, smarter and more strategic than ever.