How to use Twitter

NelsonG · September 21, 2021

Ready to start getting tweets right from the source, but not sure where to start? We've got you covered.

We've created a guide to answer all your burning questions about how to use Twitter from how to send a DM to how to schedule a tweet. By the time you finish this article you'll be a Twitter expert.

Follow the steps below to learn how to use Twitter.

How to create a Twitter account

1. Go to Twitter's website

2. Select how you want to sign up. Your options are via Google, Apple, phone number, or email and follow the steps. We will walk you through how to sign up with phone number or email.

Choose how you want to set up your Twitter account. Credit: screenshot: twitter

3. Enter your information. Then select "Next."

Once you enter your information, select "Next." Credit:

4. Twitter will send you a text or email to verify your account

5. Verify your account by clicking the link Twitter texted or emailed you

6. Customize your Twitter! You'll be prompted to fill in fields about your interests, who you'd like to follow, and what you'd like your @name to be.

How to make your Twitter account private on desktop

Choosing to "Protect your Tweets," also known as "going private," might be for you. It means your posts and info will be visible only to followers, and that prospective new followers have to get your permission first.

1. Go to the Twitter website

2. Select "More" on the right hand side of the screen

Select "More." Credit: screenshot: twitter

3. Select "Settings and privacy"

Select "Settings and privacy." Credit: screenshot: twitter

4. Select "Audience and tagging"

Select "Audience and tagging." Credit: screenshot: twitter

5. Select "Protect your Tweets"

Select the box next to "Protect your Tweets." Credit: screenshot: Twitter

How to make your Twitter account private on the app

1. Open the Twitter app

2. Swipe right anywhere and a menu will come from the left side of the screen

3. Tap "Settings and privacy" at the bottom of the screen

Select "Settings and privacy." Credit: screenshot: twitter

4. Tap "Privacy and safety"

Select "Privacy and safety." Credit: screenshot: twitter

5. Tap the white circle next to "Protect your Tweets"

The oval turning green indicates that your Twitter account is private. Credit: screenshot: twitter

How to send a DM on Twitter on desktop

1. Go to the Twitter website

2. Select "Messages" on the right hand side of the screen or in the lower right hand corner of the screen

Select "Messages." Credit: screenshot: twitter

3. Select the envelope icon to create a new message

Select the envelope icon. Credit: screenshot: twitter

4. Search for the Twitter user you want to dm and select that user

5. Select "Next"

Select "Next." Credit: screenshot: twitter

6. Compose your message and select the arrow in the bottom left hand corner to send it

Select the arrow to send your dm. Credit: screenshot: twitter

If you want to DM someone a tweet, select the arrow below the tweet in the right hand corner. Then select "Send via Direct Message." Search the user you want to dm and select the arrow in the bottom right hand corner to send the tweet via dm.

How to send a DM on the Twitter app

1. Open the Twitter app

2. Select the envelope in the bottom right hand corner

Select the envelope. Credit: screenshot: twitter

3. Select the blue envelope in the lower right hand corner.

Select the blue envelope. Credit: screenshot: twitter

4. Search for the user you want to dm, and select their name.

5. Compose your message and select the arrow in the bottom left hand corner to send it

Select the arrow. Credit: screenshot: twitter

How to search for tweets on desktop

1. Go to the Twitter website

2. Click the search bar in the upper right hand corner

Use the search bar to search for tweets. Credit: screenshot: twitter

3. Type out the tweet you're searching for and hit the enter button

Mashable found that the search function isn't super helpful, so we recommend using Twitter's advanced search option to find a specific tweet. To perform an advanced search, after you search for something select the three dots next to the search bar on the results page. From there you can narrow your search to only, for instance, a certain user, or a certain range of dates, which will yield better results.

How to search for tweets on app

1. Open Twitter app

2. Tap the magnifying glass on the bottom of the screen

Tap the magnifying glass. Credit: screenshot: twitter

3. Type out the tweet you're searching for and select search

Select "search." Credit: screenshot: twitter

You can't perform an advanced search on the app, but you can add search filters after searching something by selecting the lines with circles to the right of the search bar.

How to schedule tweets

To schedule tweets, use TweetDeck. It is currently available as a website, and as a desktop app for Mac.

1. Go to the TweetDeck website or open the TweetDeck desktop app for Mac

2. Select the feather in the upper right hand corner

Select the blue feather icon. Credit: Screenshot: twitter

3. Type out your tweet in the text box

4. Select "Schedule Tweet"

Select "Schedule Tweet." Credit: screenshot: twitter

5. Select date and time you want the tweet to be sent out

6. Select "Tweet at [time you want the tweet to be sent out]"

Use the calendar to schedule your tweet. Credit: screenshot: twitter

How to reply to a tweet

1. Go to the Twitter website or open the Twitter app

2. Select the speech bubble below the tweet you want to reply to

Select the speech bubble to reply to a Tweet. Credit: screenshot: twitter

3. Type out your reply and select "Reply"

Select "Reply" to send out your reply. Credit: screenshot: twitter

How to retweet on Twitter

1. Go to the Twitter website or open the Twitter app

2. Select the two arrows beneath the tweet you want to retweet

Select the two arrows. Credit: screenshot: twitter

3. Select "Retweet"

Select "Retweet." Credit: screenshot: twitter

If the tweet was tweeted by a private account you won't be able to retweet it.

What is a quote tweet

A quote tweet allows you to retweet a tweet with your own choice of text above it, so you are quoting the original tweet and adding context or commentary.

How to quote tweet

1. Go to the Twitter website or open the Twitter app

2. Select the two arrows beneath the tweet you want to quote tweet.

Tap the two arrows. Credit: screenshot: twitter

3. Select "Quote Tweet"

Select "Quote Tweet." Credit: screenshot: twitter

4. Type out your response to the tweet and select "Tweet."

Type out your comment and tap "Tweet." Credit: screenshot: twitter

If the tweet was tweeted by a private account you won't be able to quote tweet it.

How to delete your Twitter account

To delete your Twitter account you have to first deactivate it. When you deactivate your account your username and profile won't be visible on Twitter. Twitter gives you a 30-day period of deactivation during which you can revive your account before Twitter permanently deletes it. If you login to your account before the 30-day period of deactivation is up, you can revive it.