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LinkedIn ( LNKD ) shares lost nearly half their value on the stock market today after the professional networker announced grim 2016 forecasts. Then a report that Twitter ( TWTR ) would radically revamp its service triggered outrage from core users. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey on Saturday denied major changes were imminent. Twitter can help make connections in real-time based on dynamic interests and topics, rather than a static social/friend graph. We get it. — Jack (@jack) February 6, 2016 That was in response to a late Friday Buzzfeed report that Twitter would adopt a new algorithmic timeline, as soon as next week. The new system would order tweets based on what Twitter thinks you want to see, rather than the current reverse chronological order. The goal would be to make Twitter more attractive to new and casual users so they can see more targeted tweets, eliminating the unwanted posts. It was unclear if Twitter would make the change optional or mandatory, Buzzfeed said. The latter would greatly upset power users such as journalists, who use the chronological timelime to spot and follow breaking news. Twitter was abuzz with angry posts Friday night and Saturday morning, with #RIPTwitter quickly trending and complaints that Twitter would be become like Facebook ( FB ). Twitter staff meeting: ‘Our stock is crashing. How do we fix Twitter?’ ‘Make the user experience worse every week?’ ‘Crazy enough to work!’ — Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) February 6, 2016 Facebook has used algorithms for years so people see posts from their favorite friends or sources. Facebook’s ongoing efforts have worked for the company, with more than one billion daily users — and still growing. Twitter’s growth, meanwhile has basically stalled, though revenue has swelled due to higher ad revenue and other monetization. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, since returning to the company late last year, has signaled a desire to shake up the company. Twitter reportedly is mulling an end to its 140-character limit on tweets. That’s another rumored move that would move Twitter in the direction of Facebook. LinkedIn also is going through a strategy shift. Late Thursday, LinkedIn reported better-than-expected Q4 earnings. But it gave 2016 revenue and earnings targets far below Wall Street views. Part of the reason was LinkedIn’s decision to shut its Lead Accelerator business, which had technology aimed at helping marketers better target prospects. LinkedIn said the project wasn’t worth the time and money, but analysts said they may have to rethink LinkedIn’s prospects. Twitter reports earnings on Wednesday, with analysts expecting a 48% revenue rise to $709.9 million, with earnings per share ex items flat at 12 cents. #SuggestedTwitterAlgorithims Posting “your an idiot” takes you to a grammar basics cheat sheet. — Renna (@RennaW) February 6, 2016 Twitter shares fell 7% on Friday to a record closing low. LinkedIn crashed nearly 44% to a 3-year low. Facebook skidded nearly 6% on Friday and more than 7% for the week, despite hitting a record high on Tuesday. Scalper1 News
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