Twitter turns stars into hearts as Favorites become Likes

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Twitter and Vine received a small change Tuesday, November 3, turning the star icons that used to be Favorites into a heart icon, which will now be called a Like.

You can say a lot with a heart. Introducing a new way to show how you feel on Twitter: https://t.co/WKBEmORXNW pic.twitter.com/G4ZGe0rDTP

— Twitter (@twitter) November 3, 2015

 

According to a post by Twitter product manager Akarshan Kumar, the reasoning behind the change was to make things less confusing as users “might like a lot of things, but not everything can be your favorite.”

The company added the heart “is a universal symbol that resonates across languages, cultures and timezones,” allowing users to express more with the same single character.

This change has brought about an array of emotions and apprehensions from Twitter users:

Twitters new heart was met by some excited netizens:

I’m liking the new #TwitterHeart. If there’s anything we need more of on #Twitter, it’s spreading some love. ❤️’s to you all!

— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) November 3, 2015

I, for one, love the hearts. Give me yours. ❤️ #TwitterHeart

— Nurse Sweet (@NurseSweet) November 3, 2015

Twitter get rid of ⭐️, replace it with ❤️! Nice touch, I guess it’s more appealing now #twitterheart #twitterdesign pic.twitter.com/AQBkVt47f9

— Stef Ivanov (@stefUIUX) November 3, 2015

While others were none too happy with the change:

A message for #TwitterHeart… pic.twitter.com/9Owc3BPkZd

— Chris Chamberlin (@popculturechris) November 4, 2015

What is this #TwitterHeart crap… I liked my ⭐️⭐️⭐️

— EricDraws (@EricBoireau) November 4, 2015

I’m confident that #TwitterHeart is an evil growth-hack scheme plotted to increase use of Retweets. Working already for me.

— Kristian Luoma (@kluoma) November 3, 2015

Some Twitter users see this new feature as an opportunity to develop deeper connections on this fast-paced platform:

I SEE YOU GAVE ME A HEART ON THE TWITTER, YOU ARE NOW CONTRACTUALLY BOUND TO LOVE ME.

— It’s Stephanie (@Snarfernini) November 4, 2015

My thoughts, because I know you were wondering: not a fan of #TwitterHeart . It seems to express a stronger fondness than I want to convey.

— Allen Wallace (@allenwallace) November 4, 2015

I just hearted all over someone’s timeline and I don’t really even know them. I feel gross. #TwitterHeart pic.twitter.com/cySmXJFjWO

— Rantdog.com (@Rantdog) November 3, 2015

This Twitter heart thing will just lead to misinterpretations and mixed signals. Dadami ang aasa.

— Hon. (@attyjong) November 4, 2015

This new Twitter Heart is too much of a commitment. Your tweets are cool and everything but I’m not ready to love them. They aight tho.

— Gabourey Sidibe (@GabbySidibe) November 3, 2015

Some brands have even taken this opportunity to share the love.

Love, love, love Twitter has switched out the "star" for the "heart." #Humancare pic.twitter.com/aPuLLdjRKb

— Seton Healthcare (@setonfamily) November 4, 2015

Using a heart as an icon……REALLY CLEVER @twitter!!!! Just kidding, we’ll share the heart with you! ❤️

— iHeartRadio (@iHeartRadio) November 3, 2015

Whether they like the heart or the star, there is one change Twitter users have been clamoring for that never seems to be heard:

I don’t mind the #TwitterHeart, but I think a #TwitterEditTweetButton is a better thing to add.

— Danica Kojadinovic (@ISF_Puppyluv3r) November 4, 2015

Please Twitter!!! replace that ❤️ to . And put an EDIT on our TWEETS. Thank you! @twitter #TwitterHeart #TwitterHeartsAreWorstIdeaSince

— Erika Santos (@erererika14) November 4, 2015

Twitter has time to change the star into a heart which is actually ugly ok but has no time creating an edit button for embarrassing typos

— 아이~ (@seultaengstal) November 3, 2015

Tell us where you stand on the Heart vs Star issue by voting on this poll:

Twitter has a new update! Do you prefer the #TwitterHeart over the #TwitterStar?

— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) November 4, 2015

The change will be available for Twitter on iOS and Android, Tweetdeck, Twitter for Windows 10, and on Twitter.com. It will also show on the Vine Android app and website, with Vine for iOS and Twitter for Mac coming soon. 

What changes would you like to see on your favorite social media platforms next? Tell us about them on X! – Rappler.com