Los Angeles — In an attempt to deepen its presence across the Web, popular microblogging site Twitter appears to be trudging social media network Facebook’s footstep, today released a one-click “Follow Button,” a novel way for people to follow a Web site or an individual across third-party websites, adding a twist to the traditional RSS feed.
Instead of receiving a feed of articles, as RSS does, the company is launching the “follow” button feature that empowers users to quickly and easily sign up and follow specific Twitter users with 50 websites including CBS.com, Fox News, IMDb.com, MTV.com and Vanity Fair.
Earlier, a Twitter user would have to go through Twitter.com’s main page and then click “follow” to accomplish the same effect. The newly released button, allows users to instantly follow a specific Twitter account without having to visit the microblogging site and search for the desired account. The new button joins the tweet button, which shares specific content with Twitter users’ followers.
“For publishers and brands, supplementing the Follow Button to your website and using Twitter to stay connected with your audience is a powerful combination,” Dick Costolo, Twitter’s chief executive, said in a blog post.
People who follow your account are much more likely to retweet and engross with your Tweets, and would frequently visit your website. Adding the Follow Button to your website is quick and easy, and you can configure yours right now at twitter.com/followbutton, the company said.
Additionally, the microblogging magnate has also launched a tool that makes configuring and nesting the “Follow” button to sites quick and easy.
Twitter engineer Ryan Sarver tweeted:
Having a follow button is something that most sites already do, so that the addition is just Twitter’s way of standardizing the process. Besides, users who are not signed into Twitter will have to log in before the new account is added to their subscription list.
Twitter said it is unveiling the Follow button with more than 50 partners already on board and individuals. Among these are: AOL.com, About.me, All Time Low, Justin Bieber, bnet.com, Britney Spears, CBS Interactive, CBS News, cbs.com, cbssports.com, chow.com, cnet.com, CNNMoney, Condé Nast, EL PAÍS, Fox News, Fox Business, Fox Sports, Gameone.de, gamespot.com, Glamour, GQ, Greyson Chance, IMDb, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, LMFAO, MarketWatch, maxpreps.com, moneywatch.com, MTV.co.uk, MTV.com, MTV.de, Multimedios, mysimon.com, Radio.com, Ryan Seacrest, Shockwave.com, smartplanet.com, Sports Illustrated, techrepublic.com, Teen Vogue, TF1, The Huffington Post, The Telegraph, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Tr3s.com, tv.com, TVGuide.com, Vanity Fair, WAT.tv, Wired, WordPress.com, Yahoo! Local, and zdnet.com.
The announcement comes at a time when social media players are looking for additional real estate on web sites as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and soon Google push for space on publisher websites.